If you love dessert wine, then you will go nuts over Beauregard Vineyards Late Harvest Riesling, 2011. For a mere $20, you can have yourself a bottle of mouthwatering nectar—perfectly produced by experienced winemaker Ryan Beauregard.
Made with fruit harvested from the Dunnigan Hills AVA in Yolo County in November 2011, the grapes were infected with botrytis cinerea, the “noble rot,” which removes water from the grapes, leaving behind a higher percentage of sugars, fruit acids and minerals. The Late Harvest is a blend of 85 percent Riesling and 15 percent Ribolla Gialla, a white Italian grape grown most prominently in northeast Italy. The result is a pretty, golden-colored wine awash with honeysuckle and nectarine. Flavors of mango and orange blossom add to the enormous appeal of this delightful drink, which has just the right amount of natural sweetness. Although many would serve it as an after-dinner drink, I like to drink this wine on its own to satisfy my sweet tooth. It’s just delicious chilled, and a splendid pairing with cheese and fruit.
If you’re a wine club member at Beauregard Vineyards, you’ll be privy to all the fun member events they hold throughout the year. Or, you can just visit their Lost Weekend Tasting Room to try out the Late Harvest Riesling and all of their other wines as well. Beauregard Vineyards will also be participating in the Capitola Art & Wine Festival on Sept. 12 and 13.
Beauregard Vineyards, 10 Pine Flat Road, Bonny Doon, 425-7777, beauregardvineyards.com.
Camellia Tea House
Springing up in what was formerly the Quail and Thistle Tea Room in Capitola is the brand new Camellia Tea House. English-style tea is still being served, as well as a much broader selection of other kinds of tea, too. Owner Jenny Rashe is from Peru and has lived in Argentina, so we can look forward to food with a Latin twist. Saturdays are Tapas Night with flamenco music—with a grand opening set for July 11. Rashe gives Table Etiquette Workshops if you want to learn more about the art of tea. The Camellia Tea House is at 911 Capitola Ave., Capitola, 477-1798.
Hindquarter Bar & Grille
After finishing up some hefty Good Times issues, including a couple of special issue magazines, we celebrated as we always do—with food and wine! The staff met at Hindquarter Bar & Grille, where we feasted on appetizers, entrees, wine, beer, and cocktails. Although the Hindquarter is famous for its mouthwatering steaks, pork chops and other meats, I had freshly caught king salmon, which was truly delicious. Hindquarter Bar & Grille, 303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com
