Santa Cruz Mountains-grown Syrah, plus a weeknight revelry
Sipping on wines from Burrell School Vineyards & Winery on a warm fall night under the stars is a splendid experience, especially when you have winemaker Dave Moulton in full-throttle mode, capturing everybody’s attention with his vivid tales of producing wine for 50 years, and eliciting much laughter from the merry throng of diners. Along with Dave’s wife Anne Moulton, who has also been involved with their winery for just as many decades, an entertaining night was had by all at a winemaker’s dinner on Casa Nostra Ristorante’s cozy outdoor patio. Participants enjoyed five courses of delicious Italian food paired with five superb wines from Burrell School Vineyards. A canopy provides shelter at these regularly held dinners, and plenty of heaters keep folks warm and toasty.
Moulton’s wines are a force to be reckoned with, and the 2010 Syrah ($30)—a deep and concentrated Syrah with lush berry flavors and mineral accents—is no exception. Grapes are from the Estate Pichon Vineyard, located on the slopes of Mount Umunhum above Lexington Reservoir in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where this Syrah was ripened to perfection. All of Moulton’s wines have a “school” theme, in honor of the 1890 school house where he nurtures his estate vines and handcrafts distinctive wine. This Syrah is called “Spring Break.”
When you visit Burrell School’s tasting room, walk around the property and take in the historic red school house that appears on their labels. It’s absolutely charming.
Burrell School Vineyards, 24060 Summit Road, Los Gatos, 408-353-6290. burrellschool.com.
Wine Wednesdays
Wine Wednesdays at Seascape Beach Resort start up again for the winter/spring season on Jan. 6. Featured every week from 5:30-7 p.m. is a flight of wine from a different winery, and the $18 cost includes a delicious plate of tapas. Info: seascaperesort.com.
SCHOOLHOUSE STOCK The iconic Burrell School, which appears on the wine labels of Burrell School Winery and Vineyards, was built in 1890. PHOTO: BURRELLSCHOOL.COM
