Made under Hahn Family Wines, the SLH 2019 Pinot Noir ($30) is really delicious. All the grapes for this wine come from the family estate in the Santa Lucia Highlands—an American Viticultural Area located in Monterey County.
Their winemaker chooses only a limited number of barrels to carry the SLH name, and the wine made is guaranteed to be a superior mouthful of vino.
This rich and velvety Pinot Noir shows notes of black cherry and crushed red plums with hints of earthiness and toasty oak. Wine Enthusiast awarded this flavorful red wine 90 points in November 2021.
Hahn SLH wines showcase their four prized Santa Lucia Highlands estate vineyards: Lone Oak, Smith, Doctor’s and Hook.
“Only a few barrels of each varietal are deemed worthy of these select blends and are chosen to showcase the appellation’s forward aromatics, rich mouthfeel, distinct mineralogy and beautifully balanced acidity.”
The Sun, Wind and Wine Festival celebrates 30 years of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. Hahn Family Wines participates in the May 14 event held at the beautiful Mer Soleil Winery in Salinas—usually not open to the public. santaluciahighlands.com.
Hahn Estate Tasting Room, 37700 Foothill Road, Soledad (there’s another location in Carmel). 831-678-4555. hahnwines.com.
Gayle’s Bakery’s Hot Cross Buns
Gayle’s Bakery & Rosticceria makes traditional Easter hot cross buns—something I love and grew up with in England. Very few pastry shops are making these now, so I’m thrilled that Gayle’s in Capitola still bakes them for a few weeks leading up to Easter. These lightly sweet yeast buns contain raisins, currants and candied fruit. Before baking, a cross is slashed into the top of the bun—the cross is later filled with icing. If you haven’t tried one, head to Gayle’s! Also, try hamantaschen, a triangle-shaped cookie made during the Jewish holiday of Purim, which recently ended March 17. A percentage of Gayle’s sales goes to help Ukraine. gaylesbakery.com.
