After a busy January, with house guests from Spain for almost two weeks and throwing a party of 30 people for them and friends from France, my husband and I decided to hightail it to Carmel for a bit of a break. One of our favorite places to stay is the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, not only because accommodation is superb, but also because it’s home to one of our favorite restaurants, Pacific’s Edge. Sophisticated food and an impressive wine list make this restaurant a draw for visitors from far and wide—and it’s literally on the edge of the Pacific Ocean as its name implies.
An extensive wine list offers a vast selection from all over the world and in all price ranges. We ordered a Joullian Vineyards 2014 Sauvignon Blanc for $48, and from a local Carmel Valley winery. Since we both ordered fish, this was a perfect libation to pair with my sea bass and my husband’s scallops—both entrees superbly cooked and delicious.
Joullian’s Carmel Valley hillside vineyard produces outstanding white wines, including this Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc—which is also a good match for a variety of shellfish and moderately spicy Asian cuisine.
Made by Joullian’s winemaker and general manager Ridge Watson, this fragrant and richly textured wine is pure pleasure to drink, and I loved the hint of honeysuckle and earthy minerality that perks up the taste buds.
Joullian was bought a couple of years ago by Jane and Tom Lerum from the original owners, and the Lerums’ plan is “to build on the winery’s historical success by maintaining a laser-like focus on crafting exceptional wines … and developing plans to expand Joullian’s operations.”
Sharing a dessert of tangy lemon cake, we polished off the rest of the bottle. After all, we didn’t have far to walk to our room.
Joullian Vineyards, 2 Village Drive, Carmel Valley, 659-8100. joullian.com. Tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the Breadbox
In the Breadbox opened a gluten-free bakery-café and take-out deli at the end of January. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., they offer breakfast sandwiches, bagels, quiche, muffins, pizzas, breads, and hamburger buns—all gluten-free. The take-out counter sells prepared meals such as lasagna and chicken pot pies. Sounds delicious! 2890 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 316-4611. inthebreadbox.com
