Kissed By An Angel Wines is a relatively new operation. I first tasted their wines just a short time ago when they were pouring at an event.
Winery owners Larry and Lisa Olivo don’t have their own tasting room, but have set up shop in the Heavenly Roadside Café in Scotts Valley—where they pour their wines every weekend.
Larry is a third-generation winemaker, but the first in his family to market commercially. His “Charismatic” Cabernet Franc 2011 ($32), made from a bountiful harvest in Amador County, is a seraphic mouthful of distinctive taste with sweet aromas of plum and violets. Low-tannin and food-friendly, this well-made Cab Franc also reveals exotic flavors of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, and cocoa.
KBAA is open from 1:30-5:30 p.m. most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Heavenly Roadside Cafe, but it’s best to check in advance, as a couple of private events are in the works.
Tragically, the Olivos’ daughter Amanda passed away in 2007 at the age of 22, and Kissed By An Angel is so named to honor her memory. Visit kissedbyanangelwines.com or call 234-6253 for more info.
Wine Events
The inaugural Aptos Wine Wander takes place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 14 with around a dozen wineries participating. Visit scmwa.com for info and tickets. Downtown Santa Cruz Wine Walk takes place 3-6 p.m., Sunday, May 15. Local wineries are hosted in downtown locations. Passes and glasses at Soif Wine Bar & Merchants, and advance tickets online at downtownsantacruz.com
Jazz with a Twist
Jazz with a Twist will be playing at Aptos’ cozy Cantine Winepub from 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 13. Head to Aptos Village to taste some good wine and soak up the dulcet sounds of Joan Lowden on bass and vocals—singing as a duo with guitarist Carl Atilano—and percussion by Michael Strunk. Jazz with a Twist plays regularly at local venues such as It’s Wine Tyme in Capitola, Crow’s Nest, Bocci’s Cellar, and the Jack O’Neill Lounge in the Dream Inn— all in Santa Cruz, as well as Ella’s at the Airport in Watsonville. What could be nicer than listening to some cool jazz, glass of wine in hand? Visit basslady.com or email [email protected] for more information.
.Kissed By An Angel Wines
