Sauvignon Blanc 2009
One of my favorite places to go for lunch is the Crow’s Nest. It has a bright and cheerful interior as the sun pours through every window, the view looking out to the harbor is magnificent, and the food is always splendid. And they have a pretty good wine list as well.
As 12 of us gathered for lunch to celebrate a friend’s birthday, I ordered a bottle of Morgan Sauvignon Blanc ($30) to get things going and whet our appetites – not that much of either was really needed.
Produced and bottled by Morgan Winery in Salinas, this flexible wine goes perfectly with the excellent seafood and shellfish served up by the Crow’s Nest, or the fresh greens from the restaurant’s mountainous salad bar. With its lively tropical fruit flavors, bright acidity, and aromas of pink grapefruit, ginger and sweet grass, this delightful Sauvignon Blanc is a good match for spicy cuisine as well. And oak aging adds a further element of complexity to this vibrant wine. Winery owner Dan Morgan Lee and winemaker Gianni Abate certainly know their stuff.
Morgan Winery, Salinas. (831) 751-7777. morganwinery.com. Crow’s Nest, 2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560.
Wine Events
Shut Up, Skinny Bitches! GT Editor Greg Archer hosts a discussion and reads from his new health and wellness book, “Shut Up, Skinny Bitches! (The Common Sense Guide to Following Your Hunger and Your Heart)” at Capitola Book Cafe. Wine from Hunter Hill and cheese from Whole Foods will be served. 7:30 p.m. Thursday March 3, 1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 462-4415.
Pelican Ranch Winner is celebrating the opening of its tasting room in a brand new building. There will be light hors d’oeuvres and complimentary wine tasting from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 – and a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by the Capitola Chamber of Commerce. 102, Kennedy Drive, Capitola, 462-6911, pelicanranch.com.
Winemaker Dinner with Vine Hill Winery
Sanderlings Restaurant at Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos is the splendid venue for a winemaker dinner on Tuesday, March 8, featuring Vine Hill Winery. Executive Chef Boris Ilabaca has an exciting menu planned. Cost is $75 (includes tax and gratuity). Reservations required: 662-7120.
Release Party at Loma Prieta Winery
Loma Prieta Winery is releasing its “bodacious” Petite Sirah, the winery’s first ever, on March 12 and 13. Join them for a tasting celebration from noon to 5 p.m. 26985 Loma Prieta Way, Los Gatos, (408) 353-2950, lomaprietawinery.com. (Loma Prieta is also participating in a Summit Surprise event on March 13 with the newly formed group of Summit to Sea wineries. Info: summit2seawinetrail.com.)
