When seven of us got together over wine and food in the bar area at Seascape Beach Resort recently, we made short work of a bottle of Saratoga’s Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay 2013—and promptly ordered another. This is an excellent wine to pair with all kinds of food.
Most of us got there too late for the resort’s Happy Hour—from 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday—so we ordered from the Restless Palate menu created by Chef Mario Garcia. It’s a menu of small bites, like fish tacos ($12), Mad Thai seared scallops ($16) and spicy ahi poke bowl ($16)—plates of food just perfect to share over wine and conversation.
Full, lush tropical fruit dominates this wine’s aromas and flavors. Complex on the palate, it is a premier example of Central Coast Chardonnay. Grapes are harvested from Wolff Vineyard in the bucolic Edna Valley near San Luis Obispo, an ideal grape-growing region that yields the best possible fruit. This Mount Eden Chardonnay can be found in stores all over and sells for about $21 ($30 at Seascape Beach Resort). Mount Eden Vineyards, 888-865-9463. mounteden.com.
Hospice Oktoberfest
As well as an abundance of interesting items to bid on, including artwork, restaurant gift certificates, weekend getaways, tickets to sporting events, and more, the annual Friends of Hospice Oktoberfest always has an amazing selection of wines in its silent auction. Treat yourselves to some tasty German-style food, like sausages and sauerkraut, enjoy Bavarian music, and a wonderful live auction, which includes trips, jewelry and a dinner with wine donated by Mike Termini of Triad Electric. Remember what a worthy fundraiser this is, with all proceeds going to Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley. Visit Hospicesantacruz.org/Oktoberfest. Admission is free.
Celebrate Harvest at Burrell School
Freshly shucked oysters by Bill the Oyster Man and live music by Menage, playing jazzy tunes with guitar, mandolin, ukulele, and vocals. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Regular tasting fees apply. Burrell School Vineyards, 24060 Summit Road, Los Gatos, 408-353-6290. burrellschool.com
