Good Bottle of Riesling
Six of us went camping in Big Basin State Park recently. It’s a short drive from Santa Cruz – and there’s nothing like a good dose of fresh air to boost the appetite. And sitting round a campfire under majestic redwoods is simple pleasure at its best. We all gathered on Friday evening and pooled our food and drink for that night’s dinner. I had taken a bottle of Otter Cove Riesling 2007, Santa Lucia Highlands – a nice light wine to go with a late afternoon meal under the redwoods.
I first tasted Otter Cove Riesling at Vino Prima on the Municipal Wharf when the wine bar’s owner, Larry Jackson, handed me some to try. Apples, figs and honey flavors leap out of the glass of this refreshing, dry wine – and who can resist a bottle with two cute otters on the label.
Otter Cove owner and winemaker Richard Oh started making wine about 15 yrs ago, and formed Otter Cove about six years ago. “I love what I do,” says Oh. “It brings joy to others. Seeing them smile and sharing a bottle. It’s really great to see.”
Otter Cove will be the featured wine at a winemaker’s dinner on Sept. 1 at Lallapalooza restaurant in downtown Monterey. Food and wine will be paired and Oh will showcase his range of wines such as Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.
Otter Cove is in the process of setting up a tasting room in the area soon. Check the website for upcoming events and tastings: ottercovewines.com. Contact the winemaker at 831-320-3520 or Ri*****@ot************.com.
Wine Events
Join MJA Vineyards for “Thank CAB it’s Friday” on Aug. 20 and Aug. 27. MJA is offering 10 percent off any Cab; and DaVine Cellars (an offshoot of MJA) has a buy two get one free offer on Cabernet.
MJA’s next Wine Cellar Cinema is Saturday, Aug. 21, when they’ll be showing A Good Year. Wine tasting and dinner at 6:30 p.m., movie starts at 8 p.m. Call to RSVP – and prepayment of $20 is required to hold a seat.
MJA Vineyards, 328-A Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 421-9380. mjavineyards.com. Info: Cathy Bentley, tasting room manager, Ca****@MJ**********.com.
The Summit to Sea wineries – Burrell School, Hunter Hill, Loma Prieta, Poetic Cellars and Vine Hill – will be celebrating a Rhône wine tasting and food pairing at each winery on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 during tasting room hours. Cost: $5 for food and wine pairing. Info: (408) 395-0965.
