Chardonnay 2008
Lindwood’s Bar & Grill at Chaminade puts on a great Happy Hour. Meeting up with friends at this lovely resort is always a pleasure—especially in the more casual setting of Linwood’s. Happy Hour features all drinks for $5. And the good news is that Daylight Saving Time starts on March 11 so we can now enjoy longer days on the outdoor terrace of Chaminade. Watching the sun set on the horizon—glass of wine in hand—is one of life’s pleasures, so we take our bottle of Pelican Ranch Chardonnay outside because there are plenty of heaters and a glowing fire pit for extra warmth.
The Dry Creek Valley, Kreck Vineyard Chardonnay ($24 at Pelican Ranch tasting room), has wonderful fruity aroma and a lemony edge. Its rich citrus flavor and smooth finish make it an easy quaffable wine any day of the week, but with our plate of various cheeses and a few other hors d’oeuvres, it’s a perfect match. Winemaker Phil Crews gets it right every time. And he made the bold move of doing screw caps on many of his wines, so this is one to take on a picnic. There’s nothing worse than forgetting the corkscrew.
Linwood’s Bar & Grill, Chaminade Resort & Spa, One Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, 475-5600. Chaminade.com. Happy Hour is Tuesday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. with small plates available – and live jazz music featured on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m.
Wine Wednesdays at Seascape Resort
Seascape Resort continues with its fun Wine Wednesdays—featuring a different winery every week. Enjoy a flight of wine and some tapas for $15 per person from 5:30-7 p.m. Sanderlings Restaurant Atrium, One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos, 662-7120. Sanderlingsrestaurant.com.
Cava Wine Bar
Friday nights at Cava is the hot place to go. Cava has started up its Friday night food again—promising all kinds of delicious fare. That and live jazz—well, you can’t go wrong. Live music and a $5 glass of wine is a bargain on Thursday nights; and Jazz & Juice on Wednesdays is presented by Steve’s Jazz Kitchen—when you can also enjoy a bottle of wine with a 30 percent discount. Cava, 115 San Jose Ave., Capitola, 475-2282. Cavacapitola.com.
Jazz in the Cellars Bargetto Winery’s
Jazz in the Cellars happens every Friday until March 30 with live music from 6-8 p.m. Wine is by the glass and food is available for purchase. It all takes place in Bargetto’s historic cellars—so dress warmly. No cover. Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel, 475-2258. Bargetto.com.
