Pelican Ranch’s Rosé of Zinfandel ($24) is a wine to savor any time.
Harvested from “Gold Country” grapes, this almost-raspberry-colored wine is full of flavor. It’s an easy-drinking wine that’s good to have on hand when you plonk down in a chair after a day’s work, or carry with you for a picnic in the woods. It comes with a screw cap—so it’s handy for travel, too. Pelican Ranch describes it as classic dry pink style, with fresh strawberry and rose petal nose—recommended to serve chilled with rich pizza.
Owners Phil and Peggy Crews moved their tasting room from Capitola several months ago, and the fact that customers can now sit outside their tasting room during the pandemic is a major draw. It’s important to read their Covid-19 rules before you go as Pelican Ranch goes all-out to make sure they follow the guidelines of social distancing and wearing masks. Although the winery does not serve food, you are welcome to bring your own snacks—a definite plus when you’re enjoying a flight of five or six wines. Reservations are recommended but not required.
A drive down Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valley takes you to Pelican Ranch Winery. Awaiting you among the redwoods is a beautiful spot surrounded by vines—where some good wines are there for the tasting. As well as the Rosé of Zinfandel, they make a regular Zinfandel and a Late Harvest Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Pinotage, Rosé of Syrah, and white wines, too.
Pelican Ranch Winery, 2364 Bean Creek Road, Scotts Valley. 831-426-6911, pelicanranch.com.
Twisted Roots Vineyards Supports Animal Friends Rescue Project
Twisted Roots will be donating a portion of the proceeds from its tasting room sales on Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 18 to the AFRP. Twisted Roots is situated in Carmel Valley and is a lovely winery to visit. Try their well-made wines and their new hard cider, too. It’s lightly carbonated, low in sugar and full of apple flavor.
Twisted Roots, 12 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley. 831-594,8282, twistedrootsvineyard.com.
