Poetic Cellars is a wonderful winery to visit over Valentine’s weekend. With its romantic overtones and interesting wines, not the least of which is the Merlot 2008, a bottle of Poetic Cellars wine would make a great gift—or to open up over a special dinner with your Valentine.
The 2008 Merlot is very aromatic with lots of plum, blackberry and currant flavors. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, plum and a hint of chocolate make this an all-round voluptuous experience on the palate. It’s available at the winery or at Vinocruz for about $30.
Poetic Cellars will also be releasing a new wine for Valentine’s Day. It’s called Heavenly Ballad ($35)—and is a blend of one third Cabernet Sauvignon, one third Merlot, and one third Cabernet Franc. The bottle will have a special Valentine label on the front and a love poem on the back. As Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday when the tasting room is not open, the wine will be available the weekend before on Feb. 8 and 9 as well as Feb. 15 and 16. Poetic Cellars will also be offering a Valentine’s Day Special: two bottles of 2010 Pinot Noir for $49—normally priced at $70. This Pinot will have a special label and poem also, as will a 2010 Mirage, a 2008 Mourvedre, a 2007 Reserve Syrah, a 2007 Syrah, and a 2008 Reserve Petit Sirah.
Poetic Cellars, 5000 N. Rodeo Gulch Road, Soquel. 462-3478. poeticcellars.com. Tasting room is open noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Valentine’s Day
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to get organized and plan something special for your sweetie. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday, why not take the bull by the horns and celebrate the whole weekend. Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Big Sur are right on our doorstep, and it’s a pleasant change of scenery to head a few miles south and stay overnight. Closer to home, The Haute Enchilada restaurant and social club in Moss Landing is putting on a pop-up concert with Los Angeles-based musician Haroula Rose from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14—and tickets are only $10. Visit hauteenchilada.com.
Valentine’s Day at the Kuumbwa
Longtime favorites Tuck & Patti will be appearing at Kuumbwa Jazz on Friday, Feb. 14—and the Kuumbwa kitchen will be serving up dinner as well on this celebratory occasion, including a special dessert of Chocolate Torte with cream and berries. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. An advance reservation of concert and dinner ($72) gets you a reserved table. Tickets for the show only are $35 or $40 at the door. Visit kuumbwajazz.org for more info.
