Jerold O’Brien has been in the wine business for a long time. As owner and winemaker at Silver Mountain Vineyards, the expertise he has garnered over the years permeates every bottle of wine he produces. His was probably the first certified organic vineyard in the county—back when hardly anybody knew the meaning of the term “organic.” O’Brien’s estate-grown Chardonnay grapes are all organic and the wine produced from this quality fruit is superb.
But of all the different wines that O’Brien makes, his Alloy is perhaps the most popular. A Bordeaux-style blend of red grapes, the Alloy is a robust and delicious wine that’s easy to pair with many different kinds of food. The 2008 Alloy blend ($28), sourced from different vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains, contains 38 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 percent Merlot, 21 percent Cabernet Franc and 14 percent Petit Verdot—and O’Brien always gets it just right. Robust flavors of ripe cherry and fig, and a hint of cinnamon on the nose are a touch exotic, and the cassis, white pepper, cedar and tobacco on the finish make for a really delightful red wine with medium tannins. It’s drinkable now but will also age beautifully.
Silver Mountain Vineyards has two spots for you to taste their wines: 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 466-0559. Open noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday in the winter; and the winery off of Old San Jose Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains is open every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Info: silvermtn.com.
Patti’s ’70s-Era Disco Dance Party
Well-known local realtor Patti Boe called me about a Disco Dance Party she is putting on from 7-11 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 at the Cocoanut Grove. “I want to give back to the community,” she says, “so I’m throwing a party.” Tickets are $40 and all proceeds from the party will go to local nonprofit organizations Second Harvest Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County. So if you’re into disco, funk, punk and reggae—and dressing in ’70s gear—then this is the party for you. Info: pattiboe.com/party
Loma Prieta Winery
The Loma Prieta Fire & Rescue Department, which serves the Summit area, is raising money to purchase a brand-new—and much-needed—water tender. They have a matching fund grant for $150,000 and are in need of another $30,000 to reach their goal. Loma Prieta Winery is holding a sale on Feb. 21 and 22, on their award-winning Pinotage to help raise money—and a portion of the proceeds goes to the Fire & Rescue Dept. Loma Prieta Winery is at 26985 Loma Prieta Way, Los Gatos, 408-353-2950. Visit the website for the winery’s location, as exact directions are given, and enjoy the panoramic view of the Monterey Bay from Loma Prieta’s patio. It’s stunning. lomaprietawinery.com
