Winemakers John Overstreet and Neil Perrelli have been involved in making wine at their Villa del Monte Winery for a very long time, and the wines get better and better. Theirs is not a big operation, and their tasting room in the Santa Cruz Mountains is a rustic and laid-back site. But all are welcome to their boutique winery, and they gladly invite you to try their well-made wines.
Their 2022 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay ($25) is particularly impressive with its lovely aromatic notes of pome fruits with some banana and pineapple. Flavors of apple, pear and smidgeons of citrus fruit and hazelnut add depth and charm to this medium-bodied white wine.
They also make Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, and an extraordinary wine called Vintner’s Select Special Blend. And the Zinfandel Dessert Wine, where grapes are left on the vine to naturally raise the sugar, is simply delicious.
Villa del Monte Winery, 23076 Summit Road, Los Gatos, 408-353-0995. Check their website for opening dates. Villadelmontewinery.com
Everything’s Coming Up Rosés
The Italian company Ponti has produced a Rosé wine vinegar that is a perfect dressing for salads – adding bright color and freshness. Ponti takes the freshest and most fragrant Rosé wines and skillfully turns them into vinegar. Voila! Something different to add to your lettuce and tomatoes. Ponti.com
Downtown Santa Cruz Fall Wine Walk
Tickets are on sale for the Downtown Santa Cruz Fall Wine Walk. This rain-or-shine wine tasting is hosted by local businesses – with a good variety of wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains to try out. At check-in you will receive a commemorative glass, map and info. The event is 2-5pm Sunday, Nov.12. Visit downtownsantacruz.com for more information.
