The 2008 Gold Stripe Chardonnay is a take-anywhere, eat-with-everything kind of wine. It’s drinkable, delicious—and very reasonably priced at less than $15. Ventana Vineyards is a successful, popular winery. Their wines are always in demand, they can be found in most wine stores and supermarkets, and the label boasts that they are “The most award-winning vineyard in America.”
The grapes for the 2008 Gold Stripe Chardonnay come from hand-selected vines from their sustainably grown Arroyo Seco estate vineyard in Monterey County. Tropical fruit flavors and delicate winemaking techniques combine to create a wine of fine balance and lingering complexity. When looking for a good Chardonnay that’s not going to break the bank—then this wine fits the bill. A new release full of lively tropical flavors of pineapple and mango – with notes of pear, lemon and a light vanilla finish—it has a fresh and luscious taste that would please the palate of most white wine lovers.
Located on the west side of the Salinas Valley, Ventana Vineyard has the perfect combination of water, soil and climate to produce excellent award-winning wines. Doug Meador, a legend in the world of California wine, started the site in 1974—planting a range of varietals that he knew would be successful. The winery now produces about 15 varieties of wine—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Syrah being among the most popular.
Ventana Vineyards is putting on a splendid event in the fall, a Feast in the Field dinner at their Le Mistral Vineyard on Saturday, Oct. 16. Check their website for more information.
Ventana Vineyards Tasting Room: 2999 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Monterey. 831-372-7415. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (until 5 p.m. in winter). Ventanawines.com.
Taste of the Harbor
The third annual Taste of the Harbor will take place on Thursday, Sept. 9 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Hosted by Intero Real Estate Service, the event will take place at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and will involve a raffle and live music by local artists Danjuma & Onola. We can look forward to food from harbor-area restaurants, and wine will be from local wineries such as Ventana Vineyards and Vine Hill Winery—with Cava Wine Bar in Capitola Village providing some delicious champagne. All proceeds go to the Intero Foundation to benefit the O’Neill Sea Odyssey. Info: tasteoftheharbor.com.
Gourmet Grazing on the Green
Mark your calendars for the 7th annual Gourmet Grazing on the Green in Aptos Village Park on Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy locally grown, organic delights prepared by the area’s finest chefs and accompanied by a delicious selection of local wines. It’s put on by the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group and tickets can be bought online at sccbg.org. Tickets are also on sale at New Leaf Community Markets.
