Villa del Monte’s 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful mouthful of wine. A single-varietal, single-vineyard 100 percent Cab from the Four Sisters Ranch in northern Paso Robles AVA—it’s aged for 18 months in both French and American oak barrels. Bursting with dark fruit flavors of deep red cherries, black currants, blueberries, and black plums, it’s a muscular Cab from winemakers John Overstreet and Neil Perrelli. Swirl this Cab ($34) around in your glass and you’ll get enticing aromas of cedar, toast, tobacco, and a touch of coffee, followed by those stalwart Cab flavors of licorice, bell pepper, tobacco, and spice. All you need now is some hearty fare to go with it.
Villa del Monte will be open for tasting on June 24 and 25, and for the Passport event on July 15. It’s a small boutique winery and well worth a visit. Wine-tasting flights are $5 per person, refundable with purchase.
Villa del Monte Winery, 23076 Summit Road, Los Gatos, 408-353-0995 or 888-788-4583. villadelmontewinery.com.
SunRidge Farms New Snacks
SunRidge Farms has some terrific new organic snacks out on the market. Try the Super Greens Energy Chews; Chocolate Maca Energy Chews; and Coffee Almond Energy Chews. I always keep what I call “emergency supplies” in my car—healthy food which I need after tennis, Zumba, Pilates, yoga, or just something good to munch on while I’m driving around—and these SunRidge chews fit the bill. SunRidge is a local company and you can find their produce in most health food stores. Visit sunridgefarms.com for more info.
Deer Park Wine & Spirits
Looking for a wine-tasting experience that’s very affordable? Then head to Deer Park Wine & Spirits for one of their 4-7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday events. Wine tasting starts at about $3, depending on the wines being poured. Check the website for information or get on their email list. Deer Park Wine & Spirits (next to Deluxe Foods), 783 Rio del Mar Blvd., #27, Aptos, 688-1228. deerparkwines.com.
