Petit Sirah 2011
Katie Fox, winemaker at Vino Tabi, was showcasing her wines recently at an impressive six-course winemaker’s dinner at Lago di Como Restaurant in Santa Cruz. Not only was the food outstanding, but also the wines poured that evening were superb.
The 2011 Petit Sirah, Santa Cruz Mountains ($28) was featured with Nodino di vitello alla crèma di Gorgonzola—a veal chop served with a Gorgonzola and cream sauce—and a perfect pairing.
“It’s a Santa Cruz grape from Saveria Vineyard in Corralitos,” says Fox, “where they grow a wonderful Petit Sirah. It has ripe plum and black cherry and a little leather. And the slight menthol aroma reminds us of a soft breeze from a redwood forest.”
Fox says the Petit Sirah goes really well with barbecue, or any kind of meat, for that matter. “It has a touch of white pepper, so that would complement a lot of dishes—that little bit of spice,” she says.
Vino Tabi has now added food plates to the wine-tasting experience so that customers have something to munch on. A Small Plate is $7 and consists of assorted cheese, crackers, gourmet nuts and dried fruit; a Large Plate is $10 with the addition of cured salami; and a Snack Bowl is $5 with mixed nuts and dried fruit blend. Customers can take their children into the tasting room and there is plenty of seating. Dog lovers can take Fido along as well.
There’s music every Friday evening and some Saturdays and Sundays as well. And don’t miss Alisa Rose singing Celtic songs and ballads from 2-4 p.m. on March 16 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It’s time to get your green on.
Vino Tabi Winery, 334 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 426-1809. Vino-tabi-wine.com.
Vino Tabi and West End Tap & Kitchen
If you buy a bottle of wine at Vino Tabi in the Swift Street Courtyard complex, you can take it next door to West End Tap and there’s no corkage fee. This also applies to other wineries in the same building as West End Tap & Kitchen at 334 Ingalls Street—MJA Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard and Sones Cellars.
Cabrillo College Farm-to-Table Dinner
Students in the culinary program at Cabrillo College will be preparing a four-course feast featuring Watsonville-based Belle Farms, makers of olive oil, and Fiesta Farms organic chickens. Silver Mountain Vineyards will be pouring their wonderful wines. The event begins at 6 p.m. with passed hors d’oeuvres, and dinner served at 6:30 p.m. $65 per person includes wine, dinner and meet and greet with farmers and winemaker. Call 479-6524 for reservations, and visit Facebook to see the menu. The dinner will be held on Friday, March 7 in the Sesnon House, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.
