PINOT PARADISE!
A Pinot Noir Tasting from the Santa Cruz Mountains
The "King" of the Region, Pinot Noir,
Reigns Supreme in the Santa Cruz Mountains
This year's Pinot Paradise will showcase the 6 sub-regions of the appellation. To add to the joy of tasting we have broken down the characteristics associated with each of these distinctive areas. A panel of wine experts recorded their findings after a blind tasting of 55 Pinot Noirs.
The wines really do bear the unique signature born of the special soils, weather and vegetation present in each of these distinctive domains. Taste them and see for yourself!
Skyline -The northern end of the appellation in the Woodside areas along Hwy 35.
The coolest part of the AVA. These vineyards can experience dramatic temperature variations.
Flavor Profile : Very floral wines characterized by pronounced acidity and bright, lively fruit; cranberry, guava, cocoa, exotic spice and tobacco.
Saratoga / Los Gatos- Primarily the hilltops above Saratoga and near Lexington Reservoir.
Temperatures are generally moderate, with low daytime highs and few heat spikes, so growing days are long and even.
Flavor Profile : Graceful wines of great balance and depth. Distinct acidity, dense raspberry and dark cherry fruit, along with fresh outdoors qualities of balsam, sage, and juniper.
Summit Road - South of Hwy 17 above Soquel. Has the highest elevation Pinot vineyards in the region(as high as 2600'). Many vineyards have all day sun and are surrounded by scrub oak, pines and high chapparal.
Flavor Profile : The region's most uncompromising, mineral-intense wines. Generally very bold, full-bodied and rich with distinctive cherry, raspberry and pomegranate fruit, and can be quite floral, smokey, with dark chocolate hints.
Santa Cruz Coasta Foothills - Along the Hwy 17 corridor, below the Summit area moving toward Santa Cruz and the coast. Much of the area is called “Vine Hill” for the extensive vineyards that helped establish the Santa Cruz Mountains as a pivotal place in wine history.
Flavor Profile: As a group, these Pinots don't have the level of acidity shown by the Skyline and Saratoga groups, but they do show more minerality. They are voluptuous and bold, a bit sweeter, and quite fruity.
Corralitos/Pleasant Valley- The southernmost end of the region, close to Watsonville . Typically at lower elevations (about 400 to 800) along the coast and with blankets of fog in the early mornings of summer. The dramatic temperature variation creates intense concentrated flavors.
Flavor Profile: The color tends to be brilliant. Hibiscus, rose hips, lilac and nectarine on the nose; root beer, blueberry and cranberry on the palate. The acidity is pronounced but inviting; with well integrated minerality. These are truly graceful, aristocratic wines.
Ben
Lomand Mountain Ben Lomond Mountain (Beauregard Ranch, Bald
Mountain Ranch): The only subappellation in the Santa Cruz Mts.,
Ben Lomond Mountain is about 10 miles northwest of Santa Cruz on a ridge
overlooking the ocean, with vineyards at 1300-1800' elevation. Most of
the roughly 90 acres of vineyard here is owned by Beauregard, with about
40 acres of that planted to Pinot Noir; a few acres of Pinot Noir belong
to McHenry. Soil composition is mostly sand and sandy loam. Vegetation
includes scattered redwood forests and mixed chapparal. Fog greets the
mornings all summer long. And average annual rainfall is over 30”.
Flavor Profile: Complex rhubarb and strawberry aromas laced with
clove, juniper, mustard and truffle. Spicy plum flavors; moderate but
masculine tannins, packed with mineral energy. Generally powerful and
complex, with the characteristic minerality and balanced acidity of the
Santa Cruz Mts.
Pinot Paradise : A Must for the True Pinot Noir Lover
If you love Pinot Noir, you owe it to yourself to attend Pinot Paradise, the 5th annual celebration of Pinot Noir exclusively grown and produced in the Santa Cruz Mountains . This year, the Grand Cruz event will feature over 30 local wineries pouring their best Pinots, accompanied by food from a dozen local gourmet restaurants. The event is held Sunday, March 29, at the beautifully appointed Villa Ragusa ballroom in historic downtown Campbell , in the heart of Silicon Valley .
This is a once a year opportunity to taste some of the finest Pinot Noirs being made in California today, all in one accessible place. Several vintages will be represented, from 2004 to 2007, and the variety of styles is truly a delight to explore. There's something for everyone here.
Accompanying the tasting will be a silent auction and raffle featuring local wines, artisan foods, arts & crafts, winery tours and exotic get-aways. The live auction at the conclusion features heated bidding over double magnums from each winery, plus a sensational one-of-kind Paradise Cuveé, a 5-liter blend of all the best Pinots being poured at the event. Now this is a party in a bottle!
Enjoy Barrel Tasting? Attend Pinot Pathways, Saturday, March 28
On Saturday, March 28, many of the wineries participating in Pinot Paradise will have special barrel samples of Pinots for you to enjoy. Some even have older vintages open so you can do vertical tastings. Tickets for this self-guided tour are $25.
Pathway To Pinot Paradise
Self guided wine tour of the Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir producing wineries. Your chance to taste barrel samples of Pinot Noir at participating wineries, as well as limited library wines at some locations.
For information on guided tour options click here
March 28, 2009
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Participating Wineries
$25 Per Person
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS AT ANY ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING WINERIERS
Grand Cruz Tasting
March 29, 2009
2:00p.m..-5:00p.m.
Villa Ragusa in Historic Downtown Campbell
Ample Parking Available
$65 at the door
Participating Wineries/ Restaurants
Fun
Fact: Did you know that because of the nearby rail
tracks, Campbell became a
hub in the Valley for shipping fruit, "and within a short period of
time, the drying grounds and canneries made Campbell an important rail
center. The Campbell Fruit Growers' Union became a well known
cooperative with its 17-acre drying yard", and the city had three major
canneries. So there's a connection with agriculture and fruit growing,
although it's mostly been paved over now.
VIP Grand Cruz Tasting
March 29, 2009
1:00p.m..-5:00p.m.
$75
Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration - tickets available at the door
Includes preliminary sub regional tour with the winemakers prior to the Grand Cruz tasting.
Includes Grand Cruz tasting.
This program will offer in-depth seminars, by experts in the field, exploring the sub-regions of the Santa Cruz Mountains and their distinct flavor profiles. The session location will be held at Villa Ragusa prior to the Grand Cruz Tasting (lunch not included).
March 29, 2009
$55
Villa Ragusa 9am - 12pm
Reservations Required (831) 685-8463
Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir Winemaker Dinners
PinotFile : Santa Cruz Mountains Part II
Award-Winning Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
More Information About Pinot Noir in the Santa Cruz Mountains
The
Renaissance Grape:
Pinot Noir Raises the Stature of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Appellation America by Laura Ness
Sponsors:
