The Surf City Vintners group of wineries on the westside of Santa Cruz announces the 2nd 'semester' of the Surf City Wine 'University' series of wine appreciation classes. The first one is a Harvest & Crush Tour this Sunday, Oct. 9. Find details on all the classes on the website at www.surfcityvintners.com. The first 'semester' (series) earlier this year was so successful that the we decided to do it again, this time with some different topics.
This Harvest & Crush Tour this Sunday is a great opportunity to see harvest in action in one of our local vineyards - and even get to harvest some grapes. Transportation will be provided by The Santa Cruz Experience, and the vineyard destination will be Vine Hill. Then, the group returns to Surf City Vintners where they will tour the wineries and see crush in action, talk with the winemakers, get to taste the fresh juice and do some wine tasting. The tour includes transportation, wine tasting and a box lunch - all for only $45. The Tour is 11:00-4:00 and leaves from the parking lot at 427 Swift St. where Equinox and Copious are located. Must be at least 21 to participate.
The additional classes are:
- November 13: Wine Tasting 101 with Jimmie Moore, Bonny Doon Vineyard
- December 11: Sparkling Wine, with Barry Jackson, Equinox Champagne Cellars
- January 15, 2012: Bordeaux Wines, with Mikael Wargin, MJA Vineyards
- February 26, 2012: History of the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Region, with Jeff Emery, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard; Jerold O'Brien, Silver Mountain; and Michael Sones, Sones Cellars.
These classes are held Sundays, 12:00-2:00 at the instructor winemaker’s tasting room/winery. Individual classes are $30 each; $25 for wine club members of any of the Surf City wineries; except the Harvest Tour which is $45. Those signing up for all five classes will receive a tasting card to all Surf City wineries valued at $60. Any of the Surf City tasting rooms will take registrations. More information and details are at www.surfcityvintners.com.
The Surf City Vintners group of 12 boutique wineries and tasting rooms offers a vibrant urban wine tasting experience. The individual wineries are in close proximity on the Westside of Santa Cruz on Ingalls Street, Swift Street, and the Old Sash Mill, most in renovated warehouse spaces. The area has become a hip example of urban renewal. The wineries showcase the wines of a group of leading winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and are small, family-owned and operated local businesses. Visitors often meet and talk directly with the winemakers. The Surf City Vintners wineries include: Bonny Doon Vineyard; Copious Winery; Equinox Champagne Cellar; Hillcrest Terrace Winery; MJA Vineyards; Odonata Wines; Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard (including Quinta Cruz); Silver Mountain; Sones Cellars; Storrs Winery and Vineyards; Trout Gulch Vineyards; Vine Hill Winery, Vino Tabi.
