Early release of the Valentine menu! We’ve decided to keep it classic this year. Cocktail reception will be on the Starlight Veranda, dining will be inside, and its going to be AMAZING.

$95 per person, $85 per wine club member. Very limited seating. Two per table, unless you request group seating. Unfortunately, we will not be adding a second or third night this year. However, we hope to have you join us for the one glorious night.

To RSVP, please call Christina Wright at 951-506-5500 #107

Keep an eye out for the new look.  And thx for your great patience.

But the end of the night found us at the the incredible  515 (pronounced Five Fifteen).   And this place is simply special.  Great people, fantastic environment, and super fun and original events.  They have a truly independent vibe, and they’re undeniable masters of fine spirits and mixology.  Well worth your time.   Think of it as a must do when you are next in Santa Cruz.

A few more pics from our incredible trip.  We didn’t have much time in Paso … so we went to a single winery, the iconic Tablas Creek.  Not a bad wine on the list, just as you’d expect.  Very nice.

Here it the first of a series of posts of some great photos from Joel, our branding guy.  he took on our most recent Being Gringo road trip.  Check them out.  pretty amazing trip, pretty great photos.  First series, Santa Barbara.

Major recommendation:  Tupelo Junction Cafe. I enjoyed an incredibly tasty scramble of smoked bacon, spinach, caramelized onion, tomato & Gouda with a side of house potatoes.

But it was the Spicy Smoked Chipotle & Crab Bloody Mary that offered the perfect finishing touch.  I’m sold — and you should be too.

I returned to the winery to check on fermentations, wind things down, clean up a little and I sipped on an impromptu blend of Cabernet Sauvignon -Syrah 2008.  Its about a 65-35 blend.  A little oak rich (these were barrel samples), but still quite interesting.

Quick note.  The other night sipped and studied on a random sample of a nice Cabernet from Armida Winery, up north.  And I’ll tell you, I was reminded outright that Temecula is simply not Cab country.  Can we make them?  Sure.  Can they be interesting?  Sure.  But can we capture the depth of fine Cab like they can?  Not consistently, no, and not as a stand alone varietal wine.

On the other hand, something special happens down here with both Syrah and Grenache if they’re farmed and crafted with proper care.  These grapes will be our finest, consistent expressions of excellent red wine.  Count on it.

]]> http://www.miramontewinery.com/2009/10/evening-imbibe-2/feed/ 5 http://www.miramontewinery.com/2009/10/evening-imbibe/ http://www.miramontewinery.com/2009/10/evening-imbibe/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:40:37 +0000 Cane http://miramontewinery.com/blog/?p=50 Read More…]]> Sipping on Miramonte Estate Syrah, thinking about the stylistic future of this wine.  Actually made a few impromptu blends, with Cabernet, Four Torch, and Sangiovese.  Just kind of vino doodling. 

Came up moments ago from final punch downs of the EV Mourvedre.  Love the action of harvest, but also looking forward to chance to work normal hours and get some rest.  We can see the finish line, which is good because, I’m pretty much exhausted (although in a good way).