Fans of well-aged wines should head to Burrell School on Summit Road for a selection of oldies from winemaker Dave Moulton’s library collection, including the sensational 2006 Spring Break Syrah from Pichon Estate, a vineyard above the Lexington Reservoir. The 2013 Dean’s List Cabernet Sauvignon is showing well, with dark raspberry, lavender and juniper and velvety tannins. The 2012 and 2013 PTA Pinot Noirs, which each spent two years in 100% new French oak, are still filled with plenty of barrel spice and toast.
Burrell School is hosting Summer Solstice in the Vineyard June 21, the second in a series of tastings in Burrell’s vineyard, with vines in full bloom and clusters of grapes maturing under the warm sun. Learn about the process of veraison, where the grapes change color and begin to ripen. Enjoy a wine tasting paired with gourmet bites that highlight the best of the season’s produce. Tickets are $40 at https://burrellschool.com.
Further down Summit Road on Loma Prieta Avenue, Lago Lomita Vineyards is open weekends in June for pizza, wine, cornhole and spectacular Monterey Bay views. It’s also an opportunity to pick up pinot grigio and pinot noir on sale for Father’s Day. Reservations are $25 at lagolomita.com.
In another part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, David Bruce Winery is holding a tasting of current releases on June 14, noon-4 p.m. Tickets are $20 for members and $40 for non-members. RSVP required to https://davidbrucewinery.com.
Santa Cruz Mountains Passport Day, set for June 21, features wineries open throughout the region. In downtown Los Gatos, Passport locations include Gali Vineyards, The Pastaria (hosting Kings Mountain Vineyards) and Saison Cellar. On the Summit, Burrell School, Silver Mountain and Wrights Station will participate. Tickets are $90-$150 at https://winesofthesantacruzmountains.com/events.
The Tasting House Los Gatos has three solid “backyard” wines in their June Wine Club that are attention-worthy, including the robust 2021 Moose Mountain Tannat from Morgan Hill, the 2020 Seabold Mourvedre from old vines that Dick Graff planted at Chalone in the 1970s (now Rodnick.farm vineyard) and the seamless 2022 Alta Collina Old 900 Syrah/Viognier co-ferment made by winemaker Molly Lonborg (who has since departed for Booker), from a stunningly steep Westside Paso Robles property planted by former HP executive Bob Tillman. Sign up for a tasting club at https://www.tastinghouse.com.
Want to support Second Harvest Food Bank? Join a great selection of local wineries (including Kathryn Kennedy, Burrell School, Beauregard, Alfaro) at Seascape Resort on June 22 for “Sip for Second Harvest,” as they pour wine for your enjoyment while you enjoy great food and music. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $75-$125 at https://bit.ly/3HyNIx9.