Experience Pinot in Paradise

Pinot Paradise, 2nd annual Celebration of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir, to be held Sunday, March 26, 2006
at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga

Aptos, Calif., March 8, 2006 – Pinot noir lovers will once again have the opportunity to savor the unique quality and intensity of Santa Cruz Mountains pinot noir at the second annual Pinot Paradise. The festival will be held over two days this year: Saturday, March 25, will feature “Pathway to Pinot Paradise,” a self-guided tour of select Santa Cruz Mountains wineries who will be pouring barrel and samples of their latest pinots.

The “Grand Cruz” Tasting will be held on Sunday, March 26 , from 2pm til 4:30pm at the historic Mountain Winery in Saratoga. More than 30 wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation will pour their finest pinot noir at what is perhaps the “cradle of pinot noir” in North America.

The historic Mountain Winery, originally home to the Paul Masson Winery, boasts the first planting of The Noble Grape on this continent. Accompanying the Grand Cruz tasting will be gourmet hors d’oeuvres from some of the best restaurants from San Jose to Santa Cruz, as well as artisan foods from local purveyors.

There will be a silent auction featuring specially bottled magnums of pinot noir, not available at any other time, including a special cuvee blend of every wine being poured at the event. Wines poured at Pinot Paradise will also be available for purchase at the event. Many are very limited and will sell out.

Saturday’s Program: Pathway to Pinot Paradise
New this year, “Pathway to Pinot Paradise” will offer the public a chance to taste barrel samples of Pinot at participating wineries, as well as limited library wines at some locations. Tickets for this event will be $20 per person. This is a self-guided tour. For guided tour options, contact the SCMWA at 831-685-8463 or www.scmwa.com

Sunday’s Schedule, March 26, 2006
10am to 2pm- Technical Sessions. This program will offer in-depth seminars on the growing and making of pinot noir in this distinctive wine region. Featured guest Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Winery will address the topic: “Why is Pinot Noir called the fickle grape?” This will be followed by a panel discussion entitled “The Impact of Terroir—Pinot Noir in the Santa Cruz Mountains.” Panelists will include Michael Martella of Michael Martella Wines and Thomas Fogarty, Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Prudy Foxx of the Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Jim Schultze of Windy Oaks Estate.
This will be followed by a session entitled “The parallels (or not) between Burgundy and the Santa Cruz Mountains,” featuring tastings from both regions, led by Joe Miller, widely known expert on Burgundy and UCSC Professor.
A special Vineyard Tour will be conducted by Jeffrey Patterson (weather permitting), and will include a box lunch. Tickets are $50.

2pm to 4:30pm-The Grand Cruz Pinot Noir Tasting; open to the public. Tickets: $50 til March 20; $65/per person thereafter. Paradise Passes including Pathway to Paradise, Grand Cruz Tasting, and Technical Sessions, are $100 per person til March 20; $120 thereafter.
Limited seating will be available for two intimate wine exploration Vignette sessions, to be held at 2:30pm and 3:15pm, with award-winning winemakers Tony Craig and John Schumacher. First come, first served.

For tickets call: 831-685-8463 or www.scmwa.com or fax: 831-688-6961

See you in paradise!!

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Contact Information

Shannon Flynn

Operations Manager

Laura Ness/High Performance

Contact via E-mail