Discover Wine and Food Extravaganza in South Bay Chris Lehoux, April 22, 2024 Pebble Beach Food & Wine made a successful comeback in the first week of April following a four-year break. The event showcased a restructured layout under new management and debuted several first-time wineries like Rhys Vineyards from Santa Cruz Mountains and Napa’s Frank Family Vineyards. For those who take pleasure in pairing food and wine, consider attending “The Perfect Pair” at Cabrillo College on Saturday, April 27. The inclusive $140 ticket offers a sensory evaluation class, a walk-around tasting of Santa Cruz Mountains wines, and a thrilling food and wine pairing contest featuring culinary creations by students of the Cabrillo College Culinary program. https://winesofthesantacruzmountains.com/events/the-perfect-pair Also taking place on April 27 is an open house at Vidovich Winery on Monte Bello Road in Cupertino hills, from noon until 4:30 pm. Here, visitors can encounter and interact with their new winemaker, Barry Timmins, who hails from New Zealand and introduces a new dynamic to the brand. Emerging from the shadows of Mint Juleps, Kendall-Jackson has launched two limited-edition, commemorative wines for the 150th Run for the Roses on Kentucky Derby Day. The impressive labels depict Rachel Alexandra, a distinguished retired American Thoroughbred racehorse from Stonestreet Stables, the Jackson family’s thoroughbred operation in Lexington, KY. Show your Derby spirit with the 2022 “150th Running” Chardonnay (Mendocino, $14.99) and 2021 “150th Running Cabernet (Sonoma, $24.99). Are you considering throwing a Derby-themed party, complete with local wine and snacks, all for a good cause? This is what the Morgan Hill Community Foundation and the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley are offering at their annual Santa Clara Valley Wine Auction. The event is set for May 4, at Clos LaChance Winery, with the VIP room opening at 5 p.m. and general admission from 6-9 p.m. The live auction will kick off at 8 p.m. and offers big-ticket items including a VIP suite at a Sharks game, luxurious vacation home stays, and a hefty meat package from Rocca’s market. We encourage guests to dress in their finest Kentucky Derby attire. Valet parking is provided. here The Taste Of Terroir Dinner Series, presented by The Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains, is shortly commencing with “Vineyards in the Sky,” on Friday, May 10, at Wrights Station Winery. The event will feature contemporary Italian cuisine by Chef Nick Sherman from Trestles & Cavaletta, with wines selected from Big Basin Vineyards, Charmant Vineyards, Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, David Bruce Winery, Muns Vineyard, Silver Mountain Vineyards, and Wrights Station. here How about some sparkling wine this Mother’s Day? Mumm Napa has introduced new collections of high-end homegrown sparkling wines: Mumm Sparkling ($23.99) and Mumm Napa ($32.99). Both collections offer three cuvées, inclusive of a rosé, with Mumm Napa presenting a Blanc de Blancs. If you’re looking to enjoy lower-alcohol wines that pack a flavor punch, the 2021 CRU Low Calorie Unoaked Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco) is worth considering. Priced at $20, it has a 12.1% alcohol content. CRU operates a tasting room in Soledad. “Sunny With a Chance of Flowers” rosé, from Scheid, is another low-alcohol option available at grocery stores, and was a big hit at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Looking for a winery setting for an unforgettable party, celebration of life or bridal shower? Alamitos Vineyards on San Jose’s Almaden Reservoir offers gourmet wine-paired culinary options from their own private chef, ranging from charcuterie to seven-course wine paired dinners. The winery can accommodate private events of 20 to 250 people, with weekday and weekend dates available. info@alamitosvineyards.com About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine