Storrs Winery, Santa Cruz
Hidden in a little industrial park near downtown Santa Cruz, California is the tasting room of Storrs Winery. The first time I tried to find the tasting room, I probably drove around the office park at least two or three times, passing a cookie bakery outlet and assorted warehouses and offices before practically stumbling across the tasting room on the outskirts of the terrain.
It's a small tasting room with the obligatory t-shirt shelves and a wooden bar tending to the rustic. The staff is universally congenial and the atmosphere all around fun. Sometimes on the weekend it can get rather crowded in the small space, but it seems to work. And the charm of the interior belies the location.
The wines are generally excellent. For a small winery, they offer quite a variety. Bordeauxs, Zins, Chards, Rhones, and Pinots among others. My personal favorites have been the Rusty Ridge Zinfandel, which if you can still get your hands on the 2006 is probably at its peak. A good sized Zin, though not overly jammy, with lots of cherry and a smooth finish. The Wild Cat Ridge Pinot Noir is a great example of a Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot. And the BXR Bordeaux blend, which is probably their signature wine, is an age-worthy red that will reward patience.
Founded in 1988 by Stephen Storrs and Pamela Bianchini-Storrs. Since 2007 they have been planting vines on their own estate in the Mount Madonna area of the Santa Cruz mountians. Storrs is located at Old Sash Mill, 303 Potrero Street, no. 35, in Santa Cruz. Tasting room hours are daily 12 to 5.
That's if you can find them.
You can read more about Stephen and Pamela Storrs and the winery here.
Hidden in a little industrial park near downtown Santa Cruz, California is the tasting room of Storrs Winery. The first time I tried to find the tasting room, I probably drove around the office park at least two or three times, passing a cookie bakery outlet and assorted warehouses and offices before practically stumbling across the tasting room on the outskirts of the terrain.
It's a small tasting room with the obligatory t-shirt shelves and a wooden bar tending to the rustic. The staff is universally congenial and the atmosphere all around fun. Sometimes on the weekend it can get rather crowded in the small space, but it seems to work. And the charm of the interior belies the location.
The wines are generally excellent. For a small winery, they offer quite a variety. Bordeauxs, Zins, Chards, Rhones, and Pinots among others. My personal favorites have been the Rusty Ridge Zinfandel, which if you can still get your hands on the 2006 is probably at its peak. A good sized Zin, though not overly jammy, with lots of cherry and a smooth finish. The Wild Cat Ridge Pinot Noir is a great example of a Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot. And the BXR Bordeaux blend, which is probably their signature wine, is an age-worthy red that will reward patience.
Founded in 1988 by Stephen Storrs and Pamela Bianchini-Storrs. Since 2007 they have been planting vines on their own estate in the Mount Madonna area of the Santa Cruz mountians. Storrs is located at Old Sash Mill, 303 Potrero Street, no. 35, in Santa Cruz. Tasting room hours are daily 12 to 5.
That's if you can find them.
You can read more about Stephen and Pamela Storrs and the winery here.
I can't say that I attend a lot of concerts anymore, but when I saw two of the class of '77, probably my most formative of years in terms of musical taste, were going to be performing at Shoreline last Monday evening, I thought, what better way could I spend Bastille day than with Elvis Costello and the Police. The main draw for me was Elvis, former angry young man, now angry middle aged guy, since I had seen him on both of his first US tours in '77 and '78 at Winterland. So I purchased a couple of lawn seats and dragged the wife along.
I was never a gigantic Police fan. I always enjoyed their first album, but later found the white man's reggae lacking in any soul. When the new wave followed the punk invasion, the Police were a bit too polite for me. However, I have to say, they put on a great show. Sting looked healthy and like he was having the time of his life, Stewart Copeland is a great percussionist and the sound was great, even on the lawn.
Harvey Korman, who passed away recently at the age of 81 was one of the funniest men who ever lived. Korman in probably best remembered for his supporting role on the Carol Burnett show alongside Tim Conway and for his roles in Mel Brooks films. He was one of the funniest men ever.