January 7, 2025 – It’s official: Jennifer Jackson has closed down the Equinox tasting room at Swift Street Court as of January 1, and many of the fixtures and furniture will be repurposed by brewer Brad Clark, who plans to use the location for his Private Press label. Clark and Adair Paterno own Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing just in front of the former Equinox location. Meanwhile, Equinox will be selling off the equipment and inventory at their winery facility. It will occasionally be open for wine sales.
Nearby, on the west end of Santa Cruz, Izakaya West End was the site of a recent gathering of the Wild Wine Women, who were treated to a bottle of Ryan Alfaro’s Farm Cottage Chardonnay from Trout Gulch, brought by local viticulture expert Prudy Foxx. The group was already enjoying a bottle of the most excellent 2022 Quinta Cruz Albariño from the Gularte Vineyard in Monterey, made by Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountains Vineyard. The GM came by to open the wine and explain that there is no corkage for wines made by local winemakers, and that the restaurant is committed to expanding opportunities for guests to enjoy local wines. We love hearing this! Support your local wineries when you dine there.
The Kori tasting room in the Court of the Fountains in Carmel was shuttered as of mid-December. Tira Nanza out of Carmel Valley will be opening there in February. More on that to come. We fondly remember that Albatross Ridge got their start in that little teeny space way back in the days before Covid.
Speaking of Albatross Ridge, owner Garrett Bowlus tells us that they are in talks regarding a lease extension for their tasting room in Monterey, which once had a food component. It’s also rumored that the Albatross Ridge tasting room in Carmel Valley might be closing, but apparently lease discussions are still in process regarding that location as well.
“We potentially might stay at both spots,” says Bowlus. “Basically, rent increases and [lease] lengths are not where we wanted, so it’s up in the air at this point.” For sure, they are keeping their Carmel-by-the-Sea location open.
If you haven’t tried Russell Joyce’s magnificent renderings of Albatross Ridge vineyard, you owe it to your pinot-loving self to do so. I found the 2023 Russell Joyce Albatross Ridge Pinot Noir a stunner, with vivid red fruit, leaning to cherry, red raspberry and cranberry, with a smack of ginger and cinnamon spice that absolutely showcases the site. Joyce used 25% whole cluster and only 25% new French, preferring to let the fruit soar in the 12% ABV wine. He also made a 2023 Chardonnay from Albatross Ridge.
It appears that Kim Stemler’s shoes are proving very difficult to fill. She was executive director of the Monterey County Vintner and Grower’s Association for more than 11 years, before taking a position as president of the Carmel Foundation in mid-2024. Apparently, the person who was hired to replace her last summer has already parted company with the Board of Directors. Monterey is a far more complex AVA than most. The job of an executive director here requires superb interpersonal skills, vision, empathy, and the ability to build consensus and community around a common set of goals, no matter how diverse.
John Benedetti tells us that the Sante Arcangeli’s Pescadero tasting barn is undergoing a major remodel. The location will be closed until Valentine’s weekend. The tasting room will then reopen across the meadow from the loft above the Harley Farms Cheese Shop, which is where it will remain for the better part of the year. There’s a sweet picnic area outdoors. More info to come.
J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines was the winner of the David Stevens Memorial Trophy at the 43rd annual Dan Berger International Wine Competition (held in December) which recognizes the winery that won the most Double Gold and Gold medals. J. Lohr Vineyard & Wines entered 30 wines in the competition, winning medals for each and every one, including one triple gold medal, 8 gold medals, 19 silvers, and two bronzes. Well done! Also achieving greatness was Jeff Runquist Wines of Plymouth, Calif., which had won the trophy as the event’s top winery for seven of the prior eight years. Runquist scored 2 triple golds, 4 golds, 20 silvers, and 4 bronzes out of 30 entries, an impressive showing.
The best white wine of the competition was 2023 Country Roads Wine Cellars Albariño from Clarksburg, Calif. ($26). countryroadswc.com
Best rosé went to Rodney Strong Vineyards for its 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($30). rodneystrong.com
Best Red was the 2022 Jeff Runquist Tannat, Alta Mesa, Silvaspoons Vineyard ($30). jeffrunquistwines.com
Merlot lovers, rejoice! Marty Mathis just released his new 2022 Lateral, and it’s a distinct nod to Pomerol, with 86% Merlot and 14% Cab Franc. He says it’s got all the hallmarks of a great Bordeaux, with plum, spice, subtle cherry, cranberry and watermelon, wrapped in oak barrel nuances. He describes it as a “very drinkable every day luxury dinner wine.”
We recently spied the ABC posting for Vin Bar Carmel on Dolores and 6th in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and owner Roslyn Anderson confirms that they are indeed adding a second location in Spring 2025.
“The current location in the Crossroads will remain open to serve our wonderful local community and continue to be the Peninsula’s premier bottle shop, providing the exclusive and unique wine selections we have all grown to love,” she told us. “VIN By the Sea, to be located on Dolores St. between 5th & 6th in Su Vecino Court, will not only offer an extensive wine selection, but also an all-day menu of small plates and perfect bites. A broad list of wines and sparkling by the glass will allow Carmel locals and visitors to experiment and discover new favorites not found on traditional wine lists.”
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
