Wine, Jazz, Sunshine, Good Vibes in Half Moon Bay

May 27, 2025 – Clear skies and perfect wine tasting temperatures made for a most enjoyable day in the usually foggy coastal hamlet for the annual Half Moon Bay Wine and Jazz Festival. Dozens of wineries, many of them local, largely coordinated by the dynamic Patricia Eggers, joined with a great lineup of jazz bands and food trucks, to deliver a perfect trio of delectable harmony. 

Throw in a little shopping and a fantastic brunch at Johnny’s HMB, and it truly was the perfect coastside day. I’m still dreaming of that French soft rolled omelette stuffed with Hollandaise, and served with the most amazing smashed potatoes. You have to check it out. 

Local wineries were well-represented, with Dan Petrocchi of 3P Wines pouring a bright and cheery 2023 Pinot Noir rosé, Fogarty Winery pouring their very agreeable Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir, and Eric Baugher and Shun Ishikubo of Deaurātus, were pouring their Grenache Blanc from Michael Michaud’s vineyard in Chalone, their new Gali Vineyard Chardonnay, a Zinfandel from Dry Creek and a Cabernet from Paso. These handsome lads were stationed next to Steven Kent Winery from Livermore, where Steven Mirassou and his wife Beth, regaled people with all manner of Cabernet Franc, from including red and blanc. The energy was electric in this tent. 

Paso Robles is always well represented at the Half Moon Bay event, with Caelesta’s blend of Chardonnay and Viognier being a standout, as was Caliza’s excellent “End of the Day” Albariño, which is a stunner from various vineyards in SLO. Owner/winemaker Carl Bowker, says this wine is so popular, he’s having to source more. His “Azimuth” GSM is a thing of power and beauty. 

The Cutrozzola Riesling from their estate Riven Rock Vineyard in Cambria was lovely, as was the Tercero Picpoul Blanc. We had great fun tasting the Father’s & Daughters wines with Guy Pacurar and Sarah Schoeneman from Anderson Valley, where Sarah’s Dad owns Ferrington Vineyard, from whence came the excellent Ella’s Reserve Pinot Nor, a fan favorite. A shout out to the Macrostie (Sonoma) and Truchard (Napa/Carneros) for their solid wines. 

Sharing the VIP patio in the back of It’s Italia at the Half Moon Bay Inn were Kings Mountain Vineyards (Woodside) and Samuel Louis wines (based in Santa Cruz), so people got a great lineup of wines from different areas of the Central Coast, including Chalone, Monterey and the eastern side of the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Sam Smith was pouring a 2023 Pinot Noir from the Double L Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands that showed lively dark cherry compote, baking spice and great acidity, next to a 2023 Pinot Noir from Michael Michaud’s Vineyard in Chalone, which was rich in red cherry and distinctive minerality, feeling at once leaner, yet more deeply structured.

It was a party on the VIP patio, with servers constantly passing amazing food, including little cones of fried calamari, meatballs and beautiful butter dipped radishes of multiple hues. If ever there was a worthwhile $80 VIP ticket, this is it. Mark your calendars for the second Saturday of May next year—May 9, 2026—for this one. Great music and fantastic shopping add to the excellent vibe.

Can We Wear White Yet? 

While the calendar isn’t quite saying summer, the weather certainly feels more conducive to outdoor parties and life in general. 

Here are some absolutely lovely whites that will make your mouth salivate happily, no matter what you’re wearing. 

2024 Morgan Albariño, Arroyo Seco, 13% – In four words: polished peachy summer sleekness. From Mission Ranch vineyard, comes this divinely textured wine that was aged 5 months in 8% new oak, after being tank fermented. The nose is divinely abundant with gardenias, nectarines and juicy lime, conjuring up a vision of a wedding-ready white gazebo covered with white lilies, baby’s breath and satin ribbons. Abundantly juicy and mouthwatering flavors of white peach, nectarine, tangelos and fresh cut pineapple twirl around the palate endlessly, as if a spring snowmelt is rushing across it.

2024 Morgan Sauvignon Blanc, Arroyo Seco 13.5% – From topnotch vineyards planted in sandy and shaly loam, including Cedar Lane, Riverbank and Zabala, this juicy big tent Sauv Blanc delivers pretty much everything you want, from aromas of grapefruit, new mown grass and hints of the tropics, to a full on burst of citrus, with mouthwatering guava rowing the canoe through a river of bright acidity. Again, 5 months of oak aging in 8% new French oak gives it a pleasingly silky texture. 

2024 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, North Coast, 14.1% – Hard to believe, but Duckhorn has been making Sauvignon Blanc since 1982, before I really knew anything about the varietal other than I loved Sancerre, which happens to be the grape behind that outrageously popular French import. My first taste of Sancerre in 1980 changed my world at the tender age of 26: how could wine taste like rocks, chalk and pure river water, and yet be so fascinating? That set a timer in my head. This Duckhorn wine is blended with Semillon, which they do in Bordeaux, but not in the Loire. Almost pure guava, tangerine and pineapple, this is light and lively, but anchored in a pleasing mouthfeel. Not all SB needs oak, but Napa producers almost insist on it.  This one escaped with only 6% new French, the rest of it being done in steel. Quite beautiful. 

For red wine lovers, there are a couple of ripe and ready wines from Rhys, including two Pinot Noirs, which are definitely a departure from the leaner and less developed style from this producer. 

2022 Rhys Mt. Pajaro Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, 13.7% – Pure expression of dusty red raspberry in the nose, this wine from Rhys’s 18-acre organic, dry-farmed vineyard in Watsonville, dips deep into earthiness before coming back with nutmeg dusted cherries. Soft, enveloping and satisfying, this, quite frankly, is for people who think they don’t like Pinot Noir. It has none of the acid bite that turns many off, but offers a clear sense the grape. 

2022 Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains,13.8% – This is the absolute cat’s meow if you can get hold of it. Pure ripe red raspberry aromas, melded with sandalwood incense and orange peel beguile, hinting at a bit more ripeness than we typically see from this producer and site. But 2022 was a warm year, and the sweet berry fruit is mixed nicely with a savory element of bay laurel and subtle pine, creating the appealing tension I love from this vineyard.  Supple yet firm tannins are starting to soften. This wine is a gem.

Old School at The Schoolhouse

Like yourself some well-aged wines? Head to Burrell School for a selection of oldies from Winemaker Dave’s library collection. Check out their Cellar Alumni Sale, featuring 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 spent two years each in 100% new French oak, are still filled with plenty of barrel spice and toast. Visit the winery on Summit Road soon and let Jennifer take you through this special peak into the past. 

Summer Solstice in the Vineyard at Burrell School – June 21 

Part 2 of their Tasting in the Vineyard Series takes place right in the vineyard at its most verdant, with vines in full bloom and clusters of grapes maturing under the warm sun. This stage is crucial for the development of the grapes’ flavors and aromas. You will learn about the process of veraison, where the grapes change color and begin to ripen. Winemaker Dave will also discuss the significance of dry farming and maintenance as it relates to the health of the vineyard. Enjoy a tasting of rich and complex wines, paired with gourmet bites that highlight the best of the season’s produce.  burrellschool.com/wine-shop/tasting-in-the-vineyard-summer