April 11, 2025 – John Benedetti is thrilled to have recently received his first ever 98-point scores, from Jeb Dunnuck.com, for two back-to-back vintages of Saveria Pinot Noir.  He had never knowingly submitted wines to Jeb Dunnuck’s publication before, and was a bit nervous when they

April 8, 2025—A local legend has reached its endpoint. Which sets the table for a new beginning. English Ales, a strong candidate for any Mount Rushmore of Monterey Bay craft beer given its pioneering role in the area, has sold to a buyer with both

April 4, 2025—Between the stone walls at Vella Cheese Factory, complicated feelings result from simple craftsmanship. The emotions run from sudden joy (Is that price real?) to self doubt (Is it responsible to buy this much cheese?) to deep satisfaction (Is it OK to

April 4, 2025 – Mother Nature showed us all who was boss as she put on a full force demo of her gale-ability at the Santa Cruz Mountains Grand Tasting.  Winds up to 50mph buffeted my Jeep as I traversed the steep road through

April 1, 2025—A number of questions have already leapt to the minds of Ad Astra Bread Co. fans now that it’s adding a second location at Mid Valley Shopping Center in Carmel Valley. Among the comments that nestle beneath the nearly 1,600 likes on

April 1, 2025—El Padrino, Spanish for “godfather,” makes an offer you can’t refuse. That offer, in a word, is Oaxaca.  El Padrino Restaurant on Broadway in Seaside draws from Oaxaca in a way that’s authentic but inventive, vibrant but earthy, recently opened but old-school,

March 28, 2025—The concierge at Timber Cove seems impressed I made it all the way from Monterey Bay. She tells me, in not so many words, To get here, you gotta want it.  And oh, I do. I want the serenity of the Great

March 28, 2025 – Elevated Mexican cuisine is a favorite of mine, as it really shows off the nuances of complex sauces and salsas. Plus it can highlight the regionality and deep pride in the treasured family recipes.  With its high-end, welcoming décor, Nicolás

March 25, 2025 – In my three years in Santa Cruz, I’ve done my best to explore the local wine scene. One such exploration led me to the Margins Wine Cubby in the Swift Street Courtyard. Since first stepping into the 120-square-foot tasting space

March 21, 2025 – The game plan is in place. Then long-held passions get in the way. And everything gets that much better. The plan: Santa Cruz appreciation, coastal mountain vineyard version. The strategy: Make an overdue visit to a tasting room whose vineyard