We were driving slowly into the heart of the ghetto. B was at the wheel avoiding the potholes and filthy, undernourished kids running across the street. I was in the passenger seat, cocking my sawed off shotgun while staring down the kids who were menacingly pulling up their shirts to reveal handguns stuffed in their pants. One more turn and there it was! The huge La Honda sign was a beacon of safety. B sped towards the huge gilt edged warehouse and screeched to a halt between the Grecian planters surrounding the door. "I'll cover you...run!", I yelled as B jumped out of the car and started to madly pump the door handle. "Goddammit, it won't open", he said as I took up position next to him and leveled my gun at some of the kids who cautiously advancing, like a lion stalking it's prey. Suddenly the door opened inward. I whipped my gun around and narrowly missed blowing the top off a well dressed woman at the door. All she said was, "I saw you trying to open the door. Come on in!" And we ran in to enjoy the safety and solace of a good glass of wine. Just another day on the Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries Passport Weekend Trip.
Uh, no, that didn't actually happen, but I bet a lot more people would go along if it was always this exciting. We did actually drive through the ghetto of Redwood City to get to La Honda, a huge, beautiful warehouse. Dominico was also at La Honda because they were having a private event in their own tasting room which is about 10 minutes away. We then drove a tiny highway along with about half of the bay area over to Half Moon Bay to go to a cute little winery called La Nebbia. Finally, we made our way to the grand Thomas Fogarty and then home. The weather was beautiful, the company was excellent (Jeff and Vicky joined us), and the wine was pretty good. Here are my thoughts:
1. La Honda in Redwood City. Overall not impressed with these wines, but the place and the people were nice. They had a taco truck out back. I didn't have any, but Jeff said they were ok. The Pinot "Sequence" and the Cab Syrah "Exponent" were pretty good and fairly inexpensive, but we didn't like them enough to buy them. We did however buy a $10 crescent shaped wine holder that's pretty cool.
2. Dominico. I've been here before and I have liked their wines. Today was no different. The people were very knowledgeable and friendly. The Aglianico ('05) smelled great and was a little spicy. We bought a bottle for $30.
3. La Nebbia in Half Moon Bay. This is a cute little winery out in the boonies of HMB. They have a bottchie ball court and a glass blowing shed. There was even a guy giving glass blowing lessons. Overall, the wines were good, but the dessert wines were too sweet. I liked their sparkling wine (light and fruity) and it was affordable at $13.95. Also good was the Merlot ('05 from Russian River), but it was a little expensive ($29.95). I liked it so much I bought it anyway. They also had the port in the chocolate cup for an extra $2, but I didn't partake because they had already poured us 9 wines.
4. Thomas Fogarty in Woodside. This is a huge compound with a great view. They have excellent wines and great pourers, but their wines are way too expensive. Their '06 Chardonnay was really good (tasted like lemon butter). We didn't get it because it costs a whopping $36.00. The '05 Fat Buck Ridge Santa Cruz Mtns. Estate Syrah was meaty and rich ($48.00). This wine was fantastic! We ended up getting the Barbara and the Gewürtztraminer because they were really good and a little more affordable than most of the wines. This is an interesting winery. It was started by a doctor who invented so kind of heart surgery stint or something like that, so he had a lot of money and started a winery on some prime real estate. Now they are a popular wedding spot in addition to the tasting room and warehouse.
It was a good day.
Happy Tasting!,
Your Wine Nerd
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