June is the time for weddings and graduations, and it’s Father’s Day, too! Time to bring out the big Bordeaux in honor of the occasion. May we suggest two wines that are tailor-made for gift giving this time of year: the Burrell School “Dean’s List” Cabernet Sauvignon and the “Honor Roll” Merlot. If you want to laud a special graduate, how about a bottle or two of the boldly built, always in style, “Valedictorian?” There’s always the “Extra Credit” Cabernet Franc for someone who puts extra effort into everything they do: your Dad, perhaps?

Poetic Cellars has Father’s Day labels for that special Dad, and you can also create a custom label for that graduate who deserves some extra recognition. Dads everywhere will love Katy’s 2007 Reserve Syrah, a rich, wonderfully silky and elegant wine that seduces every part of your palate and hangs around for a really long time, too.  If you’re looking for something more exotic, the Poetic Cellars 2007 Mourvedre is absolutely stunning right now, and if Dad loves them big, bold and fruity, there’s nothing quite like the Poetic Petite Sirah.

June means Vintners Festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a traditional time to visit the local wineries. Help us celebrate the ever-growing wine region and pay homage to its roots. The first weekend, June 2nd and 3rd, Vintners Festival will be hosted at wineries and restaurants in Santa Clara/San Mateo counties. This is also called “East Side” weekend. The second weekend, June 9th and 10th, the festival will be hosted at wineries and restaurants in Santa Cruz County, called the “West Side” weekend. Wineries participating in the Vinters’ Festival will be pouring from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with restaurants closing at 4 p.m. Many wineries will be pouring their wines at local restaurants for the festival as well as at their own winery locations. For a map, brochure and tickets, call the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association at (831)685-VINE (8463). You may also purchase your commemorative wine glass, which serves as your ticket to taste throughout the entire double weekend event! Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door.  Festival glasses may be purchased online from SCMWA.com. All Summit to Sea wineries will participate in Vintners Festival on the west side.

Dancing Creek will be open Saturday, June 9, for Vintners Festival and will be sampling their new 2009 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir, their fun new white blend of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Grigio, called “Samba,” and their “Late for the Dance” late harvest Zin. Kick up your heels at Dancing Creek!

On Father’s Day weekend, June 16 & 17, Amy and Paul Kemp invite you to come up to Loma Prieta Winery to enjoy the best view in the mountains, and to help celebrate the release of their new 2010 Viognier.  Enjoy fresh bivalves from Bill the Oysterman and live music by our favorite local musician, Asher Stern, all weekend. Bring your dad and treat him to some Pinotage and a game of bocce ball! Or maybe he’d prefer to play catch with everyone’s favorite German short-haired pointer, Moe!