The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association invites you to take part in its Winter Passport Program. More than fifty Santa Cruz Mountains wineries – from Ahlgren to Zayante – will open their doors to Passport Program participants on Saturday, January 21, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Passports, which cost just $40 per person, provide entry into participating wineries, including many that are not normally open to the public. Passport holders will be invited to tour the facilities, meet the winemakers and sample the fruits of their labors – including special wines poured only for citizens in the Passport Program!

As an added feature to the Passport Program several of Santa Cruz Mountain’s finest restaurants and wine bars will be offering special discounts to Passport Holders on the day of the event.

The Passport Program is held on the third Saturday of January, April, July and November; and will be for years to come, allowing for visitors to view the vineyards at every season in the growing cycle.  This winter, on January 21st, begin a new adventure and experience the excellence of the wines produced in this appellation, by spending a wonderful day at the wineries and in the company of winemakers.

Santa Cruz Mountains Wines and Passports make wonderful gifts for all occasions.  Many of these award-winning wines can be hard to find in stores (and of course are not be available there for sampling).  Special prices are also often available during passport. Bring home some great wine to treasure and share with friends.                

Check the website for area map and last-minute changes in Passport offerings.

Taste wonderful crab dishes paired with luscious local wines.
The Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association presents the ninth annual Wine & Crab Taste-Off!  Four of the finest local restaurants will be battling it out in hopes of being named “Crab Cook 2012.”  We need your help to make the decision, so come and judge for yourself!

All five restaurants will be preparing two crab dishes to satisfy your appetite on Sunday, January 22nd from 2 to 5 p.m. For $49 you can come take on the challenge of “consumer judge.”  Taste food and wine at two restaurants, of your choice, and let them know what you think.  All ballots will be tallied to determine the “Consumer Choice Awards” as well as scores from professional judges for the “Judges Choice Awards.”  For an additional $16 you can visit another restaurant of your choice.

Reservations for both events may be purchased from the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers office or online.  For more information, or to make reservations,  call (831) 685-VINE (8463), go to the website at www.SCMWA.com and enter promo code GW11 for a $15 off discount when you attend both events, or email info@scmwa.com for more information.