The Surf City Vintners is announcing its second “semester” of Surf City Wine University – a series of wine appreciation classes that gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste and learn more about wine from a group of master vintners in an informal, enjoyable winery setting.  

The second “semester” starts October 9 with a Harvest Tour where participants will experience harvest and crush, and will continue with one class a month through February, 2012. The classes also include Wine Tasting 101 with Jimmie Moore of Bonny Doon Vineyard; Sparkling Wine with Barry Jackson of Equinox (in time for the holidays); Bordeaux wines with Mikael Wargin of MJA; and a History of the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Region with Jeff Emery of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Jerold O’Brien of Silver Mountain and Michael Sones of Sones Cellars.

Wine lovers can learn more about wine from a group of vintners who combined have more than 150 years of winemaking experience.  The winemakers will share their passion and knowledge in an informal and fun environment in their own wineries and tasting rooms, and attendees will receive a “diploma” in Sip-ology from Surf City University.     

Classes are held Sundays, from noon to 2 p.m. at the instructor winemaker’s tasting room/winery, except for the October 9 Harvest Tour. Classes can be taken individually or as a group; and all classes include wine tasting.

October 9: Harvest & Crush Tour – Experience harvest in the vineyard and crush in the winery. Transportation will be provided by The Santa Cruz Experience to a local vineyard, where participants will experience harvest in action; then return to Surf City Vintners to see and learn about crush in the wineries. Box lunch and wine tasting are included.

November 13: Wine Tasting 101 – with Jimmie Moore, Bonny Doon Vineyard. Jimmie Moore will be your guide through the adventure of wine tasting, with a special view from the Dooniverse. Learn the basics of tasting and evaluating wines, including the five senses related to the appreciation of wine and the human experience of flavor. Taste samples of acidity, bitterness and astringency. Learn how to identify tannins, oak, fruit and where all those funny wine terms come from. Begin to develop an appreciation of your own wine style. A number of different wines and styles will be sampled during the class.

December 11: Sparkling Wine – with Barry Jackson, Equinox/ Bartolo. Learn about the production of sparkling wine and taste different sparkling wine styles – just in time for the holidays and New Years. Barry Jackson has been making wine since 1979, when he started with Paul Masson. He started his Equinox label for sparkling wine in 1989.

January 15: Bordeaux Wines – with Mikael Wargin, MJA.  Learn about and taste the classic Bordeaux varieties of France: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.  Compare different wines from Bordeaux and California.

February 26: History of the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Region and Wines – with Jeff Emery, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard; Jerold O’Brien, Silver Mountain; and Michael Sones, Sones Cellars. Taste wine with these master winemakers (who together have over 75 years of winemaking experience) enjoy their stories. They will take you on a journey from the early days of winemaking in the Santa Cruz Mountains to today – and maybe even provide a glimpse into the future. 

Class Registration: Individual classes are $30 each; $25 for wine club members of any of the Surf City wineries; except the Harvest Tour which is $45. Class size is limited. Those signing up for all five classes will receive a tasting card to all Surf City wineries valued at $60. Any of the Surf City tasting rooms will take registrations. More information and details are at www.surfcityvintners.com.