Crab season is here, meaning that it’s once again time to attend the annual SCMWA wine and crab experience. Wine and food lovers have been calling the association office for weeks to inquire about the event.
A new 2013 concept presents five days to enjoy local wine and crab at numerous Santa Cruz locations from Sunday, Feb. 24 to Friday, March 1. The Wine Cellar in Los Gatos has also joined this popular consumer event.
“In the spirit of supporting our local wine community and also the efforts of our local restaurant partners, we decided to enhance this program to a weeklong celebration of local wine and crab rather than just one day,” said Megan Metz, Executive Director. “It is a celebration of supporting our local economy that should not be missed”, said Metz.
Michael Clark of Michael’s on Main restaurant assisted with the planning of a new spin. Of past events, Clark said “I thought it really brought the restaurants together and created a little healthy competition in creating those crab dishes, especially another Soquel restaurant that thought up Crabby Mac n' Cheese....delicious and far before it's time!”
The Monterey Bay and Pacific coastline of San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties has been home to generations of fishermen who sustainably harvest local Dungeness crab as well as the winemakers who produce locally made wines. The week-long celebration will surely delight foodies and oenophiles.
All of the restaurants will participate on Sunday Feb 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at their respective locations.
On Monday through Friday, a Wine & Crab Happy Hour at each restaurant takes place from 5 to 6:30 p.m., providing two crab appetizers paired with two glasses of Santa Cruz Mountains wine. Ticket price is $30 per person per restaurant.
Visit current participating restaurants on these dates:
Gabriella Cafe, Downtown Santa Cruz: 2/24, 2/25, 2/26, 2/27
Michael's on Main, Soquel: 2/24, 2/27, 2/28
Paradise Beach Grille, Capitola: 2/24, 2/25, 2/26, 2/27, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1
Sanderlings at Seascape Beach Resort, Aptos: 2/24, 2/28, 2/29, /3/1
Solaire Restaurant and Bar, Hotel Paradox, Downtown Santa Cruz: 2/24, 2/25, 2/26, 2/27, 2/28
Stonehouse Bar & Grill in the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley: 2/24, 2/27
Wine Cellar Restaurant, Los Gatos: 2/24, 2/26, 2/27, 2/28, 2/29, 3/1
After the event a follow-up invitation to participate in an online consumer choice award will arrive by email for tasters to choose the "Best" for:
Best Dish and Overall Wine Pairing
Best Presentation
Best Experience
Best Customer Service
The Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Association is an alliance of 72 wineries promoting wines produced from the Santa Cruz Mountains Viticultural Appellation, federally recognized in 1981. One of the first American viticultural areas (AVAs) to be defined by geophysical and climatic factors, the appellation encompasses the Santa Cruz Mountain range from Half Moon Bay in the north, to Mount Madonna in the south. The appellation is defined by an elevation of 400 to 2600 feet and characterized by intimate, ultra-premium artisanal wineries tucked into six sub-areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
By June Smith
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