Wunderbar opens at Wursthall in San Mateo The Wunderbar may have a private entrance and require reservations, but it's not a speakeasy, says general manager Xian Choy. It's a cozier, more relaxed space. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Amberg) At Wunderbar, descend underground to feel like you're entering a different world. Take a seat in a black-lit nook or cozy banquette, and sip on a storied cocktail. The intimate cocktail bar, located in ...
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Read MoreZoom tastings, DoorDash delivery and vineyard yoga are all on the table as local wineries navigate a year of Covid and wildfires Guests attending a fundraising wine tasting event in November at Kings Mountain Vineyards in Woodside sit at distanced tables. (Photo by Federica Armstrong) Zoom tastings, DoorDash delivery and vineyard yoga are all on the table as local wineries navigate a year of Covid and wildfires Testarossa Winery started 2020 on a ...
Read MorePeninsula wineries are tapping into California’s forgotten knack for producing quality bubbly By Carol Maskus “Sparkling wines are pretty versatile with food, are great aperitifs and generally make people happy — what’s not to like?” (Image courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons) Most of us need a little nudge to open up a bottle of sparkling wine—celebratory occasions like a birthday or anniversary—but otherwise tend to dismiss it the rest of the year. In this regard, Valentine’s Day not ...
Read MoreSilicon Valley wineries offer up some fantastic finishes to your feast By Carol Maskus Merry and bright: we found six local dessert wines to keep your holidays festive. (Photo by Charles Russo) Chocolate torte, Buche de Noel, rugelach, sweet potato pie: a big part of holiday feasting is the dessert. And while we often go all out for dessert over the holidays, we typically neglect to properly pair our sweets with appropriate drinks. This can leave ...
Read MoreMoving beyond the obvious with the obscure offerings of Peninsula vintners By Carol Maskus Rows of grapes ready for harvest at Ridge Winery’s Monto Bello vineyard. (Courtesy of Ridge Winery) Wine tastings can often be a case study in the usual suspects: list after list of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — typical varietals that have long-thrived throughout California. In the highly competitive world of wine, it can be a risk for vineyards to invest in more unusual varietals. ...
Read MoreHere is what’s fermenting at the local wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains by Laura Ness Mindego Ridge: 10 acres of sun-warmed Pinot vines off Alpine Road. They are fairly anonymous and the majority are not open to the public. Their acreage is often small and they don’t benefit from the name recognition of places like Napa and Sonoma. Even still, a notable array of Peninsula vineyards have quietly made a reputation for themselves in ...
Read MoreHow a San Carlos nurse won top wine awards (and developed purple hands in the process) Nicole Ruiz Hudson Russian Ridge Winery owner Scott Townsend (imbibing at left) and his son Spencer at their tasting room in San Carlos. (Photo by Charles Russo) The inside of Russian Ridge Winery is comfortably cool compared to the midday heat broiling the industrial San Carlos neighborhood just outside the roll-up doors. A huge skylight illuminates the winery’s interior workspace ...
Read MoreFive reasons to spend Memorial Day weekend at SF Peninsula wineries Photo by Constanza Brunner Halpern Still looking for that perfect way to combine outdoors, food, drink and family for the holiday weekend? Thankfully the Peninsula and the Santa Cruz mountains are stocked with excellent wineries that boast awesome views, top chefs and ambience galore. And they’re all right here. All-you-can-eat-and-drink BBQ at Domenico’s (San Carlos) Celebrate Domenico’s 16th annual Memorial Day with a roast pig and ...
Read MoreSunday at the Rosewood via IG: dlee311 Concierge Donna Jones of Rosewood Sand Hill hotel is used to putting together tech-heavy itineraries. As the unofficial home base for visiting entrepreneurs pitching to the venture capitalists on Sand Hill Road, the hotel gets no shortage of requests to see Silicon Valley, even if it is an idea as much as a physical place. After all, if you don’t get funded at least you ...
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