Vine & Dine

Rosscienda vineyard in Aptos at sunset, with golden vines, wooded hills and a glowing orange sky.

Bucolic Haven

September 22, 2026

Rosscienda is making a name for itself in Aptos with expressive estate wines, including the 2025 Big Char Chardonnay, a bright, layered bottle with notes of nectarine, lemon custard, white peach and baking spice.

operation freedom paws, northern california non-profit, service dog training

Gifted Winemaker

Josie Cowden pairs Ian Brand’s 2023 Escolle Vineyard Chardonnay with chef Michelle Gomez’s inventive menu at Jack O’Neill’s Restaurant in the Santa Cruz Dream Inn.

Fruit Full

The Hilt Estate’s 2023 Chardonnay from the Santa Rita Hills offers ripe stone fruit, dried mango and toasty complexity, alongside local food and drink notes from Aptos.

This Bird Flew

After a decade in California’s wine industry, Dan Murphy returned home to Columbia Falls, Montana, to launch White Raven Winery and make wines of his own.

Flower Time

La Bahia Hotel’s High Tide restaurant pairs Pacific Rim-inspired seafood and ocean views with a pale-pink Flowers Sonoma Coast Rosé.

Ideal Nectar

Alfaro Family Vineyards’ 2025 “A” Estate Chardonnay offers bright pear, apple and white peach flavors, while a summer reception pairs local wine with photography.

Crimson & Clover

Josie Cowden spotlights The Paring’s 2021 Red Wine from Lompoc, a crimson blend with notes of cedar, toast, coffee, tobacco and dark fruit.

Pudding Proof

Frank Family Vineyards’ 2025 Carneros Rosé of Pinot Noir brings peach, wild strawberry, white nectarine and citrus notes just in time for summer celebrations.

Summer Swirls

Bouchaine Winery’s 2024 Vin Gris of Pinot Noir is a pale-pink Napa Valley Carneros wine made for warm days, friends and summer sipping.

Like Denmark

I have traveled all over the Golden State, and there is still lots to explore. California offers so much. Modeled after a Danish village, Solvang...

Vino For Moms

From crisp Albariño to elegant Champagne and bold Pinot Noir, these Mother’s Day wine picks offer something special for every kind of celebration.

Wine and Vines

From Kendall-Jackson’s crisp Brut Cuvée to non-alcoholic sparkling wines and bold rye whiskey, this week’s Vine & Dine offers something for every palate.

Indian Spices

At LXV Wines in downtown Paso Robles, owners Neeta and Kunal Mittal pair bold Central Coast wines with Indian spice blends for a tasting experience unlike any other.