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Friday, September 25, 2026 5-7P

Wines and Beers of the Week

Pregaming Octoberfest

Wines of the Week, September 25, 2026

Silver Thread Good Earth White - 750ml, 2025

Abundant fruity aromas of lemon zest, gooseberry, and quince, plus hints of white tea and rosemary. Medium bodied with a lightly gripping texture and a long, steely, mouth-watering finish. This wine was fermented using native/ambient yeasts. The blend consists of 67% Aravelle, 17% Cayuga (skin fermented), and 16% Riesling. The artwork on the label was created by local artist Karen Gilman and features a view of our vineyard overlooking Seneca Lake. It emphasizes the connection between art and nature that is essential to making great wine.

Stirm Calcite White - 750ml, 2025

The “Calcite” white blend is STiRM’s crisp, quaffable, everyday white that is infused with the distinctive minerality of the region’s soils. Named after the specific type of limestone found here, Calcite is a racy, mouthwatering blend made from several vineyard sites around San Benito County. This wine captures the unique terroir of warm days, cool nights, and mineral-rich earth that allow grapes to ripen fully while retaining vibrant freshness. It's completely dry, but generous with the fruit character, with flavors of ripe peaches and lemon zest and a texture a reminiscent of ocean water.

Stirm Natrolite Chillable Red - 750ml, 2025

Not a rose, but also not quite a red, the 2025 Stirm Wine Co. 'Natrolite' Chillable Red is an organic, low-intervention table wine from the Cienega Valley that blends the light red structure of Cabernet Pfeffer and Pinot Noir with the aromatic freshness of Riesling. Juicy and exuberant, this wine is all about bright fruit, high acidity, low tannin, and serious drinkability.

Stirm Pinot Noir / Gularte Vineyard - 750ml, 2024

The Gularte Vineyard, located at the northern end of the Salinas Valley on River Road, just outside the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation takes advantage of Monterey County's mild climate which brings foggy mornings and windy afternoons. Bright and red-fruitred, this savory Pinot Noir shows incredible freshness and vivacity.

Samuel Louis Smith Syrah - 750ml, 2024

Another of Smith’s terroir-driven cuvées, the grapes sourced from 52% Thomasen’s Split Rail and 48% Lester, the 2024 Syrah Sandstone Terrace is all black fruit and black pepper, with high acidity. Savory and sweet spices complement a cool-climate core of tight tannins and 100% whole-cluster intrigue, with less angularity and more velvety texture, gamey underbelly, and coniferous complexion than other vintages yet so much more to say.

Beers of the Week

Trafford Ale Bitter / Arlington Brewing Co., 4-Pack

Arlington Brewing is paying homage to the traditional English-style bitters with their pub ale. Meant to be a low alcohol, malt forward style, this 3.8% brew is meant for easy session drinking. With subtle notes of toffee and a hint of molasses on the finish, when you've got a craving for and end-of-the-day beer that won't knock you out, give this one a shot. You won't be disappointed! The Craft Beer Geek sez: Do you like malt forward beers? Are you in the mood for something that won’t leave you feeling a little fuzzy the next morning? Arlington has the perfect beer you! Paying homage to traditional English session beers, Trafford is a full-flavoured, easy drinking and delicious gold winning beer.

Local Kolsch / Moon Hill, 4-Pack

Local Kolsch is crisp, clean, easy drinking Kolsch style beer from Moon Hill brewing. Light on the tongue, with an assertive but not aggresive flavor, this delectable beer harkens back to the traditional styles brewed in and around Cologne, Germany, but made much closer to our home. The Craft Beer Geek sez: Kolsch style beers are not something a lot of domestic breweries make for one reason or another, and it's a shame. If you're looking for something like a lager, but with a little more complexity, try this one for size, and you'll end up with a smile on your face.

Crafthouse Cocktails Paloma, 4-Pack

CraftHouse Cocktails Paloma is a ready-to-drink cocktail that comes in a 4-pack of 200ml bottles. The Paloma is a classic tequila-based cocktail made with grapefruit soda and lime juice. CraftHouse Cocktails prides itself on using high-quality ingredients to provide a convenient and delicious cocktail experience. The 4-pack is perfect for enjoying at home or bringing to a gathering with friends. Just chill, pour, and enjoy! The Craft Beer Geek sez: Made with La Cofradia blanco tequila, grapefruit and real lime juice, this drink is what the locals ACTUALLY enjoy more often, down Mexico way. With a touch of tartness and a smooth finish, take a step away from the margaritas and give this a shot.

Hefe-Dark / Weihenstephaner, Single

The Craft Beer Geek sez: Monks have been making beer for centuries, and Weihenstephaner is the oldest. This dark wheat beer blends the best part of a wheat beer with the malt-forward flavors of a typical German dark beer. The cloves and yeastiness are definitely at the forefront here, and come together in a beautiful way.