Laura Ness

Los Gatos

Writer and Columnist at Freelance

Freelance Writer and Contributor at Edible Monterey Bay

Freelance Writer at Wine Industry Advisor

Her VineNess, wine lover, wine writer, food hedonist and columnist

Articles

Plenty of Wind, Wine and A Chance to Dine

5 days ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

May 9, 2025 – The wind was perhaps the strongest it’s ever been for the annual SLH Sun, Wind and Wine event in its 17 years. Combined with periods of heavy mist and dark clouds, interspersed with teases of sun, last Saturday’s weather illustrated emphatically why this region is so ideally suited for growing cool climate grapes. Moving the event up to the first weekend of May was purposeful, to avoid conflicts with graduations, weddings and other events that are more lucrative for caterers.
‘Tis the Season for Bougie Bubbles, Posh Pinks and Pinot Panache

1 week ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

May 6, 2025 – Mother’s Day kicks off the season of weddings, graduations, anniversaries and brunch. Now is the time to stock up on sparkling, rosé and Pinot Noir, and we’ve got a few ideas, both local and imports you can find fairly easily. Odonata 2020 Blanc de Blanc, Escolle Vineyard, $46 –This wildflower and citrus blossom scented sparkler sports a creamy body and a superfine mousse. Meyer lemon meringue dances on the tongue and the impression of lemon pie and lemon-iced biscotti lingers.
Former VinoCruz Becomes Home Away - Edible Monterey Bay

1 week ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

May 6, 2025 – There’s no place like HOME, as in the famed Soquel restaurant, and soon, there will be no place like Home Away, Brad Briske and Linda Ritten’s forthcoming new outpost just down Main Street on the corner of Soquel Ave. Home Away will debut in the former VinoCruz space sometime in mid-June, with a mix of mostly to-go items, along with flavorful lunch staples like soup, salad and focaccia to enjoy during the day, and wine and charcuterie plates in the evening.
Cabrillo College Culinary Students Shine in The Perfect Pair

1 week ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

May 2, 2025 – A schizophrenic sky kept us guessing what it would do next as we checked in for The Perfect Pair—the annual wine and food pairing event at Cabrillo College’s Sesnon House, run by Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains in conjunction with the Culinary Arts Program at Cabrillo College. One minute it was sprinkling, the next, the sun peaked through and it got almost too warm. Then the breeze and gray clouds returned. Life on the coast demands layers: so does successful food and wine pairing.
New Chef Steven Patlan Levels Up Dining at Estéban Restaurant

1 week ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

With a focus on creating dishes that excite the palate with fresh and local sourcing, Las Vegas trained executive chef Steven Patlan brings his many years of experience from prestigious local establishments—including The Inn at Spanish Bay, Quail Lodge & Golf Club, Sardine Factory, Ventana Big Sur, Wild Fish, Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro and most recently, Venus Spirits and Kitchen—to the fore at Estéban Restaurant.
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA Pioneer Ken Burnap Passes; Wine Makes Way for Beer

2 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

April 29, 2025 – Sadly, we just lost local legend Ken Burnap, founder of Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, on April 25. Larger than life, and with a zest for travel, adventure, awesome food and cool climate Pinot Noir, he filled his 94 years with stories that have made him legend. Vintner Jeff Emery tells us that not only was this famously mustachioed man a builder and restauranteur, he and Dave Bennion of Gates helped to officially establish the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA in 1981.
From Louis XIII Grand Cognac to Mediterranean by the Sea: 2025 Pebble Beach Food & Wine Expands Repertoire, Audience

2 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

May 25, 2025 – My first memory of cognac dates to a college dance, where a guy wearing a tweed jacket suddenly whisked me from the sidelines and began spinning me around the floor. “Just follow my lead!” he said, and I did until, breathless, he stopped for refreshment. Eschewing the dismal punch usually served at Harvard parties, he pulled a small silver flask from his inside pocket, took a swig, then offered it to me. “Henessey,” was all he said.
Wines and Thoughts on Wines for Earth Day

3 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

April 22, 2025 – Every day should be Earth Day. We all want to make choices that lessen impact. Honestly, freight/shipping is one of the biggest polluters and adds more and more cost to the product. So buying locally is always the right choice, from grocery items to wine. Which reminds me that I need to stop buying Perrier and Pellegrino, and stick with sparkling from Oregon (Cascade) or even Arizona. Or maybe it’s time to get a Sodastream?
Reveling in The Bounty at Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025

3 weeks ago | ediblemontereybay.com | Laura Ness

April 18, 2025 – The weather gods smiled, and the clouds parted for a divine final day of this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival, held in two spacious tents near Pebble Beach Lodge. With all the booze everywhere, from guys with cocktail carts pushing bourbon, to a martini and truffle fries order window, the festival is getting higher octane every year. Perhaps it should actually be called Pebble Beach Food, Wine & Spirits.
Hop to Easter brunch at South Bay and Peninsula dining spots

1 month ago | mercurynews.com | Laura Ness

Got family in town for Easter? Head to The Fountain Restaurant at the Signia By Hilton Hotel in downtown San Jose, where Executive Chef Joe Derla’s annual Easter brunch features individual servings for soup and entrée, with unlimited salads, decadent seafood platters and an array of desserts brought to the table to share.