Cantine Winepub, Photo courtesy of Shani Studios
Saturday, August 8, is the one-year anniversary of the opening of Aptos’ Cantine Winepub, and it’s celebrating with a day of special pop-ups with local winemakers, brewers and cider producers.
Owner Jason McKay is very excited about this milestone, as it’s the realization of a lifelong dream for him—one in which he would create a space for people to come together, enjoy great wine and beer, connect, and relax. “It’s been a great first year – being part of the Aptos and Santa Cruz Community,” says McKay.
On Saturday afternoon, attendees can enjoy music from DJ Dustbowl aka Amee Chapman plus wine tasting with Sante Arcangeli. The evening festivities will feature live music by El Quarto Verde, beer tasting with Uncommon Brewers, and cider samples from Reef Points Hard Cider.
If you’re unfamiliar with Cantine, it offers a diverse range of wines, craft beers and artisan foods in a comfortable lounge setting. The winepub traditionally offers six to eight wines on tap, with a featured wine-by-the-glass menu that changes daily. This way, frequent customers always have something new to try on each visit. Recent options have included wines from Alfaro, Kathryn Kennedy, Big Basin, Salmandre, and Force of Nature.
The winepub’s food menu features tapas that are designed for sharing. These are created using seasonal ingredients. Selections may include cheese and charcuterie trays; Kelly’s Bakery focaccia; house-made meatballs in slow-roasted tomato sauce; tortilla Espanola with sherry-braised onions, manchego, and chorizo; marinated kale salad; and roasted beets and fennel with crumbled goat cheese and citrus balsamic dressing.
In addition to wine, there are eight domestic craft brews on tap (Discretion Brewing, Sante Adairus, and more) and over twenty beers, ciders, mead and other beverages by the bottle.
Location: 8050 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 831-612-6191
Hours: Monday 4-9 p.m., Tues-Thurs 4–10pm, Fri-Sun noon–10pm
On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie.