Small Sips of Pinot

Vinocruz A new downtown Santa Cruz wine shop features almost exclusively wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The store offers 150 selections from 65 wineries. The owner, J.P Correa, hopes to raise the profile of wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains, an appellation with 80 wineries, but only 10 tasting rooms. Many very small producers are featured including Clos Tita, Aptos Creek Vineyard (200-240 cases of Pinot Noir a year), and McHenry Vineyard (300 cases of wine a year from a vineyard in Bonny Doon). For information: www.vinocruz.com or phone 831-426-8466 (VINO).

The Cork Dorks A new series for public television, “The Cork Dorks,” will be produced by WBGU-TV, Bowling Green, Ohio, and Vite Vista, LLC. The show will focus on wine education and enjoyment and attempt to demystify wine. Dan Greathouse and Keith Morris are the hosts who will go behind the scenes to explore winemaking. A sneak preview is available at www.thecorkdorks.com.

Fre Wines Sutter Home has a lineup of non-alcoholic wines, named Fre, which includes a brut sparkling wine and, of course, white zinfandel. The idea is no alcohol and less calories - ideal for the designated driver who wants to join the Holiday festivities. Sorry, no tasting notes.

WineAuctionPrices.com An online database of wine auction prices started by WineCommune LLC in partnership with William Edgerton, an expert in wine appraisal and the former editor of Wine Price File. Wine enthusiasts can appraise their collections and research wines by vintage, bottle size, auction house, date, lot price and bottle price. Soon there will be a feature that alerts subscribers to wine available at auction before the auction occurs. Subscriptions are $99 for one year at www.wineauctionprices.com.

Guide to Willamette Valley Wineries Available free at www.williamettewines.com.

Big Drinkers The United States will have the highest wine consumption in the world by 200uc