Taste of Soquel Draws a Crowd

Saturday’s third annual Taste of Soquel charity event brought out local residents and businesses to support Second Harvest Food Band. Sponsored by the Congregational Church of Soquel and the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce, this year’s event attracted another big crowd to sample wine, food, music and other entertainment.

A Taste of Soquel takes does not take its name lightly, as all the restaurants and wineries participating have Soquel addresses.

“We draw a friendly line, but a hard line,” said event official Laura Hamby, who added, “We have every winery with a Soquel address.”

In addition to the tastings from Hunter Hill Vineyard, Bargetto Winery, Soquel Vineyards, and Poetic Cellars—which all drew well for their tastings—Soquel institutions Aldo’s, Michael’s on Main and Tortilla Flats all were out serving food and doing their part to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Tortilla Flats' offering received high praise from the crowd.

“Their meatballs are amazing,” said Kate Kenny, attending the event for the first time.

Main St. Garden Café and Fogline Farm joined together together for one of the most well-frequented booths with their fresh organic local bites, all made with sustainable foods.

While event-goers sampled some of the best food and wine Soquel has to offer, they were also helping to feed local children who may not have enough to eat of their own. Last year’s event raised enough money to feed 20,000 meals to children, and this year’s event looked on pace to surpass that number.