I’ve got a lot of good news to report but I want to start with perhaps the least obvious. This is not an opening (or a closing) but rather a transfer to new owners with a new exuberance. Jocelyn Alexander and Debra Szecsei (pronounced say-chay) bought Vino Locale from original owner Randy, who has retired to Sonoma. They immediately staged an art opening (on display throughout December) and are setting about to update both the food and wine selections. The wines, all local (mainly from the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation), are sold by the glass and bottle at meals and the bar and also retail. I’ve often shopped there to buy gifts for out-of-towners, bottles they would never know about (since most think that all California wines come from Napa) or ever hope to find.

But what really feels different about Vino Locale is the sense of excitement. I’m going to try having some business lunches there and I’ve promised my daughter (recently in the wine industry) a food and wine experience and an art one (which she is as well). Jocelyn and Debra are on a mission and I don’t want to miss the ride.