Since Los Gatan Stuart Ferguson took over as CEO in October of 2002—hired by a quartet of local owners—he's made changes that include in-house catering with a new chef, upgraded wine and the replanting of seven acres of vineyard with cabernet grapes. Beginning this month, the public is invited to the winery to enjoy wine tasting and wine-pairing dinners, with a different event planned each month.

"We're now open to the public, where previously we held only catered events [during the fall, winter and spring months]," says Tara Parmenter, wine program manager for Mountain Winery. Parmenter explains that the winery's summer season was taken up with its traditional concerts held for the public since 1954. "The rest of the year was private. Now we're more accessible."

In 1999, Saratogans Jack Smith, Elizabeth Dodson and David House joined Los Gatan Bill Hirschman to purchase the 605-acre property that was first planted in the 1890s by Paul Masson as his "vineyard in the sky." In recent years, private dinners were handled by independent caterer Chateau La Cresta, from facilities on the grounds. Since June, however, a new executive chef employed by Mountain Winery—Rodney Baca of Cupertino—has been running the kitchen in the Chateau building, assisted by banquet chef Trinadad Gutierrez. Baca, 27, is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy.

The first winemaker dinner Baca plans will be Jan. 20. He has designed a menu to enhance the wines from Mt. Eden Vineyards.

Baca's five-course dinner, with appropriate wine pairing, includes pan-fried oysters on baby spinach salad; braised Mediterranean loup de mar (sea bass) with green and white asparagus and truffle jus; sauteed filet mignon with whole roasted garlic, braised carrots and pearl onions; fresh and fried parsley with red Burgundy sauce; an assorted cheese platter; and passion-fruit sorbet.

Cost for the evening is $150, including wine, tax and tip.

Valentine's Day on Feb. 14 is the reason for February's wine-pairing dinner featuring Santa Cruz Mountain wines served in the Chateau building. The Chateau seats up to 60 guests in a friendly arrangement overlooking the sparkling lights of Silicon Valley below. Baca's planned menu—again five courses—features entrees of braised striped bass and pan-seared filet "Rossini-style," so called because it includes foie gras (duck livers), truffles and a demi-glas sauce. Such dishes were named after Gioacchino Rossini, a 19th century Italian composer, because of his passionate love of food. In Rossini's time, great banquets were sometimes accompanied by music he composed especially for the occasion. Music will accompany the winery dinner. Cost is $150, all inclusive.

The public also is invited to taste Mountain Winery wines once a month on Sunday. The next wine tasting is Feb. 15.

The Mountain Winery is located at 14831 Pierce Road, Saratoga. Call 408.741.2822 or visit http://www.mountainwinery.com.