I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some sunshine! Here
it is, the first day of April, and although spring technically
arrived nearly two weeks ago, the recent weather has been anything
but spring-like.
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for some sunshine! Here it is, the first day of April, and although spring technically arrived nearly two weeks ago, the recent weather has been anything but spring-like. But warmer temperatures are around the corner, as are many great wine-related events coming to our area.
Through the next week or so, I hope to highlight a few of these events that help showcase local wineries, fun, food, education and charitable causes.
One “don’t miss” event is the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Spring Barbecue, held from 12-5pm April 29 at at Casa de Fruta, located two miles east of where highways 152 and 156 meet. According to Charlie Larson, partner owner of Rappazini Winery in Gilroy, the event usually draws more than 1,000 people.
“This is a great place for a day of casual fun and wine tasting. The Casa de Fruta Country Park is a very relaxed place, and the event is low-key and inviting,” Charlie said.
More than a dozen wineries will be participating, with many of the winemakers and winery owners present to discuss wine and chat with guests. The $40 admission includes wine tasting, barrel tasting, live music and a delicious New York steak dinner with all the fixin’s.
If you ever wondered if wine and nature preservation could be combined, check out an upcoming event at Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin. On April 8, the winery will host a seminar on the preservation of hummingbirds. These popular birds have been a part of the Clos LaChance lore since the winery’s inception in 1992. Vintners Bill and Brenda Murphy chose the hummingbird as the symbol for the winery because of its territorial nature and ability to chase away other grape-eating creatures (like me) from the vineyards.
Trudi Burney, the director of education at The Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, will entertain visitors at the winery with a presentation on preserving and enjoying hummingbirds. She will discuss ways bird watchers can help prevent injury and death to these birds, including tips on creating an ideal environment, caring for injured birds, placing hummingbird feeders and more.
“This presentation not only speaks to the hearts of bird lovers, but also to our winery’s icon,” Bill said. We’re excited to join others in learning more about hummingbirds and helping to preserve them.”
This educational event is part of a weekend celebration at the winery April 8 and 9 to commemorate the inaugural spring release of several new white wines under the Hummingbird Series label. Each of these new white wines is named after a true species of hummingbird that displays similar characteristics to the wine varietal’s style. These new releases include:
n 2005 pink-throated brilliant rose: The pink-throated brilliant hummingbird is on the threatened-species list and resides in a sub-tropical environment. A blend of grenache and syrah grapes, this wine is a classic Rhone-style rose. It is crisp and dry with a touch of strawberry fruit.
n 2005 glittering-throated emerald chardonnay: Glittering-throated emerald hummingbirds are found only in South America. The males have a glittering green throat, while the females are easy identified by a white strip in the middle of the glittering green. Similarly, this chardonnay glitters with flavors. Completely aged in stainless steel tanks, the wine preserves the varietal’s tropical fruit flavors.
The winery will also release its 2005 estate sauvignon blanc and 2005 estate viognier during the festive weekend.
On another note, for good or for bad, I was contacted by the Los Angeles Times newspaper group. It seems my writing style has caught the eye of a few people down in southern California, and discussions are under way about syndicating my column across the country!
I am not sure what this completely means yet, but negotiations are under way. I am angling, selfishly, for a large expense account for tasting and travel due to the increased exposure that I will have. While my heart always will remain a part of Gilroy, I would be a “fool” not to take it.
Cheers!
Spring Barbecue
Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Spring Barbecue
– 12-5pm, April 29 at Casa de Fruta Country Park
– Food will be served from 1:30-2:30pm. No one younger than 21 will be admitted.
– Tickets are available by calling (800) 548-3813 or at these participating wineries:
Cooper-Garrod Vineyards
Pedrizzetti Winery
Emilio Guglielmo Winery
Rapazzini Winery
Fortino Winery
Sarah’s Vineyard
Hecker Pass Winery
Solis Winery
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wine
Sycamore Creek Vineyards & Winery
Kirigin Cellars
Thomas Kruse Winery
Zanger Vineyards at Casa de Fruta
Bottle of the Week
De Rose Winery, Hollister
Wine: Parrone syrah
Flavor: Vanilla aroma, blueberries, smoked bacon, with soft, round tannins
Price: $14 per bottle
Where: The wine can be purchased at the winery, 9970 Cienega Road. The winery can be reached at (831) 636-9143. The tasting room is open from 11am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
