Local residents can peruse downtown’s myriad shopping
attractions while tasting the fruit of local vineyards this weekend
as the Gilroy Downtown Business Association hosts its first
Downtown Wine Stroll.
Local residents can peruse downtown’s myriad shopping attractions while tasting the fruit of local vineyards this weekend as the Gilroy Downtown Business Association hosts its first Downtown Wine Stroll.
Fifteen businesses will pair up with Santa Clara Valley wineries during the event, which also will include special offers from downtown restaurants and entertainment at some local businesses.
“It’s really going to be a great opportunity for downtown to show off what there is to see and do,” said Jane Howard, executive director of the Gilroy Visitors Bureau.
In addition to opportunities to taste local wines, ticket holders will be able to get special deals at participating restaurants during the event. Those include OD’s Kitchen, Station 55 Bar and Grill, Los Pericos, Garlic City Cafe and Lizarran Tapas Restaurant.
The downtown association is encouraging all businesses to do something fun for the event, Howard said.
Some artists will have their work on display at the event, and a few businesses will offer entertainment. That includes flamenco guitar music at the La Aldea live-work complex at Eigleberry and Fourth streets, rock music at Lizarran Tapas Restaurant, 7400 Monterey St., and a disc jockey at Heritage Bank, 7598 Monterey St.
At least one downtown business owner and St. Joseph’s Family Center’s downtown street team are sprucing up downtown to prepare for the big event.
Amber Madrone, owner of Mango Street Kids at 7579 Monterey St., is putting up window displays in a few vacant downtown buildings in hopes of beautifying the street. The street team, which provides opportunities for local homeless people to be compensated for cleaning Gilroy streets, is helping with some of the exterior work.
“It’s just really exciting to see the collaborative effort and how everyone is jumping on board,” Madrone said.
Howard also noted that residents can check out a new downtown kiosk – a kind of area map – at Fifth and Monterey streets.
Folks who arrive early this Saturday can check out a 1 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony at Leedo Gallery, which recently moved from First Street to 7436 Monterey St.
The store will serve up Trader Joe’s famed “Two-Buck Chuck” – or Charles Shaw brand, as it is more formally called – wines at the event, gallery owner Charlie Clark said. The gallery may continue serving the wines at the Wine Stroll if there is anything left over, he said.
Although only 500 tickets are available for the Wine Stroll, some tickets may be available during the day of the event, Howard said. Still, she encouraged people to buy tickets in advance.
Attendees will bring their tickets to the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, 7471 Monterey St., where they will receive a wine glass and a wrist band.
Saturday’s event runs from 3 to 6 p.m., but check in will start at 2:30 p.m., Howard said. Tickets, which cost $20 apiece, are available at the Gilroy Visitors Bureau, 7780 Monterey St., as well as participating businesses.
For information: 847-7611 or www.downtowngilroy.org.
Downtown Wine Stroll at a glance
When: 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday; Check in starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, 7471 Monterey St.
Where: Monterey Street between Third and Sixth streets
Cost: $20 per person. Tickets available in advance at Gilroy Visitors Bureau, 7780 Monterey St., and at participating businesses.
Details: 847-7611 or www.downtowngilroy.org.
