Pinkies up, local oenophiles: A hallowed biannual event dedicated to enjoying delicious wine, tasty tapas and merry company in the beautiful stretches of South County countryside is fast approaching.
The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley Passport Weekend is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 through Sunday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a $30 Passport ticket, the annual wine lovers’ delight offers free tastings of award-winning vino, barrel samples, new releases, tours, music, BBQ fare, antipasti and special discounts at 20 wineries participating in the promotion.
Local businesses are also getting in the mix.
In Gilroy, Best Western Inn is offering a $99 room rate; West Side Grill will have free corkage for Santa Clara Valley wines; and local artist Jeanie Watson is offering 10 percent off her paintings, which are on display at Solis Winery on Hecker Pass in Gilroy.
In Morgan Hill, Ladera Grill and Rosy’s At The Beach are offering free corkage, while in San Martin, Valle del Sur Gallery is discounting its signed and matted art prints starting at $35.
A passport can be purchased at the Gilroy Visitor Center in the outlets at 8155 Arroyo Circle, the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce at 17485 Monterey Road (#105), or at individual wineries. For more details, visit www.santaclarawines.com.
Participating local wineries are:
-Casa de Fruta (10021 Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister)
-Clos La Chance (1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin)
-Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards (22645 Garrod Road, Saratoga)
-Creekview Vineyards (12467 Creekview Court, San Martin)
-Fortino Winery (4525 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy)
-Guglielmo Winery (1480 East Main Avenue, Morgan Hill)
-Hecker Pass Winery (4605 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy)
-Jason/Stephens Winery (11775 Watsonville Road, Gilroy)
-Kirigin Cellars (11550 Watsonville Road, Gilroy)
-Lightheart Cellars (305 Roosevelt Avenue, San Martin)
-Mann Cellars (7475 Crews Road, Gilroy)
-Martin Ranch Winery (6675 Redwood Retreat Road, Gilroy)
-Monte Verde Vineyards (13775 Sycamore Drive, Morgan Hill)
-Morgan Hill Cellars (1645 San Pedro Avenue, Morgan Hill)
-Rapazzini Winery (4350 Monterey Road, Gilroy)
-Sarah’s Vineyard (4005 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy)
-Satori Cellars (2100 Buena Vista Avenue, Gilroy)
-Solis Winery (3920 Hecker Pass Hwy, Gilroy)
-Sunlit Oaks Winery (7602 Sunlit Oaks Court, Gilroy)
-Thomas Kruse Winery (3200 Dryden Avenue, Gilroy)
