Gilroy’s Annual Art and Wine Stroll packed the streets of downtown for the fifth year in a row with more than 500 people in attendance. Under sunny blue skies, a record 25 wineries and 24 retailers participated, up from a count of 20 from last year. The weather was just cool enough to enjoy the red wines along with the chilled white wines.
The event was held along Monterey Street, with a check-in station at Fourth Street and another check-in station at Seventh Street. Live bands performed at both check-in stations, Red Barn Rockerz at Pinnacle Bank and Vital Signz at the Center for the Arts, to welcome the strollers. Lined with planters of colorful flowers, Monterey Street remained open during the event, unlike past years, to allow business as usual for our shops and visitors.
Artists on the Green were placed on the lawn area next to the Center for the Arts where people checked in and bought their tickets—making it easy to view the artwork. The art ranged from abstract to contemporary. Ben Leone, a stroller and himself an artist from San Jose remarked, “Sipping fine wine while meeting the artists is a great way to bring attention to the arts.”
A family and dog-friendly event, strollers included local celebrities such as Mayor Don Gage, Chief of Police Denise Turner, council members Terri Aulman, Perry Woodward and Cat Tucker, and our newspapers’ illustrious, former executive editor, Mark Derry. Chief Turner exclaimed, “I’ve attended the Gilroy Wine Stroll every year, and this year is the best ever with an amazing collection of Bay Area local wineries and wonderful people.”
Inside the Chamber of Commerce offices, Mike Bernstein, winemaker at WildEye Winery, noticed a lot of new faces. “This is a wine-oriented crowd who seems genuinely interested in learning about the wines and where they can find them.”
Heather Pacheco, owner of Shag Beauty Bar, provided complimentary “stress-fix” treatments, arm and hand massages using lavender-infused lotions, while a shop full of strollers sipped carignane and muscat wines from Martin Ranch Winery.
Business was hopping inside the shops, which ranged from old-timers like the Vacuum Center, pouring Guglielmo wines to the newest shops like Queen of Hearts Boutique, pouring Sunlit Oaks wines. Bella Viva, downtown’s upscale wine bar, was busy inside and out, with wines being poured by Medeiros Family Wines and Passagno Winery.
At Leedo Art and Framing, Maryclaire and Mike Sampognaro were pouring two of their Morgan Hill Cellars top sellers, a refreshing sauvignon blanc and smooth petite sirah.
For the first time, the event welcomed Calera Winey Company with their world-renowned pinot noirs, pouring at Pinnacle Bank.
All of the restaurants were open, with special Stroll offers like the popular sliders from The Milias Restaurant. Strollers at Old City Hall restaurant enjoyed Satori Cellars Oh-So Zin and Chardonnay of the Pink Ray along with complimentary snacks and live music by Michael Annotti.
New this year was the addition of two food trucks, Scoops and California Driven, parked on Monterey Street between Fourth and Fifth streets for quick grabs during the Stroll.
Melanie Corona, the event’s chairperson, said that “The 12 members of our volunteer planning committee considered every detail and have worked so well together to make this event memorable.” Proceeds will benefit the Gilroy Downtown Business Association’s general fund.
Approximately 50 cases or 600 bottles of wine was poured during the event.
Pinnacle Bank—Calera Wine Company
Heritage Bank of Commerce—Solis Winery
Ashford’s Heirlooms—Aimee June Winery
Nimble Thimble & Garlic City Mercantile—Aver Family Vineyards
5th Street Coffee—Sarah’s Vineyard
Station 55 Restaurant—DeRose Vineyards
The Pixley House/Excel Auto Body—Pietra Santa Winery
Amoretto Boutique—Guerra Family Cellars
Realty Executives of Gilroy—Creekview Vineyards
Kutz & Colors—Fortino Winery
Collective Past—Casa de Fruta
Gilroy Medical Supply—Hecker Pass Winery
Gilroy Garlic Festival Association—Sycamore Creek
Gilroy Chamber of Commerce—WildEye Winery
Vacuum Center—Guglielmo Winery
Shag Beauty Bar—Martin Ranch Winery
Leedo Art & Framing—Morgan Hill Cellars
Queen of Hearts Boutique—Sunlit Oaks Winery
Bella Viva—Medeiros Family Wines/Passagno Winery
Old City Hall—Satori Cellars
Predator’s Archery—Kirigin Cellars
Gilroy Demonstration Gardens—Mann Cellars
Limelight Actors Theater—Clos LaChance Winery
Gilroy Center for the Arts—Fernwood Cellars
