Only two things could draw baseball fans away from the glowing
screen last Thursday night. Wine and food of course! The first
meeting/social of the newly forming South Valley Grape Grower and
Winemaker Association took place during game time at the historic
Machado School.
Only two things could draw baseball fans away from the glowing screen last Thursday night. Wine and food of course! The first meeting/social of the newly forming South Valley Grape Grower and Winemaker Association took place during game time at the historic Machado School.
The meeting was organized by Paella Girl Alexia Johnson and her wine-growing and wine-making husband Todd (Todd doesn’t golf, preferring to spend green fees on winemaking equipment). The vision of the association is to bring together home wine growers and makers with their commercial counterparts for educational and social events (and cheap advice!).
Interested attendees included John Bryce and Kate and Jeff Abate (Kate related her technique of encouraging birds and pests into her husband’s vineyard to cut down on production. She has also taken up plumbing and electrical work.)
Retired chemist Robert Kupps joined the group for the love of winemaking and because he has time! (OK, Robert, don’t rub it in). Dave Rich, Tim Hendricks, Ramune Ambrozaitis, Jim Stevenson and Bob Britton joined the group to gather with others passionate about the area’s potential for prestige.
Wine grower Steve Dorcich added his expertise in South Valley grape production to the group’s membership and entertained us with his animated tales. Dave Heiber, winemaker from Sarah’s Vineyard, admitted tearing himself away from the baseball game but was gracious in giving out the cheap advice the homemakers sought. Visiting from Kent, Ohio was retired professor-turned-chef Dr. Robert Clawson and his wife Judy savoring the “not-Ohio-weather October” and the plethora of unlabeled bottles of member’s own vintages.
Voting not to take a break over the holidays, the membership plans to meet again in November and welcomes any and all who have a few vines. Call Alexia Johnson for next month’s gathering spot at (408) 779-3628.
The local golf course restaurants have been kept busy playing backdrop to a flurry of dinner and silent/live auctions. Saturday night, parents and supporters of Jackson Elementary attended the “in vogue” way to raise funds at Coyote Creek Golf Course. Eighty people, including Dennis Kennedy, Swanee Edwards, Greg Sellers, Larry Carr, Kathleen Sullivan and Mike Davenport (all of whom happen to be running for something in the political arena) vied for a peek at the silent auction items and enjoyed the musical talents of Marilyn Markham on the keyboard. When reminded of their upcoming tricycle race at the Family Franken Festival next weekend, Sellers and Carr assured me they have a plan to get even with Kennedy after the Aquatic Center Opening political pool race. It’s rumored Specialized Bicycles has a fully functional, modified, carbon-fiber, composite alloy trike (with fenders by Custom Chrome) for Sellers capable of smoking the competition (Greg also smiled and said; “This is where being short comes in handy!”).
Becky Corvese, Jackson Home and School Club President reported an estimated $13,000 was raised from the event and the big bidders of the evening, David and Christel Yehle took home a certificate for dinner for 10 at Clos La Chance Winery with the food prepared by Chef Charles Lewis. Mark and Mary Sue Sochan contributed generously to the proceeds as well (did you guys make the conversion from Canadian $’s?) The fashion award went to Principal Karen Tavares for the gorgeous tasseled evening coat (extremely classy, Karen). Well done, Jaguars.
At the other end of the valley, Gilroy Foundation hosted its “Day in the Country” on Saturday evening at CordeValle Golf Club. Event Chair Shaun Moen was thrilled and relieved the rain didn’t keep the guests away and even “made the evening very romantic.” Moen thanks Stephanie Chaney, CordeValle events coordinator, for a “Go-to, never-say-“no-it-can’t-happen” attitude. “Ms. Chaney’s staff never faltered and provided beautiful tents creating a cozy atmosphere for the silent auction portion of the night.”
Bill and Don Christopher made for spirited live auctioneers pumping the room full of energy and excitement as well as eager bidding. One of the largest items sold during the evening went to Jeff and Pam Martin of Gilroy. The lucky and soon-to-be-tan bidders won the right to a trip to Kauai on a five-night vacation getaway. Included in with the item was a tour of Kauai gardens guided by former Gilroy residents Glen and Jane Goldsmith (now Island residents). Their offspring, Joel and his wife Paula attended the auction with Paula acting as this year’s procurement chairperson.
Wine procurement for the evening was headed by Jodi Heinzen and Jim Rhodes who beckoned eight wineries plus Coast Range Brewery to pour their fine liquid. Donna and Ron Pray, executive of the foundation and founding member respectively, unveiled the foundation’s new logo via power point and the “Rocky Theme.”
Carmel Valley resident J.B. Howard proved some birthdays can be lucky by winning a trip to Puerto Vallarta in the deck of cards raffle. “The calls keep coming in raving about the event,” states a tired Moen two days into her recovery.
Moen estimates a $40,000 profit for the foundation was made from the event. Don’t worry Shaun. You’ve got a few months before you’ll be up and running on the plans for next year.
Ciao for now.
