Tickets sold out for Morgan Hill’s sixth annual Wine Stroll held Saturday making it one of the most successful events ever for the Morgan Hill Downtown Association. Trying to keep up with the ever-increasing demand, the MHDA offered 1,250 tickets for the event, 250 more than last year.
“On the day of the event, the few remaining un-sold tickets were snapped up quickly—even at $10 over the advance ticket price,” said Raquel Crowell, office manager for the MHDA. “People were just happy they were able to get in.”
Twenty-one local wineries were paired with 21 different merchants along Monterey Street, from Main to Fifth streets. The weather was sunny and breezy, with El Toro—an emerald green after the recent rains—rising up as a backdrop to the throngs of people who came out to enjoy food, shopping and especially the fine wine brought in and poured from area wineries.
The family and dog-friendly event included people of all ages; babies in strollers pushed by parents, well-behaved dogs on leashes and baby-boomers filled the sidewalks and stores.
New this year was a second “check-in” location, which sped up the entrance process of tickets and wristbands. Attendees received a logo wine glass and tote bag with the opportunity to sample more than 40 wines. A few restaurants provided special small plates for purchase to compliment the flavor profiles of the wine.
Rebecca and Mark Samuel, owners of the new Happy Spatula and whose store had a line out the door, hosted Aver Family Vineyards wine. Many visitors left the store with a new kitchen tool and a temporary “Savor Aver” tattoo.
“The Wine Stroll is phenomenal and the exposure is amazing,” Rebecca said. “It’s so exciting to see the town so vibrant with people.”
Bubbles Wine Bar, focusing on California wines paired with organic local cuisine, hosted Martin Ranch and was another venue with a line that stretched to the sidewalk. Owner David Dindak was rushing about—but all smiles and pleased with the turnout.
“Our caramelized leek blue cheese and pear flatbread has been a very popular pairing with the Martin Ranch wines,” he said.
Using the map provided, some visitors made strategic decisions about which shops to visit, depending on the wines they wanted to taste. Others took a leisurely stroll in and out of the shops, tasting the wines each shop was hosting.
“It was a great way to taste all the new wineries (wines) and visit some of the businesses I had never even heard of,” said Gilroy resident Darlene Drace as she strolled out of The Hill Bar and Grill, one of the newest downtown eateries that featured DeRose Winery.
Designated drivers, wearing special wrist bracelets, were rewarded with free entrance and snacks such as gelato ice cream cones. Dotted along the sidewalks were various musicians playing a mix of folk music, soft rock and inside Grinds, Vines & Automobilia Cafe, the blues was belted out by a talented songstress to wild applause.
Winemakers estimated they poured a total of 200 gallons of wine during the afternoon event. At select locations along the way, some wines were available for purchase.
Leah De Lane, owner of FastFrame and whose shop was elbow-to-elbow with people, thought the event was a huge success and brought out more people than ever before.
“This is the best year so far for attendance,” she said.
Leading up to the Wine Stroll was the second annual Wine Week, which offered wine education, winemaker dinners and free corkage for local wines at select restaurants.
The money raised from the Wine Stroll benefits the MHDA, a nonprofit organization that supports downtown business.
Bev Stenehjem is a wine columnist for South Valley Newspapers. Reach her at be***********@gm***.com.
