As I write this, it has finally stopped raining
– at least for today. The sun is shining, it’s 70 degrees, birds
are singing, and trees and grapevines alike are sporting new
leaves. All in all, it’s a great time of year, spring is.
Everything is green and clean, filled with bright promise.
As I write this, it has finally stopped raining – at least for today. The sun is shining, it’s 70 degrees, birds are singing, and trees and grapevines alike are sporting new leaves. All in all, it’s a great time of year, spring is. Everything is green and clean, filled with bright promise.
Not that we have a whole lot to complain about, winter-wise. Sure, it occasionally gets a little chilly at night (one morning I inadvertently left our sprinkler system on, and when I went outside I ended up flat on my butt because the sidewalk was frozen), and it rains a bit, but it’s nothing compared to the snow, ice and slush that the middle of the country is burdened with.
Spring also means that it’s time for outdoor festivals, concerts, rodeos and winery events. And if you like wine tasting, there are some interesting events coming in April.
• If you’ve never tried chocolate with a rich red wine, this may be your chance. Today, Saturday April 2, the Hollister Downtown Association is putting on Sweets and Wines of San Benito County, showcasing local wines from Calera, Pietra Santa, DeRose, Flint, Enz and others. Candy (including chocolate!) will be from Elegant Touch, B and R Farms, Kayla’s Kandie and others.
This event is staged by the Hollister Downtown Association, and will also include a fashion show, a display of local art and food. Sweets and Wines will be at Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street in Hollister from 5pm to 8pm, and tickets are available at the door.
• Next week is the 7th Annual South Valley Wine Auction. Held at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center, the event is presented by the South Valley Athletic Foundation. The idea is to raise funds for the cross country and track and field programs at several different schools, but for attendees, it just looks like a way to sample some really good wines and food.
Participating wineries include Windy Oaks Vineyards of Corralitos, pouring their Gold Medal-winning Pinot Noir, Buena Vista’s Carneros Reserve Chardonnay, Fernwood Cellar’s Late Harvest El Dorado Zinfandel, Hahn’s Estate Santa Lucia Highland’s Cabernet Franc and Pessagno Vineyard’s Hames Valley Port.
Food will be provided by a variety of restaurants and caterers, but the real story here is the auction. Lots of rare and wonderful items will be auctioned, including a “Sideways” tasting for two at Sunstone Winery, a 1986 Beringer Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet (1990 Wine Spectator Wine of the Year) signed by winemaker Ed Sbragia and a chance to go on the Gallo Sonoma Tour. This tour takes you behind the scenes at Gallo properties in Healdsburg and includes at special vintner’s lunch.
The South Valley Wine Auction is held this year on Friday, April 8. Tickets can be purchased by calling (408) 778-9501 or by logging on to www.svwineauction.org.
• Yes, Virginia, there is a San Benito Wine Grower’s Association, and they are putting on the second annual Food, Wine and Golf Classic on April 22. The tournament includes a four-person scramble followed by a seven-course dinner featuring San Benito County wines. Members of the Association are Calera, DeRose, Enz, Flint Wine Cellars, Pessagno, Pietra Santa and Summerayne.
It’s a good bet that most if not all of those wineries will be represented. If you don’t play golf, you can still participate by attending the dinner only. If you choose, you can also play golf and not attend the dinner, but I can’t imagine why anyone would.
• Speaking of the Grower’s Association, their popular Passport Weekend is coming up toward the end of May. I’ll have more info on that in coming weeks.
• Casa de Fruta isn’t all about cup flipping, the Renaissance Faire and rusty farm equipment. The Spring BBQ and Wine Tasting proves that. The idea behind this is to raise money to promote tourism to area wineries. It’s going to be on April 30 from noon to 5pm and such wineries as Guglielmo, Rapazzini, Sarah’s, Hecker Pass, Fortino, Kruse, Zanger and others will be represented.
In addition to the wine, a New York steak BBQ with all the trimmings is included. There will also be live music and dancing. The event also features such undignified and fun things as wine barrel rolling races and tug of war. But kids are not invited: this is strictly for those 21 and over. Tickets can be obtained by calling Rapazzini at (800) 842-MAMA (6262).
• And now for something completely different: “I Got Taxed!” Comedy Night at Léal Vineyards will be held, appropriately, on April 15. Featuring funnyman Michael Mancini, there will also be live music with Vent and a D.J. For tickets, call the winery at (831) 636-1023.
From time to time, Wine Chat will include listings of upcoming wine events in the area. To have your event listed, send e-mail to Michael Chatfield at: wi******@***********ws.com.
