Published in the September 28 – October 11, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

Mark Fenichel

The Santa Clara Valley Wine Association’s Passport Weekend is here Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Many of our South County wineries will be opening their doors with wine tastings, food sampling and live music. This is a great opportunity to sample the amazing variety of wine from our rich and fertile growing region.

From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center in downtown Morgan Hill will feature many of the participating wineries offering samples in one location. (If you want to attend this event, please select this as your ticket type when purchasing your passport to pick up on Friday night.)

As a Passport holder, you have the opportunity to meet the talented winemakers and staff of the Santa Clara Valley’s family-owned wineries, and learn how they produce some of the world’s finest wines.

You can expect up to four one-ounce pours at each winery you visit during the weekend. Participating wineries may have food and entertainment, pour special select or library wines, offer barrel samples and many will offer attractive discounts on Passport Weekend.

Throughout the weekend, simply bring your souvenir glass to each winery to receive your wine tasting. The winery will use a unique stamp on their designated page in your Passport to commemorate your valued participation, much like an entry visa.

You can make notes on the wines and wineries you most enjoyed, and return in for future sampling.

Many local and regional musicians will be present to entertain during this Passport Weekend event. Solo artist Jeff Smith will be playing his guitar, mandolin and uke from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Blended. They’ll also have food from GVA.

David Johnson will be singing his heart out from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fortino Winery.

Morgan Hill Cellars will be presenting “The Fancy Nancy Band” featuring Nancy Wenstrom on guitar and vocals along with Bay Area blues guitarist Walter Jebe performing rock, blues, roots, country and original music from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and the Four of Hearts will play from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Aver Family Vineyards will feature live music from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday . Saturday they will be presenting the wonderful duo “Honeywood” featuring the talented couple George and Cindy Nowicki performing classic rock, ballads and some country and blues as well.

Sunlit Oaks Winery in the hills above Gilroy has local band The Northern Rebels rocking out the crowd with their original and classic rock music Saturday afternoon from 2-5 p.m. On Sunday Sunlit Oaks has Just Picked.

Rapazzini will also have live music Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. with Two for the Show. To buy advanced tickets and get more information go to www.santaclarawines.com.
If there are tickets left, you may be able to purchase them at one of the wineries or on Sept. 30 at the Community Center event. However, it makes the most sense to save a little by getting your tickets in advance and getting a good designated driver.
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On another note, the South Valley Symphony is opening their 43rd season with a very special show Oct. 8 at the Gavilan Community College’s theater. “From Broadway to Hollywood” features music from popular movies and Broadway shows. As Tony Quartuccio, the symphony’s music director, puts it, this show will be “light and fun” for the entire family. They have designed the show to appeal to everyone — even if you may never consider this type of event, it is worth a shot. It’s a celebration of Hollywood and it’s most glamorous composers and film scorers. If you like music, I encourage you to take advantage of this very first show of the season. For tickets and more information, go to www.southvalley symphony.org.

If you have a local music tip and want everyone to know about it send me an email at [email protected] and it may appear in this column.