Published in the April 16-29, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Cheri Devlin
Cheri Devlin
Sure, Napa and Sonoma are great for attracting tourists from all over the country and the occasional girl’s getaway weekend, but I’d much rather enjoy a glass of Creekview’s medal-winning 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, or the 2010 EmmaLily Madeline Cabernet from Morgan Hill, chatting it up with our local winemakers in a friendly environment where they make you feel like family (and not just because I’m a wine club member), than a stuffy tasting room two hours away for a hefty tasting fee and teaser pour.
During my business travels I love educating colleagues and clients who claim to “know” good wine in Northern California but are absolutely clueless about the hidden gems being produced in Santa Clara County. And let’s not leave out Santa Cruz, San Benito and even Monterey counties. I even find myself in similar conversations when I’m visiting friends on the peninsula, where we lived before finding Morgan Hill. Wine lovers are only now starting to discover the terrific wines made here.
With the Morgan Hill Downtown Association’s flagship Wine Stroll event set for next week and the precursor Wine Week kicking off, April 20, you have the perfect opportunity to experience local wine at its best. From 1 to 5 p.m. April 26, more than 20 of our downtown merchants and restaurants, including marquee sponsor Ladera Grill, will play host to some of the best wineries in the area. Participating wineries include: Aimee June Winery, Aver Family Vineyards, Clos La Chance, Creekview Vineyards, Dancing Creek Winery, DeRose Winery, Fortino Winery, Guglielmo Winery, Hecker Pass Winery, Kirigin Cellars, Leal Estate Vineyards, Lightheart Cellars, Mann Cellars, Martin Ranch Winery, Medeiros Family Wines, Morgan Hill Cellars, Sarah’s Vineyard, Sunlit Oaks Winery, Tank House, Thomas Kruse Winery and WildEye Winery.
The Wine Stroll Committee is led by MHDA Office Manager Raquel Crowell and MHDA Vice President Reeno Nemec, with the support of committed MHDA members. The final weeks of planning are running smooth, and this year’s stroll is on par to be better than year’s past. New this year, guests will find an additional check-in area at Monterey Road and Third Street. The ticket price includes a tote bag and there will be special give-away items for designated drivers.
“I love this event. Downtown comes alive with community, business owners and wineries sharing the stroll,” Nemec said. “And it’s a great way to support downtown and our wineries.”
Tickets are available at participating businesses, as well as the MHDA office and BookSmart for $30 presale and $40 day of the event (if still available). But you’ve been warned: this event usually sells out and tickets are selling quickly, so don’t wait too long to purchase your tickets.
Check the MHDA website (www.morganhilldowntown.org) for updates on ticket availability and for a full list of Wine Week events (that are separate from your Wine Stroll tickets), including Wine Tasting 101 at Bubbles Wine Bar, port tasting with cigar pairing at Morgan Hill Cigar Company and Wine Shop, a wine-themed painting party at Rosy’s at the Beach, and an Odeum Wine dinner.
Cheri Devlin is a Morgan Hill resident and president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Board of Directors. She is an Associate Director at KPMG, LLP who loves writing about life as a working mom. Find her blog at www.talesofcorporate-mommyhood.blogspot.com.
