FOMO, or the fear of missing out, prompted my husband and I to abandon San Jose and move to Gilroy. With approximately 50 wineries between Morgan Hill and Hollister, the dizzying array of music, wine and food events throughout the summer—many of them free or at very low-cost—offers something for nearly everyone.
The events include a gentle yoga class, held outdoors at Satori Cellars and led by Sandy Moller, one of the owners/winemakers. Live music on the weekends is common at Satori, too, and yoga and wine fans may also find a vendor or two selling jewelry and candles.
Live music fills the evenings at wineries all summer long: Guglielmo on Wednesday, Clos LaChance on Thursday, Sarah’s Vineyard on Friday and Pietra Santa on most Saturdays. The Houserockers play Fortino on July 29. Â
Ladies Night takes place at Clos LaChance on August 12. Tribute bands play music by the Eagles, Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Def Leppard at Guerra Cellars throughout July and August.
Foodies, take note of the paella dinner at Fortino’s on August 20. Lovers of wine, port and cigars will want to RSVP for Cigars Under the Stars, August 20 and 27, at Solis Winery. Pietra Santa accommodates wine and olive oil tours on weekends, by appointment during the summer.
For activity lovers, there’s bocce at Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery, Satori Cellars, Sarah’s Vineyards and Clos LaChance Winery. A fun way to learn how wine is corked is to attend a bottle-your-own event on August 6 at Guglielmo Winery. There are classic car shows, cricket matches and dog races at Kirigin Cellars. Aver Family Vineyards has organized a memorable cruise down France’s Rhone River the week of August 5-12.
