Hollister
– The San Benito County Winegrower’s Association is inviting the
public to attend its fifth annual Passport Weekend, an event to
showcase local wineries.
Hollister – The San Benito County Winegrower’s Association is inviting the public to attend its fifth annual Passport Weekend, an event to showcase local wineries.
The event is a chance for county residents to learn about and appreciate local wines, said Theresa Martin, owner of Night Out Limousine and public relations coordinator for the event. Eight county wineries will be offering wine tasting, food, entertainment and full access to facilities, she said.
“You’re not just going from one tasting room facade to another,” Martin said.
The 2006 Passport Weekend drew about 750 people, Martin said. This year’s event will run from 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, and will begin with a special gala dinner at 6pm Friday at the Inn at Tres Pinos.
The $30 passport ticket is valid for both Saturday and Sunday. A ticket including Friday’s gala dinner costs $150 per person.
The self-guided event can be started from any of the eight wineries.
Kelly Alvernaz, assistant marketing director for Pietra Santa Winery, said the event helps showcase the Cienega Valley. Pietra Santa Winery will be holding its event in both its tasting room and on the floor of the winery itself, Alvernaz said.
“We kind of make our working winery into an event center for the weekend,” she said.
Pat DeRose, co-owner of DeRose Vineyards, said the event furthers efforts to make the county a tourist destination.
“We’re bringing people into San Benito County who don’t know we have a nice wine trail here,” DeRose said.
DeRose said that because the event is two days long, Passport Weekend participants can see the wineries at their leisure.
“The ticket allows you to get around to all the wineries,” DeRose said.
Josh Jensen, owner and head winemaker of Calera Wine Company, said attendees have a chance to experience the different styles of wines in San Benito County.
“It’s a once-a-year open house for the wineries,” Jensen said.
Winemakers and owners from the wineries featured in the Passport Weekend will attend the gala dinner, Martin said.
“It’s just going to be a very nice, formal, yet friendly environment,” she said.
Mike Howard, the owner of the Inn at Tres Pinos, said the dinner will feature eight courses paired with up to two wines from the participating wineries.
Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the creation of a culinary program at San Benito High School, Howard said.
Teaming with the Community Foundation, Howard hopes to begin the San Benito High School Culinary Foundation from which the program can draw funding.
“I realize the importance of having a strong labor pool to draw from,” Howard said.
Michael Van Cassell covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
