Los Gatos Wine Walk Just Around the Corner

The extended weather forecast is showing a gorgeous, sunny day for Saturday, when locals and visitors will stroll along the streets of Los Gatos sipping wine, munching treats and shopping during the third-annual Spring Wine Walk.

Could there be a more enjoyable way to support your town?

Tickets are $35 each until midnight Thursday and $40 on the day of event, if available, from 1:45-3 p.m. at the Wine Walk check-in booth, 100 No. Santa Cruz Ave. 

The downtown wine tasting will be from 2-5 p.m., and the Old Town Amphitheater tasting takes place 3-6 p.m.

Dianne Anderson, president of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, said proceeds from the event are used by the town's Visitors Bureau to continue to promote Los Gatos as the delightful destination that it is and for ongoing events and activities.

Anderson said the bureau, a partnership between the and the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, has organized wine walks since 2009.

“The purpose of all of our events is to bring new and returning shoppers, wine lovers, foodies and spa-goers to Los Gatos to enjoy all the delights the town has to offer,” Anderson said.

The event will be the chamber's biggest ever, with 27 wineries pouring at 21 downtown locations and another six wineries pouring at the Old Town Amphitheater, in conjunction with music and small nibbles offered by a few of the local eateries, Anderson added.

Eighteen local merchants have also donated raffle prizes, and there will be a “buy booth” where people can purchase many of the wines they’ll taste that day. As Anderson explained, many of the small wineries don’t have tasting rooms, so the Wine Walk is a great opportunity for wine lovers to discover the wineries' “tasty treasures.”

Shop While You Sip

Stores will be open and welcoming to wine walkers who want to browse and shop.

Attendees of previous wine walks have told event organizers they've been delighted to discover many of the wonderful shops that they didn't realize were in downtown Los Gatos, Anderson said. 

Laura Ness, a wine columnist and marketing consultant for the Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries and the Summit to Sea Wine Trail, said many shops will offer special incentives to wine walkers.

And, she continued, “the Wine Walk introduces visitors to the beautiful town of Los Gatos, called "The Gem of Silicon Valley," with its delightful blend of old world charm and modern style.

The Wines

Ness also provided the lowdown on what some of the wineries will be serving:

Guglielmo, a traditional Italian family-owned third-generation winery from Morgan Hill, will pour pinot grigio and petite sirah.

Aver Family, from Santa Clara Valley, will serve estate-grown Family Album and Heritage Cabernet.

Big Basin Vineyards, from the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, will pour its new rose and Homestead Syrah, and perhaps the 2008 Alfaro Pinot Noir.

Fleming-Jenkins will offer its 2010 Victories rose, 2008 Madden Ranch Syrah from Livermore Valley and 2007 Choreography.

And Poetic Cellars, with “some of the most innovative wines in the region,” according to Ness, will feature its 2009 Mirage Rose of Syrah and Mourvedre, 2007 Mourvedre and 2006 Petite Sirah.

Tasty Treats

While you’re sipping, you can enjoy tasty treats from , and .

Hobee’s manager Sergio Gutierrez said the restaurant will serve coffee cake from 3-4:30 p.m.

Cherie Long, manager at Willow Street Wood Fired Pizza, said the restaurant will offer a variety of its delicious pizzas.

For more information on the Spring Wine Walk, visit the Chamber’s website.