Harvest Festival with The Summit Wineries

The winegrape harvest is well underway in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and wine lovers can experience some of the action with The Summit Wineries during their Harvest Festival the weekend of October 5 & 6, 12:00-5:00.

The five wineries along Summit Road above Los Gatos invite you to a festive harvest weekend at the wineries, with vineyard and crush tours, live music, food, artisan gifts by local artists, and wine (of course!). Each winery will offer a different experience celebrating the harvest, so visit them all

At Silver Mountain (Silver Mountain Drive, off of Miller-Cut-off, off the Old San Jose-Soquel Rd.)  Tour the winery and certified organic vineyard and see crush in action! Live music; artisan gifts; small plates for lunch; wine tasting from the generous wine list; wine specials. Picnics welcome! (Silver Mountain is open Saturday, Oct. 5 only.)

At Burrell School (24060

Summit Rd.): Harvest 'show and tell'; samples of Love Morsels (chocolate enrobed Southern heritage fruitcakes) and live music with slack key guitarist Tim Fuller.

At MJA Vineyards (24900

Highland Way): Live music, reserve and barrel tasting; food pairings by Kristen; and play 'Are you as smart as a sommelier?' (a blind tasting contest with prizes).

At Villa del Monte (23076

Summit Rd.): Fresly pressed grape juice to taste, in addition to a selection of wines. Free iris rhizomes from winemaker Neil's garden. Get a free iris rhizome (or two) with wine purchase.

At Regale (24040

Summit Rd.): Enjoy the beautiful gardens, and wine tasting; gifts items in the retail shop.

The Summit Store (24197 Summit Rd) offers picnic fare to enjoy while wine tasting at any of the wineries; and a full service grocery and wine shop.

Enjoy spectacular views across the mountains to Monterey Bay. Only 20 minutes from Los Gatos and only a few minutes apart. Visit all in a single afternoon. Mountain vineyards, forest scenery, excellent mountain wines and beautiful gardens all come together to offer a true 'top of the world' wine tasting experience.

For more information and directions, see the group website at www.thesummitwineries.com.