Stretch your wine legs at Passport Weekend

The annual Fall Passport Weekend’s slogan says it all: “Rediscover the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley.”
Scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6, there are nearly two dozen participating wineries in the hallowed biannual event dedicated to enjoying delicious wine, tasty tapas, live entertainment and merry company in the beautiful stretches of South County countryside.
For $30 per person – which includes a souvenir wine glass – wine enthusiasts gain access to a plethora of activities planned exclusively for Passport holders, including barrel tastings, BBQs, winery tours, special discounts, new releases, antipasti, music, and, of course, great wines.
Tickets can be purchased at any participating winery, and:
-The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, 17485 Monterey Road, Suite 105
-The Gilroy Welcome Center, 8155 Arroyo Circle
-Rocca’s Market, 13335 Monterey Highway in San Martin
Each winery has something special to offer during the bi-annual event. More than 1,000 passports were sold for the Sprint 2013 Passport, producing one of the region’s largest wine events.
“Our attendance has been on the rise over the past three years, which we attribute to our expanding customer reach, predominately into the West Valley and Mid-Peninsula,” said Greg Richtarek, marketing director at Guglielmo Winery and Vice President of the Santa Clara Winegrowers Association. “People are discovering more and more that we exist, and that we produce award-winning wines that have ‘Santa Clara Valley’ on the front label, the original growing region of premium wines in California.”
The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley and their beautiful region represent a thriving industry in the blonde hills of grape country just south of San Jose. The area specializes in many Italian varieties, including Charbono, Barbera, Fiano, Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, according to a WSCV press release.
Passport profits are used for future marketing campaigns and the funding of a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating high school senior planning to major in agriculture – preferably with an emphasis on viticulture or enology.
For more information, call the Gilroy Welcome Center at (408) 842-6436, or visit www.SantaClaraWines.com.
-Aver Family Vineyards
-Casa de Fruta Winery
-Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards
-Creekview Vineyards
-Fortino Winery
-Guglielmo Winery
-Hecker Pass Winery
-J. Lohr Vineyards
-Kirigin Cellars
-Lightheart Cellars
-Mann Cellars
-Martin Ranch Winery
-Morgan Hill Cellars
-Rapazzini Winery
-Ross Vineyards & Winery
-Satori Cellars
-Solis Winery
-Sunlit Oaks Winery