Music in the Air … with Mark ‘Fenny’ Fenichel – Fall Passport is a month-long ‘party’ to enjoy local wine and great music

Published in the September 19 – October 2, 2018 issue of Gilroy Life

This month as you may already know the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley are celebrating their Fall Passport event which is an entire month-long party going through the end of the month at 32 wineries in Gilroy and Morgan Hill.

Many of the venues including Clos La Chance, Seeker, Satori, Lion Ranch, Martin Ranch, Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, Sarah’s Vineyard, Dorcich Family Vineyard, Miramar Vineyards, Stomping Ground  and Morgan Hill Cellars will be offering live music along with tastes of their fine wines. You can purchase a ticket that is good throughout the remainder of the month for tastings and special deals on select wines and other benefits at all participating wineries.

Passports are available on line or at five locations (Guglielmo Winery, Fortino Winery, The GrapeVine, Bubbles and the Gilroy Welcome Center). Passports can be purchased at participating wineries, as long as supplies last for $45. Your passport allows you to wine taste through the rest of the passport month of September and when you visit the many participating local restaurants, wine bars, hotels and transportation company partners during the entire month, you will receive exclusive discounts such as free corkage, half price appetizers, overnight stay discounts and discounts on transportation. For all the information visit santaclarawines.com

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Take a drive up to Morgan Hill on the last weekend of September for The Taste of Morgan Hill Festival which will be taking place on Monterey Road in downtown Morgan Hill Sept. 29 and 30.  Lots of music on two stages with amazing food, local wines and beer and an expanded Kid Zone making it fun for the entire family.

The Third Street Stage is the main stage with a total of 11 acts during the two days including Moondance, Undercover, Mike Osborn, The Usual Suspects, Rock The Heat, Michelle Lambert, Fastlane, The Cocktail Monkeys, and Bent with a very special Street Dance Saturday night featuring James Wesley from Nashville opening for headliners The Hitmen.

The GVA Café Acoustic Stage will take place on Second Street and have 11 acts during the two days as well featuring many of the most talented acoustic musicians in the area. Saturday brings in Steve Siacotos, Aprylle Gilbert, Steve Barbour, Tom Drake, Steven Gary, and Free Spirit.  Sunday includes Lost Coast Duo, Rick & Rae, Cookin’ Fenny Duo, Lambert Malloy & Company, and closing the festival Austin Freeman.  On both days the music starts at 10 a.m.

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Friday Sept. 21 from 7 to 10 p.m., the popular Gardens@Night Halloween event at Gilroy Gardens is back — now with even more Boo! This year you can sing and dance along to The Great Big Boo! live musical show, then meet and greet some of the zany characters as you trick-or-treat along the Boo Trail that winds through the park. Hop aboard the Boo Train and other “spookified” rides, and visit the Marketplace to enjoy local wines, craft beers, Halloween treats and more. Remember the park rides close at 7 p.m. and tickets to the Ghost Train are sold separately.

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The Garlic City Concert series wraps up its run with the band Superbad Sept. 29. This free event at Christmas Hill Park presented by The District Theater features live bands and different DJ’s every week. No outside alcohol is allowed, craft beers will be on tap as well as premium wine. Bring your appetite for all the different food trucks! Come on down and bring your chairs and blankets for this final show of the season.

Got a music tip? Email [email protected].