Vine-to-Wine event set for Nov. 4 at Mountain Winery
The Wineries of Santa Clara Valley will be hosting its third annual event on Nov. 4 from 1-7pm at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga.
Vine-to-Wine celebrates the end of harvest and highlights Santa Clara Valley wineries and wine makers. Guests can choose a VIP or general Grand Tasting experience.
The VIP experience begins two hours earlier than the general experience. VIPs will be tasting six reserve wines the first hour which will be led by Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein. Goldstein is one of 269 Master Sommeliers worldwide and has been named Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry by IntoWine.com.
The Grand Tasting begins at 3pm with guests tasting award-winning wines from more than 20 wineries—including sparkling and dessert wines at a Bubbly Bar. Gourmet bites will be prepared by Cochi’s Catering, chosen as Morgan Hill’s “Best Catering” businesses for multiple years.
A marketplace will showcase local crafters with home décor, jewelry and clothing. The Alex Lucero band will also perform.
“Vine-to-Wine, which describes the life cycle of the grape, is an annual event for us to celebrate the end of harvest and our award-winning wineries, while raising more awareness of our region,” said Stacy Giannini, director of marketing for Wineries of Santa Clara Valley. “We chose to celebrate this year’s event with wine lovers at the Mountain Winery, a venue with stunning views overlooking the Bay Area and that sets the stage for delighting the senses.”
“We are delighted to invite everyone in the Bay Area and beyond to Vine-to-Wine,” said Kim Engelhardt, president of the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, and co-owner of Lion Ranch Vineyards & Winery in San Martin. “This event celebrates of years of hard work and dedication from our winemakers. Whether you’re passionate about local wine or simply seeking a memorable experience, Vine-to-Wine has something special for everyone.”
To purchase tickets, visit santaclarawines.com or VinetoWine_2023.eventbrite.com.
Sales support the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley, a non-profit organization. Its mission is to raise funds to provide scholarships and grants to graduating high school seniors planning to major in viticultural or enology.
College of Adaptive Arts co-founder recognized
Pamela Lindsay, co-founder of the College of Adaptive Arts in Saratoga, was recognized as one of 15 nonprofit founders chosen throughout the country who are giving back to their communities.
The AARP recently announced its 2024 AARP Purpose Prize Award recipients. The national award honors people age 50-plus who have proven that they are using their knowledge and life experience to make a difference.
Lindsay is one of 10 AARP Purpose Prize Fellows and their organizations who will be recognized with an award of $10,000. All award recipients will also receive a year of technical support to help broaden the scope of their organization’s work.
College of Adaptive Arts (CAA) is an organization providing collegiate education to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It centers on the concept of lifelong learning and serves more than 224 adult students across nine states.
CAA was co-founded by Lindsay and DeAnna Pursai in 2009 after both witnessed loved ones with special needs become sidelined once they exited the public school system.
“I am so honored to be recognized as an AARP Purpose Prize Award Fellow,” Lindsay said. “I know firsthand that the pursuit of our dreams and passions are not limited by the number of birthdays we celebrate. CAA is rooted in the knowledge that continued learning and related community contribution at any age increases personal purpose, life satisfaction and success.”
Sanborn Park cleanup to begin soon
Sanborn County Park site restoration is moving forward with the remediation and clean-up of the former Christensen Nursery, enabling next steps for the Sanborn County Master Plan implementation, which will facilitate the creation of new campgrounds, trail connections and other recreational activities for the community.
“Sanborn County Park is an important public space that serves thousands of residents annually,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian said. “I am pleased to see we’re making progress. Efforts to improve the park and build out the amenities most sought after by the public should be a high priority.”
Sanborn County Park is located on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains approximately two miles southwest of downtown Saratoga in the unincorporated county. The nearly 3,500-acre park provides a variety of recreational opportunities for the public, with hiking, biking, camping and picnicking among the most popular activities. Outdoor school and summer programs are also held at the Walden West Environmental Education Center located within the park’s boundaries. The park also provides protected habitat for migratory birds, mountain lions, coyotes, reptiles and amphibians.
A significant amount of work needs to be accomplished at the former nursery site. Waste material and debris from the former nursery operation needs to be cleared, and existing utilities in and around the 17 structures located within the area will need to be capped. Contaminated soil will be removed and backfilled with native soil; fallen and diseased trees will be cut, chipped or removed. The County will be developing a tree protection plan to minimize the removal of vulnerable trees in contaminated soil areas.
The approved contractor, Brannon Corporation, will have 180 days to complete their work.
“Clean-up is not as simple as it sounds,” Simitian said. “Soils need to be treated to make sure they’re safe for the public. Trees need to be preserved and protected where possible. Once all this work is done, the foundation for a new public space will be in place, and that’s exciting.”
“Sanborn Park is a wonderful public resource, and Saratoga is fortunate to have such immediate access to it,” Saratoga Mayor Kookie Fitzsimmons said. “The park is already one of many great attractions that bring county residents and visitors to Saratoga, and knowing Sanborn will be expanded and improved upon is something to look forward to.”
The Christensen Nursery was purchased by the County in 1993. Located close to the park’s entrance, the approximately 57 acres was at one time a holiday estate, vineyard and nursery. Currently, the land contains the Christensen home, a caretaker’s house, barn and several other structures associated with nursery operations.
Local student honored at Des Moines University
Haley Cornelison of Los Gatos, a student in Des Moines University’s Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program, was a participant in the university’s 2023 White Coat Ceremony on Sept. 15.
Among the members of the program’s Class of 2027, Cornelison received the white coat as a symbol of the training aspiring health professionals receive.
Across the country, the White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for students as they begin their medical education and prepare to become health care providers. Participating in DMU’s ceremony were 149 students.
Located in West Des Moines, Iowa, Des Moines University offers 10 graduate-level professional degree programs.
