By Khalida Sarwari
An afternoon of sun, wine tasting, music and tasty food is part of the package at this year’s Wine Stroll in the Village.
The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event takes place May 10 from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Local wineries will set up tasting sites at 24 businesses along Big Basin Way and at the Saratoga History Museum. According to the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce President Pat Martell, participants will have an opportunity to sample wines from local wineries all within walking distance.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the event and come with a 19.5-ounce crystal wine glass engraved with the event logo that participants can take home, a wristband and a map listing the pouring station for each winery. For an additional $5, attendees can taste special wines aside from the selections offered by wineries. Those tickets must be purchased at the event.
The participating wineries include Travesio Winery, Left Bend, Loma Prieta Winery, Perrucci Family Vineyards, Three Arches Winery, Tucker Wines, Guglielmo Winery, MJA Vineyards, Fortino Winery, Savannah Chanelle, Baccarossa, Baiocchi Wines & Vineyards, Burrell School, Enoteca Five, Pelican Ranch, Cooper-Garrod, Charles Usher, Martella, House Family Winery, Roudon Smith, Lightheart Cellars, Cinnabar Winery and Sunlit Oaks Winery.
The wine will be the main event, but attendees will also be treated to food and music. Some restaurants and tasting rooms will hand out small bites. Live bands and musicians will play at the Saratoga History Museum, Ruthe Roberts Wine Collective, Deja & Co Exquisite Jewels and Stilettos Wine Bar.
The lineup includes the bands Nigel and Clive, I-O and guitarist Matthew Masih.
The fourth annual “Spring Wine Stroll” will also feature Saratoga artists, one of whom will be doing quick sketches.
The event was attended by more than 500 people last year. “We’re ramping up for more like 600 people” this year, Martell said.
The Chamber first held the event in 2011 to promote the merchants and wineries in Saratoga.
Participants must 21 or older; IDs will be checked, Martell said, adding, “We’re very strict on that.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit saratogachamber.org or call 408.867.0753.