By Khalida Sarwari
No summer should be without a combination of warm and breezy evenings, cool drinks that hit the spot, good company and upbeat music. Fortunately for South Bay residents, those things can be found at the Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards in the Saratoga hills all summer long.
Starting May 1, the winery–which specializes in red wines–will kick off its annual summer music series with ISIS and the Cold Truth, followed by George Heagerty on May 2.
Every Friday and Saturday there will be a concert on the grounds from 6 to 8:15 p.m. The genres represented in the concert schedule run from classic and alternative rock to five- and eight-piece bands and R&B, duos, blues, swing and jazz. The series comes to an end on Sept. 26.
Highlights throughout the season include performances by the South City Blues Band on May 23 and the Bedrockers, a rock ‘n’ roll band from San Francisco, performing at the venue for the first time on June 27.
The concerts are complimentary for members of Savannah-Chanelle and $10 for non-members.
Luke Piro, a spokesman for the winery, said the music series is in its fifth year. Each concert draws anywhere from 50 to a little more than 200 people. Guests will usually pack a picnic and take advantage of the tables and umbrellas right outside the villa where the concerts take place.
“We encourage people to bring a picnic because we have a limited amount of food in the tasting room,” Piro said. Some of those foods include cheese, crackers, salami and other light finger foods.
To burn off the calories, there’s room to dance the night away. And of course, the wine will be flowing throughout the evening, which usually doesn’t end until around 9 p.m., said Piro.
Savannah-Chanelle is located at 23600 Congress Springs Road in Saratoga. For more information about the winery, call 408.741.2934 or visitsavannahchanelle.com.
