Wine enthusiasts, this one is for you! On November 18th, 2017,  pack a picnic and plan an adventure throughout the coastlines, hills, forests, valleys, and vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

In 1993, the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association (SCMWA) introduced Passport Celebration Days. Since then, the annual events continue to be a popular tradition for wine lovers, who can look forward to sipping at Celebration Days four times a year.

Article sponsored by Castagnola Deli and Cafe

On the third Saturday of January, April, July, and November, the Santa Cruz wine growing community comes together to raise glasses and say “cheers” to the families, farmers, and vintners of this legendary wine region. With the purchase of a “Wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains Passport”, visitors can join in by journeying around to participating wineries and enjoying special Celebration Day offers, treats, and tastes of delicious local wine in idyllic settings.

For more than 100 years, the exceptional winegrowing conditions of the Santa Cruz Mountains have put this stunning environment on the vino map for its distinguished winemakers, world-class wineries, innovative techniques and high quality flavors. With ideal and diverse natural influences from marine climates and elevated mountain terrains, winemakers have crafted wines that are renowned throughout California and the world. Now’s your chance to drink the fruits of their labor.

The November 18th Passport Celebration Day event invites the public to over 50 tasting rooms throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is a great opportunity to visit some of the wineries generally closed that only open their doors to the public on Passport Days. The adventure welcomes visitors to discover unique tasting rooms, meet artisan winemakers, explore the colorful mountain region, enjoy vineyard picnics, experience live music, and – to top it off – record it all with a commemorative stamp in their passport from each winery. Salut!

The SCMWA passports are valid for two years and are not limited to Celebration Days. Wine enthusiasts can visit participating wineries any day throughout the year, and open wineries will accept passports on non-passport days during their regular business hours. Passports are $65 and can be purchased at any Participating Winery.

Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Passport Days
November 18th, 2017, 12pm-5pm

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Pull out your costumes and put on your masks – it’s time for small spooky creatures to haunt the streets of Capitola!

On October 29th, the village by the sea will be taken over by ghosts, goblins, boys and ghouls during the annual Children’s Halloween Parade. This will be the 27th consecutive year locals and visitors have donned costumes and headed to Capitola Village for kiddie-themed thrills. The family-oriented affair offers free admission to a fun and safe event for the young and young-at-heart.

Article sponsored by Castagnola Deli and Cafe

The entertainment begins with the Halloween Parade. Participants can join the colorful line up beginning at 1:30pm in the Beach and Village Parking Lot above Capitola City Hall. The short but candy sweet Parade takes off at 2pm, when the imaginatively costumed crowd will head down Capitola Avenue, wind through Capitola Village and trail along the Esplanade.

The Parade ends at Esplanade Park, where participants are treated to goodie bags, balloons, and refreshments, not to mention the bewitching beachfront views of Capitola and the Monterey Bay. During and following the Parade, the local shops and cafes will be handing out candy to all the costumed youngsters, so guests can plan to keep the celebration going by trick-or-treating at the many charming Capitola Village businesses.

Join the community for the mini monster march, get sugared up on candy, and experience the magic and mystery of Halloween in the heart of Capitola Village.

Capitola Village Halloween Parade
October 29, 2017
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

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2017 Festival Glass

Get ready to sip and stroll by the ocean this weekend – the popular Capitola Art & Wine Festival returns to the Monterey Bay for its 35th year.

2017 poster art by Evelyn Jenkins Drew

Distinguished by its charming beachside setting and non-stop activities, the annual Art & Wine Festival offers free admission and a fun, family-friendly event of creativity, culinary arts and community. The Festival spreads throughout Capitola Village and combines high quality artwork, award-winning local and regional wines and microbrews, gourmet cuisine, and Bay Area music and entertainment.

The Festival exhibits a juried show of high quality original work from 160 talented artists representing diverse mediums. Nothing pairs as well with perusing works of fine art as sipping exceptional wine. Guests can admire the artwork while tasting from the 22 participating Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, providing a selection of wines to sample,  including Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah.

Artist Maia Negre’s booth, 2015

The iconic mermaid logo used on wine glasses back in 1989 has resurfaced this year through the artistry of local painter, Maia Negre – Maia’s classic aquatic image was chosen as the 2017 Festival glass design. Wine tasting requires a purchase of 2017 Festival Glass and Tasting Tokens. Glasses are $12 each, and will be available to purchase from any of the six Glass & Token Booths conveniently located throughout the Festival. Tasting tokens are $1 each, with wine tastings varying between 2 – 4 tokens per tasting depending on your wine choice.

Article sponsored by Castagnola Deli and Cafe

When hunger strikes, the Festival Food Court, located on Monterey Avenue, will be serving up tasty ethnic and traditional cuisine from around the county, including local food trucks Holopono and Saucey’z, as well as vendors Bill the Oysterman, Falafel of Santa Cruz, Happy Dog Hot Dogs, and India Gourmet. Capitola Village also offers a wide range of restaurants to satisfy every palate.

Hand woven baskets

Visit the Local Artisans Marketplace, held in the Capitola Mercantile Parking Lot with entrances on Esplanade and San Jose Avenue. The Marketplace is filled with handmade crafts and artisanal treats, locally created and ranging from hand woven baskets and repurposed scrap wood to body products and pastries.

Te Hau Nui Hula Tahitian dance performance.

The two-day Festival will also be flavored with local favorites providing ongoing entertainment for all ages. The line up includes dance and performing arts groups, street performances from The Great Morgani and The Surfing Magician, and live music from Extra Large, The Lost Boys featuring James Durbin, and The Fundamentals. To inspire the younger crowd, the Festival is hosting a Kids Art & Music Area located in the center of the Festival on Lawn Way, with ongoing craft projects as well as musical play featuring MusicalMe.

35th Capitola Art & Wine Festival
September 9-10, 2017

Visit capitolaartandwine.com for more information.

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