Weekend At A Winery: Wine & Song At Stunner Venue In Silicon Valley

SARATOGA, CA — A stop at Mountain Winery, tucked away in Silicon Valley's Saratoga with a picturesquese concert venue and intriguing past, is a must-do for lovers of vino, history, fine dining and music.

The one-of-a-kind, mountain-top winery with working vineyard and world-class concert bowl, hosts Friday-to-Sunday wine tastings of its pinot noirs and chardonnays.

Plus, Mountain Winery is renown for its concert series, with big name entertainment that runs summers through fall at the site's exquisite, outdoor amphitheater.

A slew of pre-show dining options also are offered to make it a full-on "dinner and show."

And there is still time to snag tickets for the remaining 2022 concert season.

Among headliners on the upcoming agenda:

• Sept. 27: Sarah McLachlan;
• Oct. 1: Chelsea Handler;
• Oct. 2: Katharine McPhee and David Foster;
• Oct. 6: Dwight Yoakam;
• Oct. 8: Oingo Boingo Former Members;
• Oct. 11: Tom Jones;
• Oct. 15-16: Van Morrison.

Among restaurant selections:

• Chateau La Cresta: A three-course meal at Mountain Winery's eatery. "Arrive early and enjoy this full-service fine dining experience just prior to the show";
• The Winery Deck: Book pre-show, and relax on the winery deck patio with new, cantina menu;
• Adele's Garden: Get entry 30 minutes before doors open to the new Adele’s Garden, $29 per person;
• Ultimate Night Out: A VIP dinner with premium concert seats and more amenities.

Mountain Winery's legacy began when Paul Masson, a young man born to French winemakers arrived in 1878 in San Francisco. "Good fortune, or perhaps destiny," led him to the Santa Clara Valley winery of Charles Lefranc, a French expatriate and respected vintner, according to the winery's historians.

Their collaboration melded local "mission" vines planted by the Franciscan Padres with vine clippings retrieved from Lefranc's vineyard in France. And the partnership evolved through good times, the 1906 earthquake, struggles through "dry" Prohibition years and financial hardships. (Read full Mountain Winery history here.)

For Mountain Winery's fall concert schedule and ticket details, follow this link.

Keep the wine exploration going nearby with stops at:

• Cinnabar Winery: a family-owned boutique operation with wine tasting and light bites;
• Savannah-Chanelle Winery: a casual venue serving currently released wines inside an historic barn and tasting room;
• Cooper Garrod Winery & Stables: serving wine tasting, or by glass and bottle, plus small bites, on a shaded garden patio. Dogs OK;
• Mount Eden Vineyards: personalized wine experiences at a boutique, historic wine estate overlooking Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz mountains;
• Testarossa Winery: popular site on historic property with outdoor tasting patio and indoor wine cave, serving acclaimed Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.

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FOR OTHER WINE ADVENTURES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA:

• Book A Stay At New Paso Robles Vineyard Farmhouse
• Tour Temecula In 'Real Housewives'-Style
• Where Wine Pairs With Classic Cars
• Enjoy 'September Harvest' At An Unexpected Place
• See The Vineyards Sidecar-Style In Napa & Sonoma