SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9:
A DAY AT PICCHETTI WINERY

Lift a glass with fellow NCSWA members and guests during a memorable day at the historic Picchetti Winery in the Cupertino foothills. This picturesque winery was built in the 1890s, and in 1976 the Mid-Peninsula Open Space District purchased the winery, homestead, and surrounding property. Today, the winery sits on the edge of a 308-acre preserve with nearly four miles of trails – leading to sweeping views of the South Bay and Stevens Creek Reservoir.

Special guest Dr. Arthur Klatsky will join us. Dr. Klatsky, a Kaiser Permanente cardiologist, is one of the world's authorities on the health benefits of wine. He's studied the issue since the 1970s, and published dozens of articles on the cardiovascular benefits of enjoying moderate amounts of wine, beer and spirits.

The day will start with a docent-led hike that will last an hour or so, taking hikers past a natural freshwater pond, and through a bay and oak woodland to beautiful views. Two to three groups will be taken out, to keep group sizes small. The hikes are easy/moderate, with a combination of level walking and some moderate climbing to reach the vista points, and will cover two to three miles.

We'll return to the winery, where peacocks descended from a 19th-century flock patrol the grounds, and a lunch under partially-shaded picnic tables. You bring your own picnic, and you can buy a bottle of wine, priced $19 and up, from the winery. Wine tasting, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the winery, costs $5. The winery will provide glasses for those who buy wine there for a picnic. The winery also sells a few food items, including cheese, salami and crackers.

After lunch, at about 2 p.m., Dr. Klatsky will talk with the group about his findings on the health effects of wine and alcohol. He'll discuss the distinctions between alcohol's effects, whether from wine, spirits or beer, and the specific effects of the phytochemicals found in wine. You'll also learn the differences between the health effects of white and red wine. Ample time for Q&A in this relaxed setting will follow. The day will wrap up around 3 p.m., and people can linger for an additional stroll or for wine tasting, or to just relax at the scenic winery. The renowned Ridge Winery in Cupertino is also about three miles away, and is open until 5 p.m.

WHERE: Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve
DATE: Sunday, Sept. 9
TIME: 11 a.m. to mid-afternoon (or noon if you want to skip the hike)
COST: Free!

DETAILS: Bring your own picnic lunch. You can buy wine at the beautiful Picchetti Winery on site. Please do not bring your own wine. In exchange for providing the picnic grounds, winery management kindly requests that you only drink wine purchased at the winery.

For online directions, and more information about Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve, including a map of the preserve, visit Picchetti - Directions and Information or click on the following link to learn about Picchetti Winery

PLEASE RSVP by Sept. 5 to NCSWA board member Donna Alvarado. You can bring one guest, and we're keeping the group size to 30, so RSVP early.

We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 9 for this special NCSWA event!