I’ve been writing about the “connection” between wine and music for… well, let’s just say many years.
I could go (and have gone) on and on about how music and wine complement each other — the music making the wine “better,” and the wine making the music “better.” When I want to relax… to really wind down after a hectic day… I love nothing more than sipping a glass of wine while listening to music.
The variety of wine or the genre of music makes little difference. I get just as much enjoyment from red wine and Peter White as I do from white wine and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
And when I need or want a total escape, I make plans to attend a concert at a winery. Numerous wine estates host annual concert series, and two of my favorites — The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, Calif., and Thornton Winery in Temecula, Calif. — have just announced their 2014 schedules.
More on the Thornton series tomorrow. Today, let’s take a look at some of the musical highlights coming soon to The Mountain Winery…
The 2014 season kicks off on May 28 with Gary Allan. On June 1, the legendary Merle Haggard headlines, although I’d be more inclined to attend in order to see the opening act: Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones.
In July, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Chris Isaak and Foreigner are among the acts providing musical blasts from the past.
August kicks off with the legendary Beach Boys and concludes with the Retro Futura Tour 2014, featuring Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins and Katrina of Katrina and the Waves. In between, groups as disparate as ZZ Top, Deep Purple and the Blind Boys of Alabama will perform.
September is book-ended by Elvis Costello and the Imposters, and Boney James and a trio dubbed “Jazz Attack,” featuring the aforementioned Peter White. Other highlights promise to be performances by Chicago, Martina McBride and Heart.
And the series will conclude on Oct. 3 with the extremely non-musical Larry The Cable Guy.
To view the full schedule and learn about dining options at The Mountain Winery, click here.
This summer, make plans to attend a winery concert. Your taste buds… and your ears… will thank me.
