On Sunday afternoon October 10th 2021, the traditional "Vines and Wines" event was held once again at Town Hall - the organisers, the vintners, and members of the public came together to enjoy some locally grown gifts of nature....

Twenty-Two Vintners were invited (with one last-minute cancellation due to circumstances) and tasting tables set up in a circle round the Oak Tree at Town Hall as in previous years....

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But preparations had started long before the actual event. All sorts of volunteers had already been busy for weeks making sure the event would take place without a hitch. Tasks ranged from arranging with The Town of Los Altos Hills to use the Town Hall patio and kitchen facilities, working with the Sheriff to get the necessary alcohol permit, arranging for the required insurance coverage, sending invitations to the Vintners, printing up the the Tasting Cards, ordering flowers and hors d'oeuvres for the big day, and on and on. Then when the actual day arrived, an even broader team of helpers swung smoothly into action. Special thanks must go to the photographer Larry William, M.D. who took the pictures you see below, and the two PCC's (Primary Co-Conspirators) Duffy Price and Ann Duwe who made this annual event happen again to continue the tradition in our little town.

On the actual day, some of the volunteer work crew are the earliest arrivals. John Harpootlian borrowed the Town's trolley to help move the heavy stuff, Tom Smith bearing flowers, Megan Wu delivers name tags she had printed, while Diane Claypool starts setting up for food in the kitchen

Ann Duwe, Chair and Chief Organiser of
"Vines & Wines 2021"
is supervising the action while simultaneously performing Quality Control.

Duffy Price, Chair Emeritus, is arranging the hand-outs that she had prepared and had printed in the weeks before the actual event.

9040   Karen Smith, head florist, arranges her supplies. She and Tom are also the winemakers of Toren Vineyards.

9055   Ann Duwe, Tom Smith, Diane Claypool, Karen Smith and her daughter, Jill Melbe all busy in the kitchen which is soon a hive of activity as more flowers and the makings for hors d'oeuvres arrive.

9061   Vintner Tom Smith and Duffy Price set up a map of the Town with pins showing the location of each of the wineries in town that are represented here today

9062   The completed map is on display, with each of the pins casting a shadow down and a bit past the vertical - from this the astute observer will conclude that it is an hour or two after midday as the public begins to arrive

9063   Antje Newhagen is in the kitchen putting on the final touches to some hors d'oeuvres by drizzling balsamic glaze on mozzarella and melon skewers

9064   Shirley Hanttula, Michelle Wu and John Swan finish setting up the entry tables where visitors will sign in and and receive their purple wristbands

9065   Michelle Wu and Ben Bewick making sure the required sign about wearing masks is prominent near the entry table

9068   John Swan and Michele Wu have put the Banner of the sponsoring organization up at the entry desk

9073   The entry desk is fully prepared with trained staff Nancy Traficanti, Michelle Wu, Pat Dowd, Rachel Wu and Jeffrie Price present and ready to go.

It is almost two o'clock and ticket holders will start to arrive any moment

9074   The Tables are set, the bottles are open. Let the tasting begin! Gordon Hunter is at Table 7.

9076   Winemakers Scott Bryan and Paul William compare wines.

9080   Tom Smith of Toren Vineyards chats with Janice Marrello, who helped pour Steinmetz wines

9082  Mary and Norm Moretto, masters of the popcorn machine

9084   Diane Claypool and Mary Moretto

9087   Duffy Price toasts to the enjoyment of the day

9091  Erik and his wife Teresa, family of vintner Scott Bryan

9092   Shiri and Indu Kadambi pour wine donated by Simon Chang, who could not attend this year

9098   Sirpa Hunter and Brian Farley

9100   Paul Newhagen and Jerre Hitz

9102   Diane Ciesinski

9110   Erik and Teresa Bryan

9113   Kathryn Traficanti Holleb and Caroline Henry pouring wine from Traficanti Vineyards

9115   Marc and Yvette Theeuwes of Altamont Vineyard

9118   Mario and Clelia Tarigo

9126   Janice Marrello and Jim Steinmetz brought a Jeroboam of Steinmetz Family wine. (A Jeroboam, a 3 Liter bottle, is equivalent to 4 regular bottles of wine)

9129   Scott Bryan, Tom Smith, Jill Melbe

9134   Charu Rudrakshi, one of the few vintners to make a Rosé

9138   Ann Duwe and Viggy Mokkarala

9139  Viggy Mokkarala answers a question about his wine

9141   Vijay and Pammi Kapoor

9143   Frank Kalcic (in foreground) (Sirpa and Gordon Hunter in background)

9146   Paul Newhagen and Jerre Hitz

9151   Sirpa and Gordon Hunter

9152   Shiri and Indu Kadambi answer questions from a guest

9154   Enthusiastic crowd in attendance

9155   Frank Kalcic caught in a pensive moment

9157   Dennis Duffy examines the map showing the vintners locations within our Town.

9160   Janice Marrello and Jim Steinmetz

9162   Tom Smith, Jill Melbe, Janice Marrello and Jim Steinmetz

9165   Linda Seidel keeps the supply chain of hors d'oeuvres running smoothly

9176   Ben Bewick, George Tyson, and an unindicted co-conspirator toasting former mayor Michelle Wu

9187   Town Council members Lisa Schmidt and George Tyson - the latter also being a vintner

9192   Event assistants Megan and Rachel Wu, who got roped in by their Mom, former Mayor of Los Altos Hills.

Another Successful Production! With thanks to:

Back row: Scott Bryan, Indu Kadambi, John Harpootlian, Diane Claypool, Duffy Price.
Front row: Kathy Woempner, Shirley Hanttula, Ann Duwe, Michelle Wu, Karen Smith
Missing from the photo: Linda Seidel