Graze the Bench?

[pinstripeprincess]

http://www.grazethebench.com/page/event

did anyone go last year? i can't seem to find anything that isn't a promo piece on it.

[cheesegal]

I did go to this event last year, and enjoyed it. Part of the reason may have been that the weather was glorious, and a few of us rode our bicycles between the wineries. Food was 'hit and miss' (I'm not a meat-eater), but the live music (mostly) was a real treat and the chance to sit outside and 'graze' and sip wine at wineries that mostly operate on a small-scale was fun.

Seems things may be a bit more constrained this year - I see something about having to buy a "pass" and the music only being available to passholders. That would be a shame, and unfair to those of us who are not carnivores, as almost all of featured dishes have meat.

[pinstripeprincess]

one of the things i was wondering about the event was the economics of it.

it currently says there's a $25 pass that includes your first wine and food pairing. after that it's $7 for either wine (5oz) or food. but if we're doing wine tastings, are these included or separate? is there additional food or is the only restaurant catered food for $7? i'm looking more for tastings vs whole glasses to have (i mean we do have to be able to get between each locale!) and so perhaps another day for a visit to the bench would be better.

[Suresh]

Yes, the $25 pass gets you your first full glass of wine and food pairing. Subsequent glasses of wine are $7, and food etc.
But if you want to taste new releases, they're subject to the normal rules of the winery.
Which means that some will charge $1-3, and waive the fee if you buy something, or some may not charge at all.

[pinstripeprincess]

thanks! that's what i figured.