Ugly Sweater Wine Walk, Nov. 30

A lot of people may not realize the importance of our wine walks to our local businesses. One obvious reason is fundraising for the historic downtown Tehachapi area. Then there is also building community, supporting downtown businesses and providing something fun for the 21+ crowd.

The wine walks, although held downtown, benefit the Greater Tehachapi area. For example, the Ugly Sweater Wine Walk benefits not only the downtown businesses by bringing in visitors and shoppers but the local wine growers of Tehachapi, as well.

This year’s Ugly Sweater Wine Walk, sponsored by Main Street Tehachapi, will have more of Tehachapi’s high quality local wines and brews. There will be two selections from each Tehachapi winery and brewery – one available for tasting at the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum and the other available at a participating business that evening. Gaps will be filled with the well-known and respected Paso Robles wines from Eberle and Justin vineyards. Tehachapi winemakers work very closely with Paso when looking for excellent grape selections to supplement their own crop or to add a distinct flavor. In truth, the early days of the Paso Robles winegrowing region sound very similar to what Tehachapi is experiencing.

In addition to the fun of tasting all the delicious wines, a fundraiser featuring gift baskets and decorated Christmas trees will be available at the Depot, with tickets available for $1 each. The winning tickets will be drawn and the Ugly Sweater Awards presented at the end of the evening at 9 p.m. at the Depot.

The event takes place on Nov. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. rain or shine. However, this year early check-in will be offered starting at 5 p.m. outside the Depot. More than 20 local businesses around town will again be participating as pouring locations. The Wine Walk committee hopes that attendees will take a moment to thank these local businesses, the volunteers and the wineries and breweries for their participation. There will be a small wine store set up benefitting Main Street Tehachapi with the evening’s local wine selections available for purchase to take home.

When doing your holiday shopping, remember to support these locals businesses and vineyards. The wine walk helps a lot of people and is the result of countless volunteer hours. And when you put away your ugly sweater until next year and mark your calendar for the Feb. 8, 2020 Valentine’s Day Wine and Chocolate tasting, remember your contribution helps support our entire community.

View map and event information on page 28, or go online http://www.mainstreettehachapi.org.