SARATOGA—S Mountain Winery hosts its Harvest Wine Festival from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, Oct. 3. The family-friendly event features barefoot grape-stomping, cork-shooting contests, food sampling and, of course, wine tasting—live music, too. Admission is $5. The "cheers package" gets you admission for one person, a Mountain Winery Wine glass and four tasting tickets. Go to www.MountainWinery.com for more information.

The Teachers Aid Coalition is sponsoring Magnificent Merlot, starting at 6pm on Oct. 7 at Clos LaChance Winery. The event is a tasting of merlot produced by San Martin and Morgan Hill wineries, including Guglielmo Winery, Morgan Hill Cellars, Clos LaChance, Sycamore Creek, Castillo Hillside Shire Vineyards, Creekview Vineyards and Monte Verde Vineyards. The former owner of Morgan Hill's Le Bistro Restaurant and Andy's Orchard will provide food. The event will feature a silent auction. Sycamore Creek winemaker Ted Madeirios will speak on making good merlot. Tickets are $25 if purchased prior to the event at the offices of Dr. Jon Hatakeyam (408.779.7391) or at Booksmart (408.778.6467), both in Morgan Hill. Otherwise it's $30 at the door. Proceeds will go toward purchasing school supplies for local public schoolteachers. Contact Teachers Aid Coalition president Roger Beaulie at [email protected] or 408.779.5308.

Saratoga's Plumed Horse restaurant hosts a winemaker dinner at 7pm on Oct. 7 with Napa's Pahlmeyer winery, maker of premium bordeaux-style wines. Executive chef Peter Armellino will be prepare a special five-course meal to match wines from the 1997 and 1999 vintages as well as a barrel sampling of the 2008. The event is $195 per person. Call the restaurant at 408.867.4711 for information.

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