February 10, 2003

THREE SWEET BITS OF NEWS for your hearts reside herein, to serve as Sunol's Valentine greeting to my fair readers. If that sounds a little old-fashioned, and indeed, a touch melodramatic, 'tis only fitting. My first heartfelt piece of news is that tickets for Sunol Repertory Theatre's 22nd annual melodrama went on sale Saturday at the Little Valley Vineyard Bistro, 11986 Main Street, Sunol.

Tickets to "The Vile Veterinarian, or…How Much Is That Doggie with the Widow?" are flying into the hands of excited SRT patrons and fans at a pace almost as quick as the puns in the play. Opening night is Sat., March 8, with shows at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. nights through March 29 in the Sunol Glen School auditorium. Get your tickets soon at Little Valley (925-862-9006), where you can also enjoy great wine, coffee, pastries and bistro fare, as well as wonderful music events.

RED WINE AND RED WHITE & BLUE: Wine and patriotism can both be good for the heart, and both are featured in this second item. Sunolians Fran and Lanny Replogle of Fenestra Winery in Livermore offer the public a fascinating inside look at winemaking at their 20th Annual Barrel Tasting. The event takes place on Presidents' Day Weekend, Saturday, Feb. 15, through Monday, Feb. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. Barrel tastings will be held at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Fenestra Winery is located at 83 Vallecitos Road, (Highway 84) Livermore.

Winemaker Dr. Lanny Replogle (former Professor of Chemistry at San Jose State University) will pour barrel samples of four Portuguese varieties and three from the west end of the Livermore Valley and share his knowledge on the making of each wine. "I am very interested in making Portuguese varietal
wines," Lanny says, "and have chosen Tempranillo, Alvarelhao, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cao. The wines from the western edge of the Livermore Valley are Fenestra's Estate 2001 Syrah, Estate 2001
Mourvedre and 2001 Pinot Noir."

There will also be a video on the fascinating process of French barrel making, from selection of the tree in the forest to completion of the barrel. Fenestra will release its 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon and all Fenestra wines currently released will be available for tasting. There is no charge for this event. For information, phone 925-862-2292 or e-mail fenwine@aol.com.

SOMETHING FOR OUR SWEETEST SWEETIES: There are no sweeties sweeter than our littlest ones, and here's something for them in item number three. Sunol Glen Pre-School, which began last fall, is open for new enrollment. I know I mentioned this not too long ago, but it's such a great deal for all concerned I just have to tell you about it again.

The half-day programs for three- and four-year-olds are from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday. Terrific teachers provide a safe and stimulating environment for social interaction with other children, introductory academics and recreational activities, all of which helps the wee ones get ready for kindergarten. The pre-school is located on the Sunol Glen School campus, which has students from kindergarten to 8th grade. For more information please call the school at 925-862-0525.