Have you seen the Progress at Vino Piazza?

For those of you interested in the continued progress of the Vino Piazza, this update should be quite exciting!

We continue to chip away at the enormous but shrinking list of tasks required to declare this project officially open to the public.

We have developed a small garden area with a trellis system, landscaping and picnic tables for our guests. We have installed two fountains, complete with fish, and are working on a third as you read!

The Courtyard continues to shape up, as we prepare the deck for ease of access to the three stunningly decorated tasting rooms on its perimeter. Also off the Courtyard is the future deli that is scheduled for operation in the late Fall months. Outdoor dining and picnic areas will also be available in the Courtyard.

Work also continues on our Visitor's Center, where guests will be able obtain information about the facility, and particularly about the ViP Wine Group members. Additionally, this is where you'll be able to view our full-sized cast replicas of the heads of Stan, the Tyrannasaurus Rex, and Niel, the Triceratops, in addition to other world-class specimens of natural history. It is also the location you will be able to obtain your complimentary ViP Wine List, a comprehensive wine list and price guide of the ViP Wine Group members! These lists are scheduled to release by July 27, so be sure to stop by and ask for yours!

And the wines are developing right along with everything else. Many wines have found their way into the bottle and are settling in for their debut releases!

Once again, we are preparing frantically for a couple of upcoming events that are sure to please. The first, coming up on July 27, is a Car Show and Free Wine Tasting from Noon to 5 pm. This is a perfect opportunity to "try on" the Plaza and take advantage of multiple tasting rooms without the normal expense of a big event. That's right, it's FREE! AND, there will be rows of fine classical and specialty cars to enjoy as well. Later the same evening, the Clements-Lockeford Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Community Support BBQ & Live Auction. Tickets for the steak BBQ are $20 per person and areÝ available at Olde Lockeford Winery.

The next event, on August 3 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm, is named "A Summer Evening in Tuscany", and is a fundraiser hosted by Lodi Rotary Club. Tickets for this evening are a reasonable $35 and for that you'll enjoy gourmet hors d'oeuvres, live music by three different bands, local artists, silent auctions, and of course, all the fine wine you care to sample! This show is a must see, but get your tickets early as sales are limited and likely to sell out! Stay tuned for more upcoming events . . .