“Don’t go – stay and merlot!” invites the MSPA when it hosts the holiday wine walk on Saturday.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Go to Montrose on any night and people can be found walking and enjoying the lovely little town. But add a variety of wines, food and shops full of one-of-a-kind items and you will have the Montrose Wine Walk.

It has been quite busy in Montrose and it does not look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. On Tuesday, the town was full of trick or treating ghosts and goblins with the annual Spooktacular. Then there are all the holiday events, including the lighting of the Christmas tree that kicks off the holiday season in Montrose, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music and Santa walking along Honolulu Avenue.

But this weekend it’s all about wine with the First Annual Holiday Wine Walk, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A wine walk was held in the spring, according to Dale Dawson, business administrator and event coordinator for Montrose Shopping Park Association. That event was very popular and he expects this holiday event will be even more positive.

The idea for the event came from Dawson after he took a trip to Claremont.

“The city of Glendale took a number of our [MSPA] board members and staff on a tour of several cities [near us],” Dawson said. “Claremont was the first part of the tour.”

The Claremont city manager spoke to the group and told them what they did to bring people to their town. One of the events was a wine walk, something that had been done for almost two decades in Claremont, Dawson said.

When he got back from the tour, he thought about the wine walk and how it seemed like a perfect fit for Montrose. He called the Claremont city manager’s office and got more information.

“I put it out to the MSPA board and got an overwhelming [positive] response,” he said.

They held the first wine walk in March and it was successful, even though there were a few issues behind the scenes. This time, Dawson said they are ready for anything.

“We are ready, rain or shine,” he said.

Dawson said the event seemed perfectly fit for Montrose because of the small town feel and the merchants seem to agree. The majority of the merchants are participating with each serving their own selection of wine as well as some type of hors d’ouvres. Many merchants go above and beyond, like Quilt ’n’ Things which will be holding a demonstration on Japanese Furoshiki, an ancient Japanese tradition of wrapping small objects, including wine bottles, for gifts. They will also be serving Shochu cocktails with sushi as appetizers.

Andre Ordubegian, president of the MSPA, said this event is a great way for people to get to know the merchants in Montrose.

“[The MSPA board] is working really hard to put Montrose on the map,” Ordubegian said. He added the City of Glendale seems to be happy with how the board supports Montrose and its merchants with all the events it sponsors throughout the year.

The wine walk is unlike some of other events when Honolulu Avenue is shut down and booths are set up. This event invites people into the local shops, he added.

Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door, and organizers have limited the sales to 550 tickets, so it is advised to get the tickets in advance.

Each ticket includes 15 pink tickets good for 15 pours, $10 in scrip that can be used at local shops, a tote and a wine glass, Ordubegian added.

Many merchants are sweetening that with deals and discounts of their own, including Ordubegian’s business Copy Network.

“We will also be giving out $20 coupons for Copy Network,” he said.

The event will also benefit the La Crescenta Woman’s Club, which has been helpful with the event and will supply volunteers. LCWC will receive 15% of the ticket sales.

To buy tickets online, go to shopmontrose.com and click on the Wine Walk or tickets can be purchased from several stores including: Casa Cordoba, 2331 Honolulu Ave., Copy Network, 3600 Ocean View Blvd., Grayson’s Tune Town, 2415 Honolulu Ave., It Takes A Village, 2317 Honolulu Ave., Mountain Rose Gifts, 3808½ Ocean View Blvd., and Rest Farmhouse Inspired, 2420 Honolulu Ave. Tickets may also be purchased at the event. All participants must be 21 years and older and are required to bring a government issued identification, like a driver’s license.

  Mary Okeefe