Business & Tech
Mountain Winery Serves Up A Premier Venue of Arts
The Paul Masson Mountain Winery continues its proud tradition of presenting the best performances for arts enthusiasts of Saratoga and the entire Bay Area.
(Editor's Note: Robert Rodarte is a San Jose State Journalism student who wrote this piece for Patch as part of a class assignment.)
It has been since 1958, according to Mountainwinery.com, that the creation of the now famous amphitheater has hosted some of the most memorable concerts in the city of Saratoga.
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The amphitheater was built around the historical Paul Masson Winery, and sits as a backdrop to the stage of performers.
Marketing and event coordinator Katelyn Studebaker says the Mountain Winery hosts nearly 75 concerts and attracts several thousands of guests every year. Mountain Wineries concerts are run by the event production company AEG.
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The list of headliners, which come to perform, is nothing short of remarkable, ranging from musical performers Lynyard Skynyrd to stand up comedian Lisa Lampanelli.
Some of the more popular artists that have performed at the Mountain Winery in years past are B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, and The Beach Boys.
The particular genre of the musicians tend to be more easy listening, and you will almost never find a heavy metal-based band or rap group featured.
The suitably nicknamed “Vineyard in the Sky” attained success, according to an article by Jessica Fromm on metroactive.com, with the creation of the lavish chateau that sits on the grounds.
Built by Paul Masson in 1906, the chateau attracted dazzling crowds of politicians, movie stars, and stages performers, all coming to enjoy a wonderful time of hospitality and breathless view of the San Francisco Bay.
As day went and the night came, Jessica writes, the guests who came would ordinarily put on a show for their hospitable host.
Years later, the same stage which once used to entertain just a few is now used to enrich multitudes of the arts community.
Randall Thomas was quoted in an article on Kushmagazine.com. “I had never seen Tribe, but the venue and location were absolutely insane, my friends talked me into it. I’ve been listening to them rave about how amazing the shows were, so I had to find out”.
The perfect blend of hilltop scenery and musical concerts makes Mountain Winery one of the premier venues for the arts community of Saratoga.