2005-06-30
Garre Winery Continues Italian Tradition with Bocce Ball
People have been playing bocce ball, or Italian Lawn Bowling, almost as long as they’ve been drinking wine. For many wine drinkers, especially ones with Italian roots, the two go hand in hand – a glass of wine in one hand, a bocce ball in the other. Several big name wineries in the Napa/Sonoma region such as Dry Creek Valley Winery and Stags Leap Winery have taken to the sport, hosting tournaments complete with leagues and even championship games. Locally, Garré Winery celebrates its Italian Heritage and continues the wine country tradition by hosting “Bocce Ball & Italian Feast Night,” where players enjoy a 5-course traditional Italian meal, three glasses of wine, and enjoy group play on a tournament bocce court.
Bocce ball began in the Italian Alps during the early Christian era when players tossed stones at a target, with the rock intended to land as close as possible to the target. Roman soldiers further developed the game by using balls instead of stones and the game spread throughout the Roman Empire, leading to lawn bowling in England and bocce ball (from the vulgar Latin for the word ball) in Italy. Eventually Giussepi Garibalsi popularized the game while unifying and nationalizing Italy, and forever united the game with Italian nationalism and pride.
Garré draws on its Italian roots in celebrating this traditional Italian game as well as participating in the resurrection of this long-beloved sport. Rosa “Nonna” Garré, winery namesake and grandmother of the winery’s founders and owners, hails from the mountains of Old Italy, where Bocce Ball gained its modern popularity and is still played today in some town squares.
The beauty of bocce ball lies in its simplicity; its easy and fun for everyone because it doesn’t require any particular athletic ability. “I didn’t know anything really about the game specifically when I first got involved,” says Tom Shirmang, president of the Yountville Bocce Club. “First of all we’re a social club,” he says. “We deliberately don’t call it a league – which implies highly competitive levels of play. Above all, it’s a way to enjoy yourself on a nice summer day, have a little competition, and just have fun.” The fun family atmosphere at Garré Winery is emphasized, as food is served family style. All skill levels are welcome and pre-designed teams or partners are not required. Wednesdays September 7 & 21
Join in the deboccery! $26.95 all-inclusive price includes dinner, three glasses of wine, tax, gratuity, and group play. Two seatings: bocce at 5:30 p.m. dinner at 7:30 p.m. or dinner at 6 p.m. and bocce at 7:30. Reservations are required. Garré Winery is located at 7986 Tesla Road in Livermore. For more information, call (925) 371-8200 or visit the website at www.garrewinery.com. The tradition lives on at Garré Winery, where the family’s traditional Italian heritage is incorporated into the winery’s food, wine and essential character. All-inclusive price is $26.95 per person and includes three glasses of wine, 5-course Italian meal, tax, tip, and group play. Reservations are required. For more information, call Garré Winery at (925) 371-8200 or check their website at www.garrewinery.com. All skill levels welcome and instruction is provided.
Every Friday Night in July – Friday Wine Dinners & Live Music
Every Friday night enjoy gourmet wine paired cuisine from a seasonal menu that emphasizes garden to plate freshness, crafted with elegant simplicity. During Farmers Market season, their chefs scour the local market in search of the perfect “themed ingredient” to be incorporated into several dishes of the weekly changing menu. Outdoor seating is opened up in nice weather, with Cabernet vines lacing one side of the courtyard.
• Friday, July 1 features the blues band T Lane & The Nitehawks
• Friday, July 8 features the jazz duo Twos Guys
• Friday, July 15 features the blues band The Hurricane
• Friday, July 22 features the unplugged Blue Truth
• Friday, July 29 features the jazz duo Twos Guys
Reservations recommended though not required – walk ins are welcome. Plates $10-$25. Garré Winery is located at 7986 Tesla Road in Livermore. For more information, visit the website at www.garrewinery.com or call (925) 371-8200.
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