Peeping-a-Plenty

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It’s the dirty little secret of my professional life. Sometimes, there are so many affairs to choose from that my What to Peep This Week? debate amounts to a panicky game-time decision, based on factors of debatable import, like: Will I have to get dressed up? Will there be quality refreshments/good music/valet parking (that one’s generally a deal breaker; my car remains a point of embarrassment)? Sounds shallow, I’m sure, but decision-making is simply not my forte. Facing choices — no matter how small — turns me into a ball of angsty stress. I’m a Gemini, after all; my commitment-phobism is written in the stars. And sometimes, I just have to go with it: forego the entrée and order the proverbial sampler platter, which is what I did this weekend. As it turns out, it was the perfect time for such an endeavor as there was a veritable bounty of functions ripe for the tasting, bookended, appropriately enough, with harvest parties at two downtown wineries.

The odyssey began Thursday night at Oreana Winery, with Christian Garvin’s annual Harvest Moon party. His hilarious invitations are always difficult to turn down, as is the promise of incredible wine. True to form, Garvin greeted me by offering a pour of his latest syrah, Sierra Nevada in hand. Grapes were crushed, teeth were purpled, and I, well, I was in mojo-preservation mode and left early.

Saturday morning, I was giddy. I’d been eagerly awaiting Presidio Motel’s Jill of All Trades event for weeks and it did not disappoint. The group of female clothing, jewelry, and art vendors Kenny Osehan and Chris Sewell had assembled was amazing — talented, interesting, edgy. Shopping was cut with live tunes and hula-hooping, and I’m proud to say I stayed until my wallet was emptied. Ahem.

Although I’m not kidding about the empty wallet, I actually left when I did in order to make it to a fundraiser for All for One, formerly known as Hoods in the Woods. This inspiring organization is spearheaded by Matt Sanchez, a hands-on, no-nonsense teddy bear who makes it his practice to redirect kids headed down a dangerous path. He’d clearly rather get down to the business of doing what he does than toot his own horn, and judging by the kids who spoke — in between the witticisms of Mr. Larry Crandell — he knows what he’s doing.

By Sunday, I was ready to relax, which was convenient, as there was more harvest-celebrating wine drinking on the agenda, this time at the new-ish Salsipuedes Street Carr Winery. Stepping inside, it took a moment for my eyes to adjust, a pause that went to perfect dramatic effect, as the space came into focus far cooler than I could have imagined. Its refurbishment was clearly a labor of love, as evidenced by every last detail. (Not the least of which was the Telegraph Ale — Carr’s next door neighbor — kegorator beside the bar.) Jessica Carr hooked me up with a taste, a tour, and a tease in the form of an invitation to come back — one I intend to accept.

So, maybe, sometimes the best decision is no decision. Ultimately, however, my bountiful weekend left me with more questions than answers. Among them: Why are winemakers always drinking beer? Why hadn’t I heard of one of S.B.’s most relevant nonprofits before? When will the dream team at the Presidio Motel decide to make Jill of All Trades a regular event? And what should I have for dinner? Fish? Steak? Or maybe a little of each …

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