McKenzie Event Management helps Testarossa Vineyards
open their new Los Gatos mountain winery tasting room
and event facility.
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills above
downtown Los Gatos, Rob and Diana Jensen have grown
their wine making passion from a business started in
the front driveway of their home, into the award winning
Testarossa Vineyards.
In 2003, Rod and Diana negotiated use of the entire
Los Gatos Historic Novitiate Winery, and they jumped
in with both feet (so to speak). In record time they
completed a beautiful $300,000 remodel of the estate,
including a new two room Event Center complete with
a tasting room and catering kitchen.
McKenzie Event Management was excited to be approached by Testarossa
to help with the grand opening of their new facility.With
the event just a few weeks away, the challenge at hand
was twofold: pulling the details together quickly and
having a rain plan in place due to inclement weather
forecasts. In record time, McKenzie Event Management took
charge; arranging a full scale ribbon cutting ceremony
and official Proclamation.
(Photo above right, by...Margaret Speth Photography)
McKenzie Event Management also arranged for the Mayor
of Los Gatos, Steve Glickman, to be in attendance to
present the proclamation along side representatives
from the Chamber of Commerce. Kaycee coordinated a pre-event
walkthrough and meeting between the Mayor and the Jensens,
to break the ice. “Even when a rehearsal is not
required, it’s always a good idea for everyone
involved to see the venue, and become familiar with
the surroundings, the people involved and the event
timing. Developing familiarity creates warmth and fluidity
within an event,” notes Kaycee.
On December 6, 2003, approximately 200 guests attended
the afternoon opening which benefited the Los Gatos
Library History Project.
Another challenge was encountered. Streets leading
up to Testarossa would be closed for several hours that
morning for a holiday parade. They would open only after
the streets were cleaned, just two hours before the
scheduled opening. McKenzie Event Management communicated
with the Los Gatos Police Department regarding traffic
issues in order to weave vendors through back streets
to set up the event. Weatherproof street signage was
custom designed to direct guests to the winery.
 The
ribbon cutting was held inside Testarossa's cave entrance;
showcasing the historical stone building, elegant arched
ceilings, and unique fixtures. The grand opening “ribbon”
was designed as a beautiful twelve foot long holiday
cedar garland filled with roses, holly, grapevine, berries,
gold ribbon, and specialty miniature lights.
Following the ceremony guests were invited into the
Event Center tasting room to enjoy Testarossa’s
award winning wine paired with cuisine by chef Justin
Perez of Restaurant O.
For the kids in attendance, McKenzie Event Management
set up a reindeer craft project using wine corks, which
was a hit both with the kids and parents alike.
McKenzie Event Management is a preferred event planning
company for Testarossa Vineyards, and has worked with
clients to create a number of events at this unique
location. This includes casual but sophisticated parties,
tabletop design for King’s Table dinner celebrations,
and more. |
