Local winery hosts fundraiser to support live theater losses

(Livermore) – Like so many beloved annual traditions, Shakespeare in the Vineyard, Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s 19-year-old Livermore Valley Wine Country event, was canceled due to the global pandemic in the summer of 2020. With the future of large gatherings uncertain, the professional theater company has found a source of life support through their performance venue and producing partner, Darcie Kent Vineyards. September 18-20, Darcie Kent Vineyards will host private tastings of the exclusive Shakespeare in the Vineyard Limited wine series that was to be sold during the summer Shakespeare festival. “We want to welcome the Livermore Shakes patrons to Darcie Kent Vineyards, despite the cancellation of the performances. We can still drink wine, celebrate and enjoy the outdoors so why not make it a fundraiser,” said winemaker Darcie Kent.

Proceeds from the Shakespeare in the Vineyard wine sold during the week of September 16th-20th will benefit LIvermore Shakespeare Festival. As an added bonus, the Shakespeare in the Vineyard bottles feature original artwork created by Darcie Kent and daughter Kailyn Kent.

The wine fundraiser also celebrates one of the valley’s “Perfect Pairings” as the outdoor Shakespeare festival at an award-winning winery is one of the area’s ‘not-so-secret’ tourist draws. “We usually bring over 5,000 people out to our wine country performances each summer. Ticket sales are our bread and butter and canceling the season had a huge impact on our bottom line. Darcie, an artist herself, is passionate about supporting the arts and we are so grateful to the Kents and the winery for supporting Livermore Shakes.” The company plans to re-launch the outdoor festival at Darcie Kent Vineyards in the summer of 2021, CDC and county regulation permitting.

Darcie Kent Vineyards is located at 7000 Tesla Road. Shakespeare in the Vineyard wine sales will take place September 16th - 20th, 2020. All sales of Shakespeare in the Vineyard wine benefit Livermore Shakespeare Festival. Wine can be purchased online for curbside pick-up or FREE shipping if purchasing 3 bottles or more. Shakespeare in the Vineyard Wine Tastings will take place Friday September 18, Saturday September 19th, Sunday September 20th 12-4pm. Reservations must be made as this is a limited, socially-distanced event. Tasting will be approximately 60 minutes in length. Tasting tables can seat up to 6 participants in a group.

Livermore Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit arts and arts education organization operating in the Tri-Valley for the past 19 years. More information can be found at LivermoreShakes.org.