It’s that time of the year again … time to be inspired. Maui’s Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store invites us to come on up to beautiful Upcountry Maui for Ulupalakua Inspires on Sunday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This wonderful event is free. It will showcase the musical “artwork” of jazz with a live performance by Grammy-winning saxophone legend Tom Scott and his trio, on the winery grounds from 3 to 3:45 p.m. A prolific musician, composer, arranger and bandleader, Scott has dozens of solo albums to his credit and is maybe best known for his soundtrack work on TV shows like “Starsky and Hutch” in the ’70s and ’80s, as well as the success of his pop-jazz band L.A. Express. Over the years, he has collaborated with artists from Joni Mitchell to George Harrison and has won three Grammy awards for his work.
And Scott’s won’t be the only music on tap: a full lineup of Maui’s finest jazz musicians will perform throughout the day. From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hawaiian-style jazz guitarist Benny Uyetake will entertain on the lanai of the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. Robbie Ray (you may have heard him on Mana‘o Radio!) will bring his Cocoland Jazz show to the winery grounds from noon to 12:45 p.m.
Brittni Paiva, one of the islands’ best female ‘ukulele players, will demonstrate her diverse musical talents with jazz ‘ukulele from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Follow up that performance with living legend Henry Kaleaialoha Allen and his trademark “tropical swing and a touch of cool jazz” from 2 to 2:45 p.m., and jazz lovers will be in paradise! Visitors may even get a chance to meet the artists and have CDs signed.
Adding to the inspiration of the day will be the newest member of the Maui’s Winery ‘ohana: the 2009 Plantation Red Maui County Syrah. First released in 1994, this very limited estate wine exemplifies Maui’s unique terroir with a blend of 90 percent Syrah and 10 percent Carnelian handpicked from the slopes of Haleakala. Visitors to “Ulupalakua Inspires” are invited to enjoy exclusive samples of this beautiful, dark purple wine with violet tones. (As only 300 cases of the wine were produced, it is only available for tasting on this day, and purchases are limited to six bottles per customer.)
Free wine tasting is offered throughout the day in the historic King’s Cottage Tasting Room; with a complimentary winery tour at 10:30 a.m.
“Since the early days of Rose Ranch, Ulupalakua has had a history of welcoming guests with music and hospitality,” says Paula Hegele, president of Maui’s Winery. “We hope you’ll come on up and be inspired by the wonderful live jazz and the beautiful surroundings!”
In this “picnic-perfect” setting, visitors will find all the eats they need at Ulupalakua Ranch Store Deli & Grill. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the grill offers delicious lunch specials like Maui Cattle Company burgers (featuring 100-percent natural, premium Angus beef raised on Maui), Ulupalakua Elk Burgers, the ranch’s famous Ulupalakua Steak Chili, Ranch-Style Brisket and more.
To learn more about Ulupalakua’s rich heritage, visit the Winery’s new website at www.mauiwine.com. And more on Ulupalakua at www.ulupalakuaranch.com
