For the Love of Grapes and Glass

It's the summer of love at .

But don't get the wrong idea; it's for the love of grapes and glass.

The new wine-tasting area at the studio and shop of the renowned Watsonville glassmaker opened with a ribbon-cutting Friday afternoon.

"Thanks for partaking in this wonderful experiment of ours," Annie Morhauser, Annieglass founder, said to the small crowd of local business leaders and friends.

The wine-tasting bar—the first in the city—will be open weekends through Labor Day at the Annieglass facility on Beach Street and Harvest Drive.

Hunter Hill Vineyard & Winery of Soquel will pour its wines through the first seven weeks of the summer, after which Windy Oaks Estate of Watsonville will be featured.

"It's really exciting," said Christine Slatter of Hunter Hill. "It's a great idea she had."

Morhauser said she wanted to offer customers an activity while they waited to tour the studio and also try to promote local wineries. The Watsonville City Council in early April, though there were concerns about establishing another alcohol retailer in the city.

Wine tasting is open noon-4 p.m. Friday to Sunday and prices start at $5. The studio tours are at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.