Leading Chicago artist Margaret Wharton is known for her evocative, multilayered works of art that use familiar objects in unfamiliar ways, and she is bringing her goods to the West Coast for the first time. Through Aug. 27, Wharton's work will be on display at the Montalvo Gallery.

With chairs, banjos and books, Wharton takes on topics such as family, religion and spirituality, creating everything from handheld sculptures to an 8-foot-tall concrete and wooden-winged tabernacle.

"I believe art should take you away for a moment from daily living. You should get a laugh or get lost in thought," she says.

The Montalvo Gallery is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call 408.961.5813.


Special reduced cost wine tours

Take advantage of discounted wine tasting at Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards in Saratoga before it ends. Until July 31, the winery is inviting guests every Friday at 3 p.m. to taste a variety of house wines, followed by tours of the vineyards, surrounding redwoods and the gravity feed cellar where wines are created. The cost is $5 per person, with a picnicking option available. For more information or to make a reservation, call 408.741.2934.


Passport days in Saratoga, Los Gatos

Whet your wine appetite even more with the Santa Cruz Mountains Winemakers' Association Passport Day on July 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Numerous local vineyards open up for exploration and tasting. Meet winemakers, learn about the diversity of wines and try a private tasting. Every participant will receive a passport, to be stamped by each winery visited.

Participating Saratoga wineries include the Kathryn N. Kennedy Winery, Lonen & Jocelyn Wines, Cinnabar Vineyards & Winery, Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, Mount Eden Vineyards, The Mountain Winery and Cooper-Garrod Vineyards.

Los Gatos wineries include Generosa Winery, Burrell School Vineyards, Byington Winery & Vineyard, Troquato Vineyards and the David Bruce Winery.

For more information, visit http://www.scmwa.com.