Bottles and tunes

This month, the 11th annual Pontchartrain Vineyards open-air concert series, Jazz’n the Vines, starts fresh, providing wine lovers a venue for music, picnicking and wine-tasting among the grapevines used in production at this Northshore winery. Pontchartrain Vineyards is Louisiana’s sole producer of traditional grape wines and has awards and attention from respected regional chefs throughout the South. The Jazz’n the Vines Concert series is held each spring and fall on the Bush, La., winery’s lush grounds.

Attendees arrive in late afternoon, often with elaborate picnic paraphernalia, says Pontchartrain Vineyards spokesman Lincoln Case. “I’ve seen people set up really interesting picnics, including a sushi-making station. Other people bring candelabras, china and flatware,” he says. “They get really creative.”

Guests pull up to the edge of the main seating area and unload tables, chairs and food before parking. Food is available for purchase as well. What you can’t bring in, of course, is wine.

A wine-tasting station gives these concert-goers the chance to sample and learn more about different vintages. The Roux St. Louis is among the winery’s most popular, especially in warmer months. Made from blanc du bois grapes, it’s light and fruity with a clean finish. The new release of Pontchartrain Vineyards’ “Dah Red,” a Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon blend, features big fruit, hints of oak and a solid finish. The winery sold out of it last year, says Case.

April 2 kicks off the season, with New Orleans rhythm and blues pianist Jon Cleary. Concerts follow every other Saturday until June 25. This month, catch Michigan acoustic roots musicians Greensky Bluegrass on April 16, during which Pontchartrain Vineyards winemaker John Seago is expected to join the band and play guitar, standard procedure when the winery presents folk music. On April 30, the traditional country and western band Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Review will belt out tunes like it’s the Grand Ole Opry. Gates open at 5 p.m. Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. pontchartrainvineyards.com