Franck Amsallem TrioWith Essiet Essiet and Sylvia QuencaAnd featuring guest, Jeff MorganSunday, June 30, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; 1102 Sixth St.; Berkeley, CA Renowned French jazz pianist Franck Amsallem returns to Berkeley to perform at Covenant Winery’s Summer Music Festival with his trio that includes Essiet Essiet on bass and Sylvia Quenca on drums. Franck has recorded and played with such jazz stars as Ron Carter, Gerry Mulligan, Josh Redman, Roy Hargrove, Bill Stewart, Randy Brecker, Gary Peacock and even the Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts. Joining Franck on bass will be Essiet Essiet, who has performed and recorded with the likes of Art Blakey, Kenny Garrett, Cedar Walton, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Morgan, Dr. John and David “Fathead” Newman. And on drums will be the talented Sylvia Quenca, who not only played with the late, great tenor saxophonist, Joe Henderson, but who is also married to Essiet. Covenant founding winemaker, Jeff Morgan, joins them on tenor saxophone. Jeff played internationally with Franck for some 20 years prior to becoming a winemaker and founding Covenant Winery. Sets begin at 2 p.m. $25 entry includes a glass of Covenant wine to pair with the music. Reservations on line at  www.covenantwines.com  

Covenant Winery Announces 2023 Summer Concert Calendar Second year of popular series at the urban winery tasting patio in Berkeley, California Berkeley, CA, April 2023 - The Covenant Winery Summer Music Series, now in its 2nd year, will kick off at their Sixth Street Winery in Berkeley on Sunday, April 23rd, and continue through the end of July, just before harvest season starts. Showcased at the winery's new outdoor tasting lounge, fans of wine and music can enjoy the vibe of the Berkeley Drinks District, while sipping a nice array of wines from throughout California's diverse wine regions.   Covenant founding winemaker Jeff Morgan, who owns the winery with his wife and CEO Jodie, has a deep history with music as a performer, specifically as a saxophone player. After a formal education at the French National Music Conservatory in Nice, France Jeff became a co-band leader for the house band in Monte Carlo at Prince Rainier’s Grand Casino in Monaco.  He took a hiatus from playing music for the last 20+ years, but during the COVID lockdown, he had some time on his hands and returned to his saxophone. Jeff’s funk band—Free Run—will launch the series on April 23; and his jazz quintet—Jeff Morgan Jazz-will perform on April 30. Free Run returns May 14, June 11, June 25, July 16, and July 30. Other bands to be featured in the music series include French Jazz pianist, Franck Amsallem, bassist Jeff Denson’s trio, jazz ensemble Charged Particles,  Conjunto Guarajuba (soulful Bossa and Brazilian) and the classic rock band Felsen. For the complete Covenant Winery concert schedule, and to purchase tickets, go to https://covenantwines.com/tasting-patio/.  Performances take place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets can be purchased in advance, and $20 will get you a glass of wine (choice of white, rosé, or red) and concert admission.  Reservations can also be made at wine@covenantwines.com. In honor of the winery's 20th anniversary, 2023  features several special events, tastings and celebrations commemorating the family-owned winery's achievements.   Stay tuned for more details by following the winery on Instagram @CovenantWines or signing up for one of several winery clubs at www.covenantwines.com or emailing wine@covenantwines.com. Media queries: For images, Interviews, and any additional information, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET at Charles Communications Associates at 415-730-0064 or kcharles@charlescomm.com. # # #  

Covenant Winery Kicks off 20th Anniversary with Jazz Concert at City Winery in New York City Jeff Morgan & Friends, Sunday February 5th 2:30-5 PM Berkeley, CA  January 23, 2023- Covenant Winery, which highlights appellation driven wines from California and Israel, kicks off its 20th anniversary celebration on Sunday, February 5th at City Winery from 2:30 PM to 5 PM in New York City with a jazz concert led by winery founder and proprietor, Jeff Morgan, and friends.  Celebrating the 20th marker of their first vintage, the winery is an urban destination located in Berkeley, California's exciting Gilman District, home to wineries, breweries and distilleries offering visitors a full California wine appellational experience, along with releases from the company's Israeli portfolio. Morgan owns the Covenant winery with his wife and CEO Jodie and has a deep history with music as a performer, specifically as a saxophone player. After a formal education at the French National Music Conservatory in Nice, France Jeff became a co-band leader for the house band in Monte Carlo at Prince Rainier’s Grand Casino in Monaco.   He took a hiatus from playing music for the last 25 years, but because of the pandemic, he had some time on his hands and returned to his saxophone again. After a full year of practice and hosting  a summer concert series in 2022 at the Tasting Patio of their urban winery, Jeff has regained his playing chops. The wines of Covenant have received wide international acclaim and the Morgans have collaborated on ten cookbooks together, refining the approach to food and wine pairing.   Elegant and approachable, books such as the Covenant Kitchen, the Dean & Deluca cookbook and the Domaine Chandon cookbook have delighted foodies with their fresh, ingredient driven recipes.  Their informed and no-nonsense food pairings take the guesswork out of entertaining challenges, allowing the chef to relax and enjoy the journey of cooking and wine pairing. The concert will feature a walk around wine tasting of older and current vintages of Covenant, and doors open at 2:30 PM, with the concert kicking off at 3:30 PM.   Tickets can be purchased here.  City Winery NYC is located at 25 Eleventh Avenue at 15th Street in Manhattan, NY. 2023 will feature a number of special events, tastings and celebrations commemorating the family-owned winery's achievements.   Stay tuned for more details by following the winery on Instagram @CovenantWines or signing up for one of several winery clubs at www.covenantwines.com or emailing wine@covenantwines.com. For images, interviews, and information, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at 415-730-0064 or kcharles@charlescomm.com.