The opening of downtown San Jose’s San Pedro Square Marketplace is still a few months off, but the public can get its first peak at the long-anticipated (and long-delayed) market at SJMADE on Sept. 17-18. SJMADE will hold a vendor fair showcasing San Jose artists, designers and brands alongside a handful of market vendors. The event runs 11am-7pm both days.

Meanwhile, market manager Steven Borkenhagen says the market will officially open in October. Pardon me if I don’t hold my breath. But when it does open, it’s poised to breath some new life into downtown San Jose. The market is patterned after great European public markets or Pike Place in Seattle and the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, British Columbia. When it finally opens, it will feature about 20 vendors and a lively outdoor space built around the historic Peralta Adobe.

Borkenhagen says more than 80 percent of the market has been leased out. Among the food vendors are Treatbot, purveyor of desserts and karaoke; La Fina Cocina, a Latino-themed kitchen and lifestyle store; Pizza Bocca Luppo, wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza; and Robee’s Falafel. Nonfood vendors include Crewners, an old-school barbershop, and the San Pedro Square Market Gift Shop. For more information, go to sanpedrosquaremarket.com and sanjosemade.com.

In other food news, Cinnabar Winery will host its fourth-annual harvest barbecue Sept. 17, noon-4pm, at its Sunny Slope vineyard in Saratoga. The event includes a wine-tasting reception and fresh-baked wood-fired pizzas noon-1pm. Lunch will be served 1-2pm and feature Caesar salad, pasta primavera, grilled tri-tip, grilled vegetables and various desserts. 

The event will also comes with a dessert contest. The winner gets a three-liter bottle of Mercury Rising. There will also be bocce ball, live music and an opportunity to talk with winemaker George Troquato.

Tickets are $50. Advanced registration is required for the dessert contest. Contact Cinnabar Winery at 408.867.1012 or 408.741.5858 for details.