Pizarro: HONORING THE COACH

Article Launched: 09/20/2007 01:33:38 AM PDT

A tribute to late 49ers Coach Bill Walsh will take place Sunday at an event for one of his favorite causes - the sixth annual Healthy Kids wine tasting and auction, to be held at Thomas Fogarty winery in Woodside.

Healthy Kids provides medical coverage for 12,000 children in Santa Clara County who don't qualify for public insurance programs because of family income or immigration status. Walsh got involved through his son, Craig, head of the Santa Clara County Family Health Foundation, which raises funds for Healthy Kids.

The elder Walsh participated in the wine-tasting fundraiser for its first five years, joined by Eric Brandenburg of Brandenburg Properties, Bert George of Joseph George Wines and vintner Tom Fogarty.

The vineyards whose wines will be featured at Sunday's event include Duckhorn Vineyards, Frog's Leap, Kings Mountain Winery and Rombauer Vineyards. Food pairings will be provided by San Jose's Le Papillon restaurant.

The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m., and tickets are $150; contact Melodie Gellman at (408) 874-1904 or e-mail her at mgellman@scfhp.com for reservations.

Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@mercurynews.com or (408) 627-0940 and read him online (http://blogs. mercurynews.com/ pizarro).