Join the festivities throughout September at wineries across the state—or bring the harvest excitement home
Wine is as much a part of the California lifestyle as catching a wave, hiking among ancient redwoods, or cruising in a convertible along the Golden State’s breathtaking coastline. As the home of 610,000 acres of vineyards, more than 100 different grape varieties, and 4,800 wineries, California produces more than 80 percent of the nation’s wine. That’s a major achievement that calls for a big celebration. Throughout the month of September—officially designated as California Wine Month—wineries from all over the state are hosting behind-the-scenes harvest tours, festivals, grape stomps, culinary experiences, and more.
Whether you’re hopping on the Morgan Hill Wine Trolley, picking grapes with a winemaker in Napa Valley, or enjoying a private tasting in the Anderson Valley in the North Coast region, there are dozens of events and experiences planned all over the state.
To get you started on your California Wine Month adventure, here are some excellent ways to celebrate. (To view the full calendar of California Wine Month events and activities, go to Discover California Wines.)
Take a hike
Meet at the Six Sigma Ranch & Winery tasting room in Lake County for a guided morning hike on Sept. 7. You’ll trek four miles in two hours among the property’s rolling hills and vineyards, then make your way back to the winery for a well-earned glass of wine.
Cultivate a new crush
Meet and mingle with winemakers at Temecula Valley Crush on Sept. 7, hosted by Monte De Oro Winery in Temecula. The walk-around tasting showcases wines from more than 30 award-winning producers from this Inland Empire hub, along with tasty bites from local caterers.
Taste winning wines
Taste the “people’s choice” gold medal winners from the Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition Sept. 13–15 at the Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show. Held at the Boonville fairgrounds in Mendocino County’s Anderson Valley, this family-friendly event showcases local wines, apples, produce, and crafts.
Raise a glass to the grape
Bring the family along to Grape Day Park in Escondido Sept. 14 for the Escondido Grape Day Festival. The free festival in San Diego County dates back to 1908 and includes grape stomping, local wine tasting, food vendors, antique farm machinery, children’s games, and live music.
Hit the trail
Spend the day in beautiful Monterey County touring wineries along the Monterey Wine Trail. With a dozen stops to choose from, you’re sure to find some new favorites. If you’d rather explore on foot, follow the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk, which includes a fun variety of tasting rooms and wine bars within this charming European-style village.
Race for a great cause
Head for Bokisch Vineyards in Lodi on Sept. 15 for a 5K or 10K race to support a great cause: preserving the region’s farmland. Race to Slow the Pace starts at the winery and weaves its way through the vineyard, giving runners a chance to appreciate the scenic natural habitat. The trail run ends with a paella lunch and Spanish-style wines under the winery’s shady oak trees.
Raise a paddle for a charity
The Sonoma County Wine Auction is now the Sonoma County Wine Celebration. The reimagined shindig, set for Sept. 19–21 at Chateau St. Jean, features an opening reception on Thursday, a Friday evening bash, and a live auction on Saturday offering everything from large-format wine collections to a behind-the-scenes racing experience at Sonoma Raceway. New add-on events around Sonoma County include insider wine tours and special dining experiences with local winemakers and chefs.
Get your grill on
The grand finale of Placer County’s Sips and Suds Summer Passport is the Sips and Suds Winemaker and Brewers BBQ on Sept. 20. Wander the grounds of the beautiful Gold Hill Gardens estate in Newcastle, in Gold Country, and enjoy BBQ with local wine, bubbles, and beer. Meet winemakers, play games, and jam to live music.
Dine in an olive grove
Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles is celebrating the 2024 harvest on Sept. 21 with a Sunset Dinner in the Olive Grove. The event starts with a canapé hour and a selection of Niner wines, then moves into an alfresco dinner at communal long tables in the winery’s beautiful olive grove. After dinner, watch the sunset and dance to live music under twinkling string lights.
Get your hands dirty
On Sept. 21, Groth Vineyard & Winery in Oakville hosts From Fruit to Wine: The Magic of Harvest. Walk the vineyard with Director of Winegrowing Ted Henry to gather grapes, then head back to the winery to evaluate their ripeness and estimate a potential harvest date. The tour finishes with a visit to the crushpad and cellar to taste the first juice of the vintage.
Wine and dine
On Sept. 21 in San Luis Obispo County, enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres and dinner at Dine in the Vines, held at the ONX Estate Vineyard, located in the Templeton Gap District of the Paso Robles AVA. Chef Amy Robinson of Epicurean Santa Barbara will prepare the multicourse meal, paired with wines from the ONX team.
Join a harvest fiesta
At the Merryvale Vineyards Harvest Fiesta in Napa on Sept. 22, guests can mingle with the winemaker, get insights on the 2024 harvest, and taste Merryvale barrel samples while enjoying a Mexican-style feast from Mother’s Tacos. A mariachi band will provide a festive live soundtrack.
Celebrate Sonoma’s Bicentennial
The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival on Sept. 26–28 celebrates Sonoma Valley’s 200-year heritage as a winegrowing region. Set on the historic Sonoma Plaza, the weekend features the Artisan Festival of Food & Wine, plus a vintage movie night, a harvest dinner at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, a blessing of the grapes, and a competitive grape stomp.
Go classical
McGrail Vineyards in Livermore hosts a classical Evening Under the Stars with famed Italian tenor Pasquale Esposito on Sept. 28. Take your seat on the winery lawn and admire sweeping views of Livermore Valley as you nosh on wood-fired pizzas paired with McGrail wines by the glass or bottle. Esposito’s pop-opera performance benefits music programs at local schools.
Say farewell to summer
Usher in the fall season with a bang at the End of Summer Bash at Matchbook Wine Co. in Yolo County. Set for Sept. 28, the party features food from Heavy D’s, tunes by the Eagles tribute band One of These Nights, and Matchbook wines to match the festive occasion.
You can also bring the harvest home with classic California recipes. California Grown has teamed up with California Wines and Visit California to create a free recipe e-book. Sign up for Visit California's weekly travel inspiration e-newsletter and you'll get a free copy of Iconic California Dishes to Celebrate California Wine Month, featuring classic California dishes like Avocado Salad with Hidden Valley Ranch-Style Dressing, and The Best Strawberry Shortcake inspired by the famous version served at Boccali’s Pizza in Ojai.
