Wine plays a significant role in California’s culture, with the state accounting for more than 80 percent of U.S. wine production and hosting over 4,800 wineries across 610,000 acres of vineyards. September marks California Wine Month, when wineries throughout the state organize tours, festivals, grape stomps, culinary events and other activities.
Events include guided hikes in Napa Valley’s hills with Active Wine Adventures, followed by tastings at small-production wineries. In Temecula Valley on September 27, Monte De Oro Winery will host Temecula Valley Crush where visitors can meet winemakers and sample wines from over 30 producers.
The Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show runs from September 12 to 14 in Boonville, offering gold medal-winning wines alongside local produce and crafts. Escondido’s Grape Day Festival takes place on September 13 at Grape Day Park and features grape stomping, wine tasting and live music.
Monterey County invites guests to tour its wine trail or explore Carmel-by-the-Sea’s wine walk with several tasting rooms. In Lodi on September 14, Bokisch Vineyards hosts Race to Slow the Pace—a charity run through vineyards that ends with paella lunch and Spanish-style wines.
Sonoma County Wine Celebration is scheduled for September 18–20. The event includes an opening reception at Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor and a live auction at Cline Family Cellars. Additional experiences feature insider tours and special dining opportunities with local winemakers.
Placer County concludes its Sips and Suds Summer Passport program on September 6 with the Sounds of Summer festival at Gold Hill Gardens estate in Newcastle—an event combining local wines, beer and live music.
Calistoga Harvest Table returns on September 7 in Napa Valley as Lincoln Avenue transforms into a communal table served by local restaurants paired with Calistoga winery selections.
Groth Vineyard & Winery offers a Vineyard and Cellar Walk in Oakville on September 20 that ends with a picnic lunch after behind-the-scenes tours.
San Luis Obispo County hosts Dine in the Vines at ONX Estate Vineyard on September 20 featuring multicourse meals paired with estate wines.
Sonoma celebrates its bicentennial during the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival from September 25–27; events are set around Sonoma Plaza including harvest dinners, tastings and grape stomp competitions.
McGrail Vineyards’ Friday Night Live series continues through September 19 in Livermore Valley with music nights complemented by McGrail wines. Matchbook Wine Co.’s End of Summer Bash is scheduled for Zamora on September 27 featuring food trucks, live music and award-winning wines.
A free recipe e-book has been produced by California Grown together with California Wines and Visit California. Signing up for Visit California’s weekly newsletter provides access to “Iconic California Dishes to Celebrate California Wine Month,” which highlights recipes such as Avocado Salad inspired by Hidden Valley Ranch-Style Dressing.
