The 20 th anniversary of California Wine Month in September is the best time to enjoy some of the
finest wines produced in California. Here are twenty ways to celebrate across the state!
Alpen Cellars-
If you want to enjoy a view while drinking award-winning wines, family-owned Alpen
Cellars is your spot. Offering outdoor tastings, it is nestled in the beautiful East Fork of the Trinity
Lake Mountain Valley. Grab a glass of the unique Blaufrankisch or toast with a refreshing
Chardonnay. The winery also offers camping and glamping accommodations.
Wine For All-
Wine connoisseurs will love a private tasting with the winemaker at Sepentrio Winery
in its new Barrel Room in Humboldt County, while GenZers and Millennials will appreciate learning
about the natural winemaking processes at family-run Miles Garrett Wines. For a fun night in Eureka,
head to Old Growth Cellars for its paint-and-sip nights.
Iron Hub Winery-
In the heart of Gold County, Iron Hub Winery is making liquid gold. Visitors can
enjoy the estate-grown wines as part of the Vineyard Tour and Tasting. During the 90-minute guided
visit, you will learn about sustainable wine production at the boutique winery and try several of its
wines paired with small bites.
Sips and Suds Winemaker and Brewers BBQ-
On September 20, 2024, at the beautiful 38-acre Gold
Hill Gardens in Newcastle, wine lovers will have a chance to sample local wines, meet the
winemakers, and enjoy the bubbles bar, live music, and BBQ at the Winemaker and Brewers BBQ.
Downtown Napa Celebrations-
Wine lovers do not need to leave the city to celebrate California
Wine Month in Downtown Napa. Robert Mondavi’s new tasting room, Arch & Tower, offers
Stunning views of the city. Vin en Noir Wine Lounge opened in early 2024 and is the first Black and
Asian woman-owned tasting room in the city brought to life by renowned winemaker Julien Fayard.
Bubble lovers will not want to miss Be Bubbly sparkling wine lounge and its new Champagne and
Caviar flights. The Azur Tasting Lounge pairs wine and trivia every Monday.
Lillie & Lobster at Larkmead- Indulge in Larkmead Vineyards’ refreshing Lillie Estate Sauvignon
Blanc and other wines from its private library with a traditional New England-style lobster boil. The
alfresco feast on Aug. 23, 2024, is the perfect kick-off to California Wine Month.
Wine Down in Pacifica-
Pacifica’s Table Wine is a laid-back shop that curates a selection of organic
and sustainable bottles, mostly under $25. The vibe continues at A Grape in the Fog near Rockaway
Beach, where you can enjoy global wines and food without any attitude.
Urban Wine Time-
Wine your way through Oakland on a guided urban wine tour with East Bay Wine
Tours, or visit Rosenblum Cellars to taste its acclaimed Zinfandels, Minimo wine bar to sip its small
batch natural wines, family-run Cote West to sample Old-world style California wines and Coco Noir
or The Wine Mine for a casual spot to relax and raise a glass of local vino.
Three Wine Regions Converge-
Healdsburg is the epicentre of the Russian River Valley, Alexander
Valley and Dry Creek Valley wine regions. The charming town offers the ideal place to celebrate
California Wine Month. Comstock Wines is serving up a wine and wood-fired pairing, while Trattore
Farms & Winery is launching a new wine and food pairing experience. Alexander Valley
Vineyards offers a two-for-one tasting special during September and Mills Creek will offer vineyard
tours each Saturday. For something unique, BACA Wines Sensory Tasting Experience offers prizes for
guests who can best guess the flavours in each wine.
Mariposa Triangle Tasting-
Drive through the stunning High Sierras on the 30-mile Mariposa Triangle
Tasting Tour to experience the region’s zesty Zinfandels, Campfire Champagne (cider) and down-
home cuisine. Stop at The Local Grape, Casto Oaks Fine Wine & Art and Sierra Cider along the way.
Get MoWine- If you want to celebrate California Wine Month but cannot make it to the Golden
State, the Get MoWines Program allows guests to join sommelier Pat Dodd online as he takes you
across Modesto on the hunt for all things wine.
Alterna-Tea Tasting-
When you are in Paso Robles, teatime turns into wine time at ONX Estate
Wines. Surrounded by the vineyards, guests will enjoy five estate wines paired with homemade tea
sandwiches and pastries.
Celebrate Sustainability-
On the Central Coast, explore the SLO CAL Sustainable Wine Trail featuring
nearly 50 wineries that have sustainable certifications. Do not miss Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso
Robles, the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified Winery. Other standouts include the guided
cave tour at Eberle Winery and the Sinor-LaVallee tasting room in Avila Beach.
Wine Adventures in Santa Maria Valley-
The Santa Maria Valley was the first AVA on the Central
Coast. To celebrate California Wine Month, guests can experience a private electric ATV tour and
guided tasting at The Gatehouse at Bien Nacido, owned by Miller Family Wine Company. The Fess
Parker Winery & Vineyard is celebrating its 35th anniversary and invites guests to explore some
of its 714-acre ranch on a vineyard horseback adventure, which includes a guided ride and seated
tasting.
Seaside Sips-
Carmel-by-the-Sea invites wine lovers to kick off the harvest season at its 31st Annual
Winemakers' Celebration on Aug. 24, 2024. The event features over 100 wines from 42
varieties. Guests can enjoy sampling the local wines and engaging with the winemakers. Throughout
the year oenophiles can enjoy the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk, featuring the best Monterey
County wine all within a one-square-mile area.
Desert Drinking-
Bouschet in Palm Springs is a wine bar featuring unique wines on tap, a bistro
menu, and weekly tastings. Owned by partners with an extensive background in the wine and food
industry, the shop’s selection is highly curated to bring the best of the wine world to the desert.
Crushin’ It-
Temecula vintners celebrate California Wine Month with the annual CRUSH event.
Hosted by Monte De Oro Winery on Sept. 7, 2024, over 30 wineries will be sampling their sips. Wine
lovers can meet winery owners and winemakers and enjoy the award-winning wines paired with
good eats from local restaurants.
Oceanside Oenophile-
Celebrate California Wine Month with a tour of the wine bars in Santa
Monica, from the upscale but relaxed Wally’s Santa Monica to the cosy neighbourhood vibe at Esters
Wine Shop & Bar. To see more of the wineries in the area, join Malibu Discovery Tours on a VIP
Tour that pairs California food and wine.
The Witching Hour-
Happy hour becomes the witching hour at Buena Park’s The Cauldron. The
witch-themed bar features a rotating selection of California wine from artisanal producers. If you are
looking for a bottle to bring home, Corked, a new wine shop, offers a wide selection of local sips that
make great souvenirs.
Cheers to Carlsbad-
Enjoy urban wineries like Carruth Cellars, Witch Creek Winery and the new
Costa Azul in the heart of Carlsbad. Grab a glass at Napatini Wine Bar, Oak + Elixir or La Costa Wine
Shop, or enjoy local wine dining at restaurant hotspots like the Polo Steakhouse, Ponto Lago, and
Bob’s Chophouse.
