img

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

CONTACT A SPECIALIST

California Wine Harvest Season – Why You Need To Go!

Culinary Travel

September 3, 2019

Harvest Season is from August to October, but it’s the month of September when the state celebrates the season with a variety of events, festivals and behind the scenes experiences.

 

It’s a great time to visit and something you might want to start planning now for next year because accommodations and event tickets quickly sell out.

 

Here are few things to inspire you, while sipping your favourite California red or white wine:

 

  • A Sampling of California Wine Month Events:
    • Walk with the Winemaker Sept. 7, 2019. Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains. Cost: Free. An easy walk from Grape (Chardonnay vineyard) to Glass in about an hour with the Cooper-Garrod Winemaker himself as your guide. Join in the fun!
    • Harvest Hands 2019 Sept. 14, 2019. Melville Winery, Santa Barbara. Cost: $100 Have you ever wondered what harvest is really like? Join Chad Melville for foot stomping, punch downs, pressing and more at Harvest Hands 2019.
    • Ramona Grape Stomp Sept. 14, 2019. Ramona Ranch Vineyard & Winery, San Diego County. Cost $10 Grape stomping fun with Ramona Ranch Vineyards and Winery at the Ramona Grape Stomp.
    • Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival – September 27-29, 2019.  Visit Sonoma for the oldest festival in California. The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival honors the wine, food, culture and heritage of Sonoma Valley.
    • Cave Tour and Barrel Tasting at Alexander Valley Vineyards Sept. 1-30, 2019. Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County. Cost: Free Tour and taste inside our 25,000 square foot underground wine cave. Learn about our barrel aging program while tasting young wine from the barrels.

 

  • Wine Regions to Discover:
Most people are familiar with Napa and Sonoma Valley, but what about Mendocino, Lodi or San Luis Obispo?  Here are some interesting facts about each region:

 

    • Mendocino has the most acreage of certified organic vineyards in the country.
    • San Luis Obispo ranks as one of the state’s premiere wine growing regions, dating back to the 18th century.
    • And Lodi is the unofficial Zinfandel Capital of the World and produces over 40 per cent of California’s premium Zinfandel.

 

  • Unique Wineries to Visit:
    • Matanzas Creek Winery makes wonderful wines and farms its own organic lavender fields, which guests can enjoy walking through after a tasting.
    • Balletto Vineyards not only makes good wines, but they even have their own regulated sized baseball field.  Catch a community league game on Sundays in the spring and summer months.
    • Penny Royal Farm is a creamery, vineyard and farmstead.  You can visit, tour and taste making it a unique experience.
    • Or Round Pond.  Here you can experience both wine and olive oil tastings, both produced on the property.

 

  • And Just Cause….
    • Check out Miminashi Soft Cream.  You can find it in downtown Napa serving flavours like Honey-crème fraîche in a waffle cone with toasted coconut. Yum!
    • Or how about a horse trail ride through Jack London State Park, yup the author, ending it with a wine tasting at Benziger Family Winery?  Sign me up!

 

Have any questions or wish to begin planning your trip to California.  I am happy to help!

 

 

 

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign-up and let us be your resource for all things travel.
Stay up to date on travel promotions or get travel inspiration.

Newsletter