EVENTS 11 ways to savor 30 days of wine
September is California Wine Month. Now in its 12th year, there is more than ever to celebrate. For the state that would rank fourth in the world if it were its own country, the industry’s annual contributions reached $57.6 billion. Here are some ways to enjoy the fruits of the winemaking business in Northern California throughout the month:
Russian River Valley Winegrowers Annual Paulée: What organizers call the ultimate winemaker dinner in a most desirable Northern California section of grape country involves 24 proud wineries like Kosta Browne, Square Peg and Joseph Swan — and one of the hottest tickets of Sonoma Wine Country weekend. Sept. 1, Landmark Vineyards, 101 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood. $200. www. rrvw.org
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend: More than 200 wineries pour thousands of wines while more than 60 local chefs craft pairings designed to elevate the wine and honor Sonoma’s booming Wine Country. Seminars, demos and winemaker meals round out the programming. There’s so much to get to that this year they expanded the main event, Taste of Sonoma, to two afternoons. Sept. 1-3, Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Passes start at $150. www.sonomawinecountry weekend.com
Livermore Valley Harvest Wine Celebration: The timehonored soiree brings in more than 40 Livermore vineyards to combo with food trucks, live music, lawn games, mini-seminars, artisan vendors and more against the backdrop of windmills and vineyards. Sept. 3, Las Positas College, 3000 Campus
Hill Drive, Livermore. $55 presale, $65 at the door, (925) 447-9463. www.lvwine.org
Capitola Art and Wine Festival: An ocean-deep roster of artists, 160 all told, anchor the two-day, free-admission affair, as do 22 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. Music, food and Capitola Village’s views of Monterey Bay help demonstrate how this event is on its 35th annual. Sept. 9-10, south of Capitola Avenue, Capitola. Free. (831) 475-6522. www.capitolaartandwine.com
Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival: The taste bud to-do list is long here, thanks to the grand tasting, celebrity chefs, wine seminars, cooking demos, a farm-to-Tahoe dinner, Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off, winemaker immersion class and the “Take a Hike” progressive picnic. Sept. 8-10, the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, and other locations. Events start at $25. www.gotahoenorth.com
WineSong Charity Auction &
Tasting: The weekend starts with Pinot Noir Celebration at the Little River Inn on Sept. 8 and follows with the main event Sept. 9, when wines from across Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and beyond meet 50 of Mendocino County’s best food purveyors, in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Three hours of live music, too. Sept. 8-9, locations in Mendocino. $75 Pinot, $150 WineSong. (707) 961-4688, www.winesong.org Calistoga Wine Experience: Fresh off a nod from Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of the 10 best wine travel destinations for 2017, Calistoga pairs tastings with winery owners and winemakers and gourmet bites from local chefs. Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers provide the music in an idyllic park setting a half block from downtown. Sept. 9, Pioneer Park, 1308 Cedar St., Calistoga. $75, www.calistogawinegrowers.com/events
2017 Lake County Wine Auction: An extensive pre-auction grand tasting stars the county’s top winemakers and restaurants, followed by an emceed program, three-course dinner, the live auction (loaded with pop-up wine parties, spa days, 12-person lunches and much more) and dancing to Stereo Bounce. Sept. 16, Cache Creek Winery, 250 New Long Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks (Lake County). $150. (866) 279-9463. www.winealliance.org/auction-guide
Sample the Sierra Lake Tahoe Farm-to-Fork Festival: Twenty farmers pair off with restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries to showcase local ingredients in a pleasant outdoor setting. Sept. 16, $40. Bijou Community Park, 1099 Al Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe, (775) 588-1728. www.samplethesierra.com
Eat Drink Los Gatos: Dozens of merchants and area food providers team with more than 40 wineries for a stroll through downtown stopping to sample top wines and foods at a wide range of local shops and restaurants. The walk can go at a relaxed pace, but visitors should move quick on tickets, as it sells out every year. Sept. 23. $45 advance, $50 the day of the event. Locations throughout Los Gatos. (408) 354-9300. www.losgatoschamber.com/ winewalk.php
2017 Sonoma Valley Crush: For three days in September, wineries welcome wine lovers to participate hands on with harvest activities including grape sampling, crush pad tours and actual harvesting. Sept. 8-10. One-day pass $35 ($45 at door), two-plus days $50 ($55 at door). Locations throughout Sonoma Valley. (707) 431-1137. www.heartofsonomavalley. com/sonoma-valley-crush