A NEW YEAR OF WINE TASTING IN CALIFORNIA
It's never too early to plan your 2017 tasting trips! So save these dates now. The following festivals are only a few of the many events in California that may be interesting. (Listed in order by date.)- 6th Annual Winter Wine Classic – Santa Barbara
- Sunshine Millions Wine Festival - Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
- Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend - Paso Robles
- 2017 LA Beer Fest - Los Angeles Center Studios, LA
- 6th Annual California Jazz & Wine Fest - Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
- Santa Barbara Vintners New Release Spring Weekend - River View Park, Buellton
- 35th Annual Paso Robles Wine Festival - Downtown City Park, Paso Robles
- ZinFest Wine Festival - Lodi Lake Park, Lodi
- 5th Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Vintners Assoc Wine Festival - Reyes Winery, Agua Dulce
- 34th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival - Lake Skinner, Winchester
- 24th Annual Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival - Camarillo
- The 31st Annual Ojai Wine Festival - Lake Casitas Recreation Area, Ojai
- 2017 Santa Barbara Wine and Food Festival - Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- 30th Annual A Taste of Camarillo – Wine, Brew & Food Festival - Camarillo
- Wine and Fire 2017 - La Purisima Mission, Lompoc
- Harvest Wine Weekend - Paso Robles
Saturday, January 21st
4:00/5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Enjoy amazing wines, gourmet appetizers, an ocean view & amazing sunset under a beautiful heated tent at the Fess Parker Resort. One of the largest gatherings of California’s ultra-elite winemaking masters will be held on Saturday, January 21st.
Ticket price includes commemorative crystal wine tasting glass, live music, wine tastings and appetizers.
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| Santa Anita Graphic |
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
Saturday, January 28th
11:30 am - 5:00 pm
One of the most exciting days at Santa Anita Park’s Winter Meet includes the Sunshine Millions California Cup. It is one-part showcase of the best Cal-Bred Thoroughbreds, and one-part celebration in the fashion that Santa Anita Park delivers. The Sunshine Millions Wine Festival and The Great Race Place offer a bevy of wine (*no list of wineries available) and food to complement an amazing card of racing. Wines from across California will be paired with a day of world-class racing on the Santa Anita Park apron. The racetrack opened it's doors in 1934 as an official racetrack. Many horses have ran at Santa Anita Park, including Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed, John Henry and Zenyatta.
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| Paso Wine Website Graphic |
Paso Robles
Friday - Sunday, March 17 - 19
During Vintage Paso, producers and enthusiasts come together in celebration of everything that Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends add to your palate and your experience. Enjoy a zin-filled weekend with activities including an exciting Zinposium seminar, winemaker dinners, exclusive Zinfandel tastings, winery and vineyard tours and so much more! (Not exactly a wine festival.)
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| Pic by Drink Eat Play Facebook |
Los Angeles Center Studios, 450 South Bixel Street, LA
Saturday, April 8th
12 pm - 3 pm & 5 pm – 8 pm
The 9th Annual LA Beer Festival will feature dozens of international and domestic beers, food trucks (food sold separately), and live entertainment. The fest will take place at LA Center Studios in 2 different sessions: noon to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm. GA tickets include unlimited beer tastings with food sold separately. Connoisseur's Tickets ($80) are limited and offer attendees exclusive access featuring limited beers/one-offs not available to general admission. Proceeds will benefit Noah's B-ark, whose aim is to rescue dogs from shelters and find permanent homes for rescued pets. Proceeds from the event will fund food, shelter, and veterinary bills for rescued pets.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
Sunday, April 9th
Sunday, April 9th
1 pm - 5 pm
An eclectic mix of hot jazz and cool swing will be performed on two
stages and unlimited sampling of wine, craft brews, boutique spirits
and gourmet food are happening on Sunday. Along with artisans displaying their wares, music will include Danny Janklow, saxophonist, producer and composer known internationally for his soulful and passionate sounds. Also performing are the Adam Clark Quartet, Lao Tizer, D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers, The Barrelhouse Wailers and Bruce Forman’s “Cow Bop.” Presented by Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, proceeds will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley.
River View Park, Buellton
April 22nd
1 pm - 4 pm
The Santa Barbara Vintners New Release Spring Weekend is four days of wine, food and fun. The highlight of the weekend is the Festival Grand Tasting on Saturday at River View Park in Buellton. Enjoy new release wines from participating member wineries; food sampling from more than twenty food purveyors; live music; wine and culinary demonstrations; local artisans; and a silent auction.
Throughout the four day weekend many wineries host their own events, including open houses, winemaker dinners, library tastings, vineyard walks, and barrel tastings. Some of these individual events require reservations directly with the host winery.
Downtown City Park, Paso Robles
May 18 - 21
The Paso Robles Wine Festival is the marquee tasting event held along California's Central Coast. The Wine Festival starts Thursday, May 18th with Winemaker Dinners. On Friday, May 19th, select wineries feature their Library, Reserve, White/Rosé, and Futures complemented by fresh and local gourmet bites at the RESERVE Event. There is a fun and educational Winemaker Seminar on Saturday morning, May 20th. Following the seminar, more than 70 wineries come together in the Paso Robles Downtown City Park to showcase their wines during the Grand Tasting. Wineries at the Grand Tasting will be arranged by “regions” for a seamless and focused tasting experience: Bordeaux-style, Rhône-style, Zinfandel, Burgundian-style, Italian varieties and Other Wild Wines for your tasting pleasure. Plus, new this year, food samples! (Finally!) Live music provide the perfect atmosphere for your wine tasting experience in the picnic area and near the gazebo.
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| ZinFest Website Graphic |
Lodi Lake Park, 1101-1301 W. Turner Road, Lodi
Saturday, May 20th
12 am – 5 pm
Sip, swirl and savor from a selection of 250 handcrafted wines from 50 Lodi wineries. Passionate winemakers and winery representatives welcome guests, offer practical knowledge and share their delicious wines. Enjoy local provisions, learn some new tips at the ZinFest Wine and Cooking Schools, or relax along the beautiful Mokelumne River to an eclectic mix of live music. Guests can peruse merchandise from regional vendors and take home a commemorative bottle of custom blended Old Vine Zinfandel from the ZinFest Wine Shoppe. There is no better way to celebrate the fantastic wines of Lodi Wine Country!
Reyes Winery, 10262 Sierra Hwy, Agua Dulce
Saturday, May 20th
11/12 pm - 4 pm
The Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival is a showcase of Los Angeles County premier wine and spirit producers and culinary professionals. Now, in its fifth year, the Festival showcases nearly 150 wines from over 40 local wineries, over 40 of Santa Clarita’s fine dining restaurants, spirit purveyors, gourmet food companies, and artists.
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| Combined Graphics from Internet |
Lake Skinner, Warren Rd, Winchester
June 2nd - 4th
The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival offers top-name entertainment, wine tasting in the Wine Garden, Kids Faire, Arts & Crafts, Commercial exhibits and a Food Court. Wine tasting features different premium wines from numerous Temecula Valley wineries as well as others from Southern California. Enjoy a memorable experience and book a hot air balloon flight. Your journey will begin at sunrise as the balloon lifts gently into the sapphire skies above Lake Skinner.
California State University Channel Islands
1 University Drive, Camarillo
Sunday, June 4th
A wonderful day of sampling excellent wines, delicious foods, and marvelous micro-brews, all to benefit the programs and services provided by Casa Pacifica to vulnerable and deserving children and their families. The Festival showcases delectable creations of the finest restaurants, caterers, bakeries and specialty shops from Santa Barbara to Conejo Valley. The event also features many renowned wineries and vineyards from throughout California's rich wine-producing regions, as well as many local breweries.
Lake Casitas Recreation Area, Ojai
Sunday, June 11th
12 - 4 pm
The Ojai Wine Festival has grown into a leading regional event attracting about 5,000 people from throughout the central coast and southern California. The Ojai Wine Festival has made its home at beautiful Lake Casitas Recreation Area event site and has become a favorite event for attending wineries with their numbers doubling to event capacity. Wine and beer connoisseurs can delight in over 60 of California’s award winning wineries with more than 250 selections of wine and 15 excellent Premium Beers and Microbrews. VIP Tickets are available for the VIP Lounge with early entry at 11:30 am, exclusive fine wines, Belgian craft beers and hors d'oeuvres. Each year the Ojai Wine Festival has one or two bands playing during the event keeping people grooving on the dance floor.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
June 24th
2 pm - 5 pm
The festival takes place along the banks of Mission Creek at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Mingle with winemakers, bakers, and chefs in the sunshine, under the oak trees. Guests will enjoy the best of Central Coast Wines and try their luck in our Every Cork Wins! raffle. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the Wine Festival supports nature and science education for adults and children.
Adolfo Camarillo Ranch House, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo
Sunday, July 30th
1 pm - 4 pm
Spend an afternoon sampling fine wines & gourmet foods on the beautiful grounds of the historic Camarillo Ranch. Enjoy live entertainment, boutique shopping, silent auction and cash opportunity drawing. Visit with winemakers and chefs in the shade of 100 year old trees. Dust off your boots and enjoy country western music and dancing again this year with live music, a VIP Lark Saloon and the Wet Your Whistle Watering Hole filled with craft beers. A Taste of Camarillo promises to be a wonderful event for everyone with all proceeds benefiting local and Ventura County charities.
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Live & Silent Auction
Saturday, July 29th
5 pm - 10 pm
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| Pictures from Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance website |
La Purisima Mission, Lompoc
August 18th - 20th
The Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance holds their annual Wine and Fire event in August. It’s a weekend of world class wines and wood grilled specialty foods. The three main events include a barn party, a seminar and lunch, and the Grand Tasting at La Purisima Mission. Additional events are hosted by member wineries throughout the weekend.
Paso Robles
October 20th - 22nd
Love wine, but not all the fuss that sometimes goes along with it? In Paso Robles Wine Country, you’ll discover award-winning wines, exceptional restaurants and breathtaking views all without tension or pretension. Try a taste for yourself during Harvest Wine Weekend! Harvest in Paso Robles Wine Country is a time of excitement and celebration! The changing colors of the vines, crisp autumn air, and the promise of a new vintage create a wine country experience not to be forgotten. Explore more than 140 weekend activities, including winemaker dinners, ceremonial grape stomps, barrel tastings, artisanal food pairings, live music and so much more!
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| Oregon Brewers Festival 2011 |
Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, OR
July 26th - 30th
The Oregon Brewers Festival will celebrate its 30th annual craft beer event in downtown Portland. Currently the #1 large metro area for beer tourism, about 80,000 people are expected to visit the festival and taste some of the 84 beers from craft breweries across the country. A Specialty Tent will pour one-off kegs of rare, bold, and experimental beers from participating brewers. Festival attendees can try another 50+ rotating craft beers in the Specialty Tent throughout the duration of the festival.
In addition to a wide variety of beer styles, the event also features live music, food booths, craft vendors and homebrew demonstrations. Gates open at 11:30 am daily, and taps are open from Noon to 9 pm Wednesday through Saturday, and Noon to 7pm Sunday. Follow the festival on OregonBrewersFestival Facebook page or @OregonBrewfest on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
More events for 2017 will be added as I learn about them...
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Unless otherwise noted all pictures are by Gary Coon / Taste N Trip.
