During harvest season, wine is literally in the air. Follow the scent to Napa and Sonoma, now through early October, to celebrate the season's bounty with grape stomps, parties, and as much juice as you can handle.
Festivals & Parties
Taste of Sonoma will take place on September 2nd.
(William Pruyn)
Prefer to party while others do the work? No one's judging.
Over Labor Day weekend, Taste of Sonoma will bring together the county's top winemakers, chefs, and growers for the ultimate wine-and-food celebration at Sonoma State University (1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park). Expect pours from more than 200 wineries and pairings by 60 chefs. General admission tickets start at $180 (or $150 for Visa Signature cardholders). For a little extra scratch, take part in an exclusive tasting with a sommelier or a blind-tasting challenge. //Napa Valley's oldest winery, Charles Krug(2800 Main St., St. Helena), will host its 66th annual Tastings on the Lawn on September 16th. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your appetite for an Italian-themed celebration stuffed with wood-fired pizza, pasta, and meats hand-cured in Krug's salumeria. Live music will pair perfectly with new release wines. Tickets are $90 per person; leave the kids with grandma. //For 20 years, Kendall-Jackson(5007 Fulton Rd., Fulton) has put on the Heirloom Tomato Festival. This year, KJ is shaking it up with its inaugural Harvest Celebration on Sunday, October 1st. The famous tomatoes will still make an appearance, but the day will focus more on wine and food pairings, along with educational seminars (think cheesemaking and barrelmaking), outdoor painting, and live music. Your $125 ticket will benefit the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. // Make it a weekend at the 43rd Annual Sonoma County Harvest Fair(at Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd., Santa Rosa), October 6th through 8th. Sample wines from more than 100 vintners, watch chef demonstrations, and engage in free seminars such as the popular Cheesy Beer School. The festival's main event, the World Championship Grape Stomp, attracts stompers from around the globe. Sign up with a buddy for the chance to split the $1,500 grand prize (costumes are encouraged). A three-day pass will run you $140, while a one-day tasting pass is $60.
Click through for where to stay and eat while in Wine Country...
