California’s wine country isn’t just about vineyards—it’s a lifestyle. From coastal tastings and sunset receptions to vineyard concerts and harvest celebrations, these 20 events offer unforgettable wine experiences across the Golden State in 2025.
1. California Wine Festival
- Dates: Santa Barbara (Jul 18–19), Carlsbad (Jun 20–21), Huntington Beach (Oct 17–18), Dana Point (Apr 2026)
- Locations: Coastal venues across Southern California
- Highlights: 500+ wines, gourmet bites, VIP sessions, live music, beachside ambience
2. Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
- Date: First weekend of June 2025
- Location: Lake Skinner Recreation Area, Temecula, CA
- Experience: Hot air balloons, wine tastings, live music, artisan food, family-friendly
3. Festival Napa Valley
- Date: July 2025 (multiple weekends)
- Location: Various Napa Valley venues
- Experience: Classical music, culinary artistry, and wine, plus the “Taste of Napa” at The Meritage
4. BottleRock Napa Valley
- Date: May 23–25, 2025
- Location: Napa Valley Expo
- Details: Music (Justin Timberlake, Green Day), food stages, local wine pairings
5. Taste of Sonoma
- Date: Jun 21, 2025
- Location: Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate
- Offerings: 100+ Sonoma wineries, chef pairings, garden atmosphere
6. North Coast Wine & Food Festival
- Date: Jun 14, 2025
- Location: Sonoma Valley
- Features: 100+ gold-medal-winning wines, regional foods
7. Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience
- Dates: May 15–18, 2025
- Location: Downtown Healdsburg
- Events: Library wine tastings, winemaker dinners, chef collaborations
8. Big West Wine Fest
- Dates: Jun 14–15, 2025
- Location: Guerneville (Sonoma Redwoods)
- Vibe: Natural wines, live music, small-batch pours
9. Taste of Mount Veeder
- Date: Aug 9, 2025 (1–4 PM)
- Location: Mount Veeder AVA
- Activities: 30+ wines, gourmet bites, charity auctions
10. Charles Krug Tasting on the Lawn
- Date: Oct 4, 2025
- Location: St. Helena
- Celebration: Harvest food pairings, vineyard tours, Italian cuisine
11. Winter Wineland
- Dates: Jan 18–19, 2025
- Location: Healdsburg area
- Specialty: Cozy seasonal pairings and vintage samplings
12. Incline Wine + Food Lake Tahoe
- Date: Sep 6, 2025
- Location: Tahoe
- Attractions: Mountain views, chef showcases, tasting flights
13. Blue Note Summer Concert Series
- Date: Aug 31, 2025
- Location: Napa & beyond
- Feature: Vineyard jazz concerts paired with fine wine
14. George de Latour Private Reserve Release
- Date: Sep 6, 2025
- Location: Beaulieu Vineyard
- Experience: Exclusive cabernet release, live music
15. Ojai Wine Festival
- Date: Spring 2025 (TBD)
- Location: Ojai Valley
- Focus: Rhône varietals, local artisan charm
16. Arts in April
- Date: Month-long, April 2025
- Location: Napa County
- Mix: Art shows, music, wine tastings
17. El Dorado County Fair Wine Competition
- Dates: June 13–16, 2025
- Location: Placerville Fairgrounds
- Theme: Wine awards, artisan food, classic fair flair
18. San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
- Date: November 2025
- Location: San Diego Bay waterfront
- Details: Seminars, spirits, cuisine, wine, charity focus
19. Laguna Niguel Sunset Rare & Reserve
- Date: Apr 2026 (teaser tasting)
- Location: Ritz-Carlton, Dana Point
- Why Go: Sunset, ocean views, reserve vintages
20. Pop‑Up Winery Events & Passport Trails
- Dates: Seasonal
- Location: Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, and others
- Format: Rotating tastings, local events, wine trails
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