Page 44 - 2018 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
appellation with many noteworthy wineries
such as Morgan, Mer Soleil and Hahn.
Santa Clara Valley, one of the oldest wine
regions in California, was founded by Italian
immigrants in the early 1800s and has now
grown to approximately 25 wineries.
Looking to meet the next great wine-
maker? The Southern Exposure Garagiste
Festival in Solvang will introduce you to the
small guys with bright futures. And if bub-
bles make you happy, BubblyFest by the Sea
in Pismo Beach is one of the only festivals
in the country dedicated to sparkling wines.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA &
CENTRAL VALLEY
Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Santa
Ynez Valley, Los Olivos, Temecula,
Lodi, Madera, Clarksburg
The Southern California coastal region
vineyards in Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills
and Santa Ynez Valley produce primarily
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Santa
Ynez Valley became the poster child for
wine tourism when the 2004 film Side-
ways confirmed its status as a Pinot Noir
hot spot (or cool spot, as Pinot grapes don’t
like too much heat). But the ghosts of Side-
ways’ Miles and Jack are long gone and it’s
42 2018 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A
safe to drink Merlot again. The end of Sep-
tember brings the annual Celebration of
Harvest, four days of wine and culinary
experiences in Santa Barbara Wine
Country.
In the Central Valley, Lodi Zin Fest is the
most famous and longest running festival
for Zinfandel lovers. Lodi’s star is on the
rise, and it’s now recognized as one of the
top wine regions in the new world, a hotbed
of production growing more than 100 vari-
eties in addition to its legendary Zin.
Vineyards inland in Southern Cali-
fornia’s mostly hot and arid region are
gaining notice, and Temecula in particular
is generating an ardent following for its
wines and sheer determination to grow
grapes in a challenging location.
San Diego usually means sun and sand,
but just an hour north you’ll find there’s
wine too. Animal lovers will enjoy the San
Diego Zoo Wine and Food Festival where
you can stroll the grounds and sip wine in
the midst of the wild kingdom.
California wine festivals and events fill
the calendar all year long, like a roulette
wheel of juicy prospects. Whether you plan
ahead, or spin the big wine wheel and see
where it lands, the odds are delicious.
SONOMA WINE COUNTRY, bottom.
» WINE
FESTIVALS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NAPA
BottleRock—May 25-27
bottlerocknapavalley.com
Auction Napa Valley—May 31-June 3
auctionnapavalley.org
SONOMA
Winter WINEland—January 13-14
wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland
Barrel Tasting—March 2-4, March 9-11
wineroad.com/events/barrel-tasting/
Wine and Food Affair—Nov. 3-4
wineroad.com/events/wine-food-affair/
MENDOCINO
Anderson Valley Aromatic White
Wine Festival—Feb. 24-25
avwines.com
Anderson Valley Pinot Fest—May 18-20
avwines.com/pinot.html
CENTRAL COAST
Southern Exposure Garagiste
Festival (Solvang)—Feb. 9-11
californiagaragistes.com
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Classic—
April 5-8
pbfw.com
BubblyFest by the Sea
(Pismo Beach)—Oct.
Check website for dates
bubblyfest.com
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Zin Fest (Lodi Lake Park)—May 18-20
zinfest.com
San Diego Zoo Wine and Food—
Sept. 22
sandiegozoo.org/zoo/celebration
Santa Barbara Vintners Celebration
of Harvest—Sept. 28-Oct. 1
celebrationofharvest.com
SEEMONTEREY.COM