Page 54 - 2019 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
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 Sideways
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 Sideways’
Miles and Jack are long gone and it’s safe to
drink Merlot again. The end of September
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
52 2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
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 varieties 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.
HARVESTING GRAPES in Napa, bottom.
» WINE
FESTIVALS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NAPA
BottleRock—May 24-26
bottlerocknapavalley.com
Auction Napa Valley—May 30-June 2
auctionnapavalley.org
SONOMA
Winter WINEland—Jan. 19-20
wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland
Barrel Tasting—March 1-3, 8-10
wineroad.com/events/barrel-tasting/
Wine and Food Affair—Nov. 2-3
wineroad.com/events/wine-food-affair/
MENDOCINO
Anderson Valley Aromatic White
Wine Festival—Feb. 23-24
avwines.com
Anderson Valley Pinot Fest—May 16-19
avwines.com/pinot.html
CENTRAL COAST
Southern Exposure Garagiste
Festival (Solvang)—Feb. 8-9
californiagaragistes.com
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Classic—
April 11-14
pbfw.com
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Zin Fest (Lodi Lake Park)—May 17-19
zinfest.com
San Diego Zoo Wine and Food—
Sept. 21
sandiegozoo.org/zoo/celebration
Santa Barbara Vintners Celebration
of Harvest—Sept. 27-30
celebrationofharvest.com
LUKASZ SZWAJ/SHUTTERSTOCK