Page 54 - 2020 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
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
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 Food, Wine and Brew 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.
» WINE
FESTIVALS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NAPA
BottleRock—May 22-24
bottlerocknapavalley.com
Auction Napa Valley—June 4-7
auctionnapavalley.org
SONOMA
Winter WINEland—Jan. 18-19
wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland
Barrel Tasting—March 6-8 & 13-15
wineroad.com/events/barrel-tasting
A ROMANTIC WINE TASTING IN SONOMA, below.
Wine and Food Affair—Nov. 7-8
wineroad.com/events/wine-food-affair
MENDOCINO
Anderson Valley Winter White
Wine Festival—Feb. 22-23
avwines.com/winter-white-wine-festival
Anderson Valley Pinot Fest—May 15-17
avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival
CENTRAL COAST
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Classic—
April 16-19
pbfw.com
10th Annual Garagiste Festival
(Paso Robles)—Nov 13-14
californiagaragistes.com
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Zin Fest (Lodi Lake Park)—May 1-3
zinfest.com
Santa Barbara Vintners Festival—
May 2
sbvintnersweekend.com
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine and
Brew—Sept. 26
sandiegozoo.org/zoo/celebration
52 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
KERRICK JAMES