Page 42 - 2022-2023 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
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 Row x Row
is a famous and long-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 Celebration
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
CYCLING AMONG THE VINES, Paso Robles, below.; main entrance Pechanga Resort Casino, opposite.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NAPA
BottleRock—May 27-29
bottlerocknapavalley.com
Auction Napa Valley—June 1-5
auctionnapavalley.org
SONOMA
Winter Wineland—Jan. 14-15, 2023
wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland
Barrel Tasting—March 3-6
wineroad.com/events/barrel-tasting
Wine and Food Affair—Nov. 5-6
wineroad.com/events/wine-food-affair
MENDOCINO
Anderson Valley Winter White
Wine Festival—Feb. 18-19, 2023
avwines.com/winter-white-wine-festival
Anderson Valley Pinot Fest—May 20-22
avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival
CENTRAL COAST
Winemakers' Celebration, Carmel-
by-the-Sea—May 7
carmelcalifornia.com/event-28th-
winemakers-celebration_140.htm
Garagiste Wine Festival
(Paso Robles)—Nov 11-12
garagistefestival.com
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Lodi Row x Row (Lodi Lake Park)—
May 19-20, 2023
lodirowxrow.com
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine and
Brew—Sept. 17
zoofoodandwine.com
Santa Barbara Vintners Festival—
October 8
sbvintnersweekend.com
40 2022-23 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
JAY SINCLAIR. OPPOSITE: PECHANGA RESORT CASINO