Page 42 - 2023-2024 Travel Guide to California

WINE COUNTRY
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 Zin-
fandel lovers. Lodi is 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 Celebra-
tion 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
A ROMANTIC WINE TASTING IN SONOMA, below.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
NAPA
BottleRock—May 26-28
bottlerocknapavalley.com
Barrel Auction Napa Valley—June 2-3
collectivenapavalley.org/events
SONOMA
Winter Wineland—Jan. 14-15
wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland
Barrel Tasting—March 3-5
wineroad.com/events/
barrel-tasting-weekends
Wine and Food Affair—Nov. 4-5
wineroad.com/events/wine-food-affair
MENDOCINO
Anderson Valley Winter White
Wine Weekend—Feb. 18-19
avwines.com/winter-white-wine-weekend
Anderson Valley Pinot Fest—May 19-21
avwines.com/pinot-noir-festival
CENTRAL COAST
Winemakers' Celebration, Carmel-
by-the-Sea—May 6
seemonterey.com/events/food-
wine/winemakers
Garagiste Wine Festival
(Paso Robles)—Nov 11-13
garagistefestival.com/paso-robles
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
El Dorado Hills Art, Beer & Wine
Festival—May 13-14
eldoradohillsartfestival.org
Lodi Row x Row (Lodi Lake Park)—
May 19-20
lodirowxrow.com
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine and
Brew—Sept. 23
zoofoodandwine.com
40 2023-24 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
KERRICK JAMES. OPPOSITE: PECHANGA RESORT CASINO