For wine lovers (unlike, say, summer vacationers) fall is a time of beginnings, not endings. That’s because starting in late August and early September, the grape harvest begins, and winemakers around the world begin making new vintages from freshly ripened grapes.
Fall also marks the start of the wine festival season, which starts in earnest in the coming weeks and stretches late into October and early November. The festivals celebrate the new harvests with tastings, food and a myriad of other events.
While two-thirds of the wine produced in the U.S. is made in California, you don’t need to be a west coast dweller to enjoy the pleasures of a wine festival. From Virginia to New York to Oregon, you’ll find plenty of events dedicated to that oldest (and arguably tastiest) of beverages.
We’ve surveyed the landscape to give you the best of the bunch.
Napa Valley Harvest Festival (September 6)
California’s most famous wine area kicks off the season with its own harvest wine festival on Saturday afternoon in the heart of Napa. A host of the area’s best wineries, microbreweries and restaurants will be on hand to present the best of the new season. The $50 entrance fee gives you unlimited tastings. Visit the Kiwanis Club of Napa Web site for tickets and information.
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest (September 6 and 7, Rhinebeck, NY)
New York wine has come a long way over the last 20 years, and this annual festival proves it. Hundreds of local vintners present the best of their wares over a weekend packed with events including wine-tasting seminars, cooking demonstrations and plenty of live entertainment. Single day and weekend tasting tickets are available ($25 and $45). Visit the festival Web site for directions and more info.
Lake Chelan Crush Festival (first and second weekends of October, Lake Chelan, WA)
Nestled in the beautiful hills and valleys of the namesake lake, this two-weekend festival celebrates another area with a growing reputation for excellent wines. More than a dozen local wineries open their doors for tours and tastings. Activities include an old-fashion grape stomp. For more, visit the festival Web site.
Monterey Wine Festival (October 18; Monterey Fairgrounds, Calif.)
This year marks the 32nd running of one of California’s biggest and best-known wine fairs, which regularly draws 3,000 people and 600 wineries from all over the state and a few from beyond. It can be hectic navigating the crowds and tasting tables, but remains a great opportunity to sample a wide variety of wines. For more information, go here.
Northwest Food and Wine Festival (November 15, Portland, OR)
A showcase of the best in the Northwest’s wines, this festival, in its third year, will present more than 600 wines and 50 restaurants, many or which join up to offer food and wine pairings. For more, visit the site.
Cheers!
