Cheers to California Wine Month - a celebration of the state’s 250-year winemaking history, the annual harvest season and the innovative spirit of California’s wine community. Throughout September, wineries across the state will host harvest parties, wine and food festivals, special tastings, grape stomps, behind-the-scenes tours and more.
California Wine Month is an especially great time to get out and explore. Our almost 6,000 winegrape growers produce more than 100 varieties throughout the state. Plan your visit to wine country and explore the beautiful views, wineries, restaurants and attractions throughout the Golden State.
To kick off the festivities, here are six reasons to raise a glass of California wine this September.
1. Sharing Wine Creates Connection – Gathering around a table with friends to share a bottle of California wine cultivates a sense of togetherness and community. Play board games while you sip or simply hang out and connect. Need some great music to enhance the vibe? Check out California Grown’s “California Wine Nights” playlist on Spotify.
2. It’s Sustainable – California is a world leader in sustainable farming practices. The vast majority of the state’s wine — 80% — is made by wineries certified under the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance’s Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) program. Likewise, more than 60% of statewide winegrape acreage is certified under CCSW or to other California sustainability programs such as Fish Friendly Farming, LODI RULES, Napa Green and Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified.
3. It’s Fun to Buy at the Source – California hosts more than 4,800 wineries across the state, and with many tasting rooms open to the public, it’s easy to try before you buy. Bonus: Wineries often sell tasting-room-only wines that can’t be purchased anywhere else, and during California Wine Month, visitors can join in an array of fun, harvest-themed events and activities.
4. There’s a Wine for Everyone – Home to diverse soils, microclimates and topography, California grows more than 100 different grape varieties. That means there’s a California wine for every palate, whether you lean toward crisp and refreshing styles or prefer rich and robust wines.
5. It’s Made for Food – Just as California leads the nation in wine production, it is also the source of much of the county’s fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, California wines pair with everything from Sonoma Coast oysters to Santa Maria tri-tip. For recipes, grab a free copy of the “Iconic California Dishes to Celebrate California Wine Month” e-book. Sign up for Visit California’s weekly travel inspiration e-newsletter starting on Aug. 20 to get yours.
6. It Supports Local Farmers – Most of the wine produced in the United States comes from California, which is home to more than 620,000 acres of vineyards. When you choose California wine, your purchase supports thousands of farmers across the state.
Visit Discover California Wines to see the full calendar of California Wine Month events and activities, including onsite tastings, virtual tastings, tours, festivals, farm-to-table harvest dinners, special offers and more.
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