5 Reasons Winter is a Great Time to Visit California Wine Country

There’s something magical about visiting California wine country in the winter. The weather is mild, the pace is more relaxed and wineries throughout the state offer seasonal experiences and activities to chase away the chill. It’s also a great time of year to take advantage of low-season hotel rates and special discounts. Here are five reasons to visit California’s diverse and distinctive wine regions this winter.

1. Discounts and Deals Abound
During the winter months, many accommodations offer significant discounts. For example, the Paso Robles Inn’s “Winter Winderland” promotion takes up to 25% off standard rates through March 31. The Lodge at Sonoma’s “Winter Wanderlust Offer” features discounts on nightly rates through March 31. The Genevieve’s “Winter in Wine Country” package offers Santa Ynez Valley visitors 20% off through March 20.

In Napa Valley, the Winter in the Wineries Passport includes complimentary wine tastings through Feb. 9 at 19 Calistoga wineries, as well as discounts on lodging, dining, retail and spa experiences.

2. The Pace is More Relaxed
Winter is the most laid-back season in California, which gives visitors a chance to slow down and enjoy each other’s company over a glass of Golden State wine. With fewer visitors in town, the crowds are smaller, the pace is relaxed and winery visitors are encouraged to linger. This time of year, with the vines in dormancy and wines resting in tanks and barrels, you’re more likely to meet winemakers and winery owners when visiting local tasting rooms. It’s also easier in the winter to snag a table at many of the region’s most sought-after restaurants.

3. It’s Time for Winter Wine Festivals
Some of California’s best wine and food events happen in the winter months.

Seafood & Sips Mendocino (Jan. 24-Feb. 2) includes the Mendocino Sparkling Wine & Oyster Celebration, family-style crab feeds and a crab cake cookoff and wine competition. The Zinfandel Experience (Jan. 30-Feb. 1) is a three-day wine and food fest in Napa Valley that presents wine seminars, a winemaker dinner and auction and a tasting of California’s distinctive Zinfandel wines. The Temecula Valley Barrel Tasting Event (Feb. 1-2) offers a self-guided tour to sample barrel wine samples and current releases, all paired with food.

Sweet treats take the spotlight at the Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend (Feb. 15-16), which features a self-guided tour of local wineries with chocolate pairings. This year’s International White Wine Festival in the Anderson Valley (Feb. 15-16) highlights wines from 40 Northern California and international producers through seminars, a grand tasting and winery open-house events. Paso Robles winemakers show off their blending expertise at BlendFest on the Coast in San Simeon and Cambria (Feb. 20-23). The festival features winemaker dinners, coastal excursions and a blending seminar. Enjoy special tastings at the Santa Cruz Mountains Passport Celebration Day (Feb. 22), when 30 participating wineries throughout the region open their doors to visitors.

5. Wine Country is Blooming
Starting in February, the North Coast and valleys are filled with bright yellow mustard flowers, creating Instagram-worthy photo opportunities at every turn. Winter is also a great time across the state to spot sheep grazing between the vine rows — a natural weeding method used by many of California’s certified sustainable wineries.

6. Wineries Offer Winter-Friendly Activities
Dozens of California wineries offer immersive activities and events throughout the winter season, including cave tours, food and wine pairings, tasting workshops and more.

Here are just a few of the current offerings:

• The Cave & Barrel Tasting Experience at Wente Vineyards in Livermore Valley invites visitors on a journey through the winery’s historic sandstone caverns.
• Every Friday through April, Long Meadow Ranch in Napa Valley hosts a Winter Farmers Market featuring organic produce, beef, honey and other farm-grown items. After the market, stick around for a wine tasting.
• The Aromatic Tasting at Austin Hope & Treana Tasting Cellar in Paso Robles helps tasters deepen their awareness of flavors and aromas in wine.
• Harney Lane Winery in Lodi offers a casual and fun Sips + Chips Tasting, pairing a flight of wines with potato chips and other crispy snacks.

With so much going on this season, there’s no better time to visit California wine country. Check out more winter experiences and events around the state.