From the Atlantic to the Pacific, summer and fall are prime times to get out and celebrate wine. Make a few trips to wine country, including one you don’t already know. Watch a wine judging competition. Participate in a wine seminar. Take a ride at dawn in a hot air balloon. Here are our best picks for the season.
East of the Rocky Mountains, Loudoun County’s Epicurience Virginia (Friday, August 29–Monday, September 1) is an epic event where you can discover Virginia’s award winning wines and noteworthy cuisine. Top winemakers and chefs from the region and beyond will be there. In the Midwest, Traverse City wine country hosts the annual Paella in the Park, where all the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula pour their wines paired with paella from local restaurants on the town’s waterfront (August 15), and the annual Harvest Stompede, a walk/run designed for both serious and recreational participants on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail (September 6–7).
West of the Rockies, The LA County Fair (Friday, August 29–September 30) has an extensive wine education program with classes, tastings, and the winning wines from the 75th annual Los Angeles International Wine Competition. The options are endless. Also in California, at the southern foot of Yosemite National Park, you can discover new wines and get some holiday gift shopping done at the Madera Wine Trail’s Holiday Spirit Weekend (November 8–9). Prefer to immerse yourself in luxury and let someone bring the wine experience to you? Check into a Meritage Collection resort in Napa Valley, Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, and San Diego or follow our four-destination itinerary and completely unwind as you explore California wine country.
Or head for Europe! Treat yourself to an exciting 7-night French River Wine Cruise through the Burgundy region of France (November 2–9).
When it comes to wine touring this season, your options are endless.