Every savvy traveler knows you can save money by visiting destinations in the off season. This is certainly true in California’s wine countries. In addition to the reasons listed below, the winter weather in the state’s wine regions is quite pleasant with days sunny and high temperatures generally in the 60s. There’s none of those icy roads and frigid temperatures that stifle activity in many other parts of the country.
The wildfires and mudslides, while both tragic and devastating, have not affected any of the California wine regions, which include but are certainly not limited to Napa Valley, Sonoma, Monterey County, Paso Robles and Temecula.
Winter Travel Deals In California’s Wine Regions
During the winter months, many accommodations offer significant discounts. For example, the Paso Robles Inn’s “Winter Winederland” 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.
Winter Is A Good Time To Meet The Wine Makers
WhileCalifornia is pretty much laid back the whole year, the pace does slow down in the wine country. This is because there are fewer people at the wineries and tasting rooms and those who are there are encouraged to linger. Plus, with the vines in dormancy and wines resting in tanks and barrels, you’re more likely to meet winemakers and winery owners. It’s also easier in the winter to snag a table at many of the region’s most sought-after restaurants.
California Winter Wine Festivals
Some of California’s best wine and food events happen in the winter months.
Seafood & Sips Mendocino (Jan. 28-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.
California Wineries Winter 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 a few of the them:
- The Cave & Barrel Tasting Experience at Wente Vineyards in Livermore Valley is 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.
These suggestions and events were brought to PubClub.com by the California Wine Institute, which can be found at DiscoverCaliforniaWines.com.
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