SEPTEMBER IS SPARKLING: Try and name all of the iconic orbs of autumn, those globular goodies that capture our fancies and tempt our taste buds, and you’ll likely find yourself in a bit of a pickle when it comes to completing the long list. There’s the apple, of course, and the pumpkin, a seedy and spooky favorite that shows up in late summer. But let’s raise a glass of something fizzy to the grape, that most excellent orb, and all of the vineyards around the Golden State that create the libations that wine lovers do love. September is California Wine Month, and wineries from Napa to Temecula will be reveling in all sorts of ways, all to pay flavorful homage to the grape, an autumn orb that makes every glass of wine something to remember.
GRAPE STOMPS… are some of the eye-catching-est events on the 2025 schedule — after all, it isn’t every day that we’re invited to step into a juicy barrel with our tootsies on full display — as are harvest-themed happenings, like in-depth tours and talks. Some highlights include the Wine Road Harvest Wine Trail in Sonoma County, when around 30 wineries will “welcome guests for harvest tastings and festivities” on Sept. 13, and “Pours & S’mores” in Paso Robles, which will be all about winding down each Friday while sipping a wine flight. And the famous Lodi Grape Festival? That’s landing near the middle of the month, from Sept. 11-14.
DOZENS AND DOZENS OF DELIGHTS: Peruse all of the pinot-tastic, cab-cool meet-ups, walk-arounds, and stomps at the California Wine Institute site, then plot how you’ll connect with one of autumn’s most iconic orbs, the glorious grape.
Dining and Cooking