Let’s get this Beaujolais Nouveau soirée started. The yearly November celebration of France’s Beaujolais Nouveau wine is observed throughout France and many places in the world. Celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau is especially popular with the San Francisco Bay Area Alliance Française organizations. They use it as a perfect excuse to toast the French language, culture and camaraderie over a glass of red Beaujolais Nouveau.
France’s Gamey grape harvest is part of the French tradition of vin de primeur, or the early wines that are released the same year as they are harvested. In 1985, the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine established the third Thursday of November as a uniform release date which started the tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau. The wine has improved over the years because of international promotion and the result is a variety of celebratory events including parties in bars and restaurants, family and friend get togethers and special events with organizations such as Alliance Française.
France’s official Beaujolais Nouveau celebration this year is Thursday, November 20. The Alliance Française organizations in the San Francisco area are planning a variety of events.
Alliance Francaise de San Francisco
La Fête des Vins: du Beaujolais au Bordeaux
Date: November 14, 2025
The Beaujolais party starts with the Alliance Française San Francisco (AFSF) La Fête des Vins that is offering an evening of fine French wines, including Beaujolais Nouveau, along with gourmet food parings. There will also be live music from a couple of local bands.
Beaujolais wines served will include Beaujolais Village and Morgan Cru du Beaujolais “Grands Gras” from Domaine Jean Michel Dupré. Bordeaux wines will include Cabernet/Merlot blends and other Bordeaux whites and reds.
According to Cindy Beziat, Community and Events Manager at AFSF, it can be important to focus on a variety of French wines beyond Beaujolais Nouveau.
“AFSF is about French culture, language, and bringing people together around Francophone traditions,” Beziat said. “Wine and conviviality are key parts of French culture . . . so focusing only on Beaujolais Nouveau would miss the richness of French wine culture and likely reduce the event’s appeal and educational value. The broader focus fits Alliance’s mission to promote French culture in all its facets.”
Alliance Française Silicon Valley
Special Discount on Beaujolais Nouveau
The Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AFSCV) focus is for its members to have access to good Beaujolais Nouveau wine in time for the November 20 official celebration. They have partnered with Quintessential which is offering a 10% discount on Georges Duboeuf wine including 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau and Beaujolais Rosé Nouveau. Early pre-ordering will insure the wine will arrive prior to November 20th. Buyers can also enter a sweepstakes to win a wine cooler.
“This year, new customs regulations and tariffs have affected wine imports, and many of our members were concerned they might miss Beaujolais Nouveau Day,” said Mariam Rubalcava, AFSCV Marketing and Development Manager. “That’s why we partnered with Quintessential to make Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 available to our community just in time for Beaujolais Nouveau Day and Thanksgiving. Many French expatriates and Americans alike enjoy serving it as part of their Thanksgiving celebrations.”
Alliance Française de Santa Rosa
Beaujolais Nouveau Party
Date: November 21, 2025
The Sonoma wine country above San Francisco is celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau. The Alliance Française Santa Rosa will be hosting an event at Notre Vue Estate which will include tasting a French Beaujolais Nouveau and a Beaujolais Nouveau from Notre Vue. The party will include hors d’oeuvres and plenty of discussions about the wines, probably in French.
“Even though Santa Rosa is in California’s famous wine country, there’s something special about honoring French traditions right here at home,” said Laura Whiting, Vice President of the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa – Sonoma Wine Country. “Every November, in villages across France, people raise a glass to Beaujolais Nouveau — the first wine of the harvest — and share in the joy, laughter, and community that come with it. At the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa, we’re bringing that same spirit to Sonoma County. Our Beaujolais Nouveau celebration is a chance to taste fresh French-inspired wines, connect with fellow Francophiles, and celebrate the artistry of winemaking — French style meets Sonoma style.”
Many wine stores in the San Francisco area will have the 2025 harvest of Beaujolais Nouveau available by November 20. It can be purchased at K&L Wine Merchants, Beverages and More, Mollie Stone’s, Bottle Barn, Draeger’s and Wine Impressions. Many of these stores will include wine tastings on November 20.
Happy soirée for the 2025 harvest of Beaujolais Nouveau. It’s a celebration that blends community, culture and wine as we all toast new beginnings.
Lead photo credit : Shutterstock
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