Understandably, most of the events for the 2020 California Wine Month celebration – held annually in September – have been moved online. There’s a list full of virtual tastings, cooking classes, pairing workshops, and even a kit you can order for your own backyard grape-stomping event.
However, if you aren’t charmed by the idea of swirling your Cabernet in front of a screen in your living room, a few wineries are still hosting in-person affairs to toast the season. Reservations and some planning are required, but getting tickets in advance is easy, and if you’ll let us, we’re happy to handle all the other logistics around transportation and timing. Read on for a variety of options that will keep your wine tasting in the Valley:
Raymond Vineyards
WINEMAKER FOR A DAY POP UP
- September 1st through 30th (except Tuesdays)
- Reservations Only
- $125 per person
“Live the dream of being a winemaker for a day in Napa Valley! Raymond Vineyards has created a pop-up experience outdoors under the canopy of their Generations Cellar. You’ll learn the winemaker’s art while blending your own Napa Valley Bordeaux-style red. After crafting your wine, you’ll move to bottling – cork, foil, and dress it with your custom label and take it with you that day. You will also have the opportunity to order cases of your wine to share with friends and family.”
CALIFORNIA WINE MONTH TASTING FLIGHT
- September 1st through 30th
- 10 AM to 4 PM daily, by reservation
- $35 per person
“The ‘Cabernet Sauvignon only’ flight showcases five distinct bottlings from the Raymond Vineyards portfolio. You will be able to compare wines from four different districts in the valley, enabling you to see, smell and taste the effects of terroir. The tasting finishes with Generations, their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. The name honors the five generations of family winemaking that is the heritage at Raymond Vineyards, with these wines being the best expressions of the vintage. Your tasting will be outside, under the shade of the vineyard Sycamore trees.”
ADDRESS: 849 Zinfandel Lane, St. Helena, CA
RESERVATIONS: (707) 963-3141, customerservice@raymondvineyards.com, or on their website.
Alexander Valley Vineyards
SATURDAY TO REMEMBER: PIZZA, WINE & HARVEST
- Saturday, September 12th and Saturday, September 26th
- 11 AM to 4:30 PM
- $40 ESTATE tasting with pizza for 2 people
- $60 RESERVE tasting with pizza for 2 people
- Reservations required, 1.5 hour allotment per reservation
- Seatings at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM
- Minimum 2 guests and maximum 6 guests per table
“Experience wine country like a local – surrounded by vineyards, barrels and harvest – all while enjoying four selections of Alexander Valley Vineyards’ award winning wines paired with pizza fresh from the wood-fired oven. Make your pizza selection upon arrival: Traditional Salumi, Margherita or Estate Garden.”
ADDRESS: 8644 Highway 128, Healdsburg, CA
RESERVATIONS: (707) 433-7209, tr@avvwine.com or on their website.
Wolfe Heights Estates
AN ITALIAN MIMOSA SUNDAY AT WOLFE HEIGHTS ESTATES
- Sunday, September 27th
- 10 AM to 1 PM
- $39 per person
- Advanced tickets required, must purchase tickets for entire group in one transaction to guarantee seats together
- Family-friendly, food, live music, pets welcome
“Mimosa Sunday, COVID-style! Bring your family and friends to enjoy live music, Italian-inspired breakfast lasagna and of course, bottomless mimosas. This event will likely sell out, so get your tickets as soon as possible. Outdoor seating, full plated brunch, live music and a mimosa bar with assorted juices and fruits. CDC guidelines require masks to be worn upon entry, and social distancing protocols will be in effect.”
ADDRESS: 9440 Bar Du Lane, Sacramento, CA
RESERVATIONS: You can get tickets via their official Eventbrite listing, or for additional requests or questions email info@wolfeheights.com.
Clif Family Tasting Room
CLIF FAMILY STREET FOOD NAPA VALLEY: EVERY WEDNESDAY
- September 9th – OAXACAN
- September 16th – JAPANESE
- September 23rd – MOROCCAN
- September 30th – BAO
- 11 AM to 6:30 PM, with patio dining until 4 PM
- Menu and wine à la carte
“Patio tables are first come, first served. Pre-orders are accepted, with food available until sold out. Themed menu items and wine orders for each event are available from 11 AM to 6:30 PM for curbside pickup, and until 4 PM for patio dining. All orders must be placed by phone, online or in-person at our food truck, and paid for in advance. Online order pick up is outside of the Clif Family Kitchen at 1284 Vidovich Avenue, or if ordering from the truck, will be brought out for patio pick up.”
CONTACT: (707) 301-7188 or order online.
TASTE & TOAST! A CLIF FAMILY HARVEST CELEBRATION
- Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th
- 10 AM to 4 PM
- $50 per person, reservations required
- Family-friendly, food, pets welcome
“Taste & Toast! brings wine, food and farming together at the Clif Family’s downtown St. Helena tasting room and food truck in the heart of Napa Valley. Join them on Saturday, September 26th and Sunday September 27th as they celebrate the harvest season. Reserve your seat on the patio for a seasonal tasting flight featuring their newest release: 2017 Kit’s Killer Cabernet Sauvignon from their certified organic Estate Vineyards on Howell Mountain. Order lunch during your visit from The Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck. Fueled by seasonal ingredients from their certified organic farm, Executive Chef John McConnell will curate a special farm-to-table menu embracing the harvest bounty. Don’t miss out on the special Fall bruschette, rotisserie chicken, farm fresh salads and seasonal sides.”
ADDRESS: 709 Main St, St. Helena, CA
RESERVATIONS: (707) 968-0625 or by emailing wineryexperience@cliffamily.com.
