wineries featuring such varietals as
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and harder-
to-find varietals such as Barbera, Sangiovese
and Pinot Blanc. Follow the new, 28-mile-
loop Wine Trail for a taste of this
re-emerging wine region.
Paso Robles is said to be the region
with the most potential, and wineries
here range from large commercial pro-
ducers to small boutiques making limited
quantities. Peachy Canyon, Gray Wolf,
J. Lohr and Tablas Creek are some of the
standouts along the wine trail. Looking to
meet the next great winemaker? The
Garagiste Fest in Paso Robles will intro-
duce you to the small guys with bright
futures. And if bubbles make you happy,
BubblyFest by the Sea in Pismo Beach is
one of the only festivals in the county
dedicated to sparkling wines.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Santa
Ynez Valley, Los Olivos, Temecula,
Lodi, Madera, Clarksburg
The Southern California coastal region
vineyards in Santa Barbara, Santa Rita
Hills and Santa Ynez Valley produce pri-
marily Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah,
the new emerging star. Santa Ynez Valley
became the poster child for wine tourism
when the 2004 film Sideways confirmed
its status as a Pinot Noir hot spot (or cool
spot, as Pinot grapes don't like too much
heat). But the ghosts of Sideways' Miles
and Jack are long gone and it's safe to
drink Merlot again. Fall brings the annual
Celebration of Harvest with Santa Barbara
Vintners offering free wine tasting over
Columbus Day Weekend along the wine
trails of Buellton, Foxen Canyon, Lompoc,
Los Olivos, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez
Valley, Santa Rita Hills and Solvang.
In search of the ideal town to spend the
day tasting, shopping and dining? Tiny Los
Olivos is the place. Don't miss Alta Maria's
world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay,
Tercero for Rhône varietals, and the stun-
ning Riesling at Fess Parker. But if you are
a hardcore pork and pinot lover, make
plans to be in Los Olivos in July for the
Bacon & Barrels Festival.
Zinfandel grows well in the Central
Valley, a major agricultural region that
runs down the middle of the state from
Sacramento to Bakersfield, and Lodi Zin is
the most famous and longest running fes-
tival for Zin lovers, proving Lodi is more
than just bulk wine territory. Two popular
2 0 1 5 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A 27
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WINE FESTIVALS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
NAPA
Auction Napa Valley—June 4-6
auctionnapavalley.org
Flavor! Napa Valley—Nov. 18-22
flavornapavalley.com
SONOMA
Winter WINEland—Jan. 17-18
wineroad.com/events/winter_wineland
7% Solution (Healdsburg)—May 6
bergamotalley.com/seven-solution
Taste Alexander Valley—May 16-17
tastealexandervalley.org
West of West Wine Festival—Aug. 1-2
westsonomacoast.com/west-of-west-festival
MENDOCINO
The International Alsace Varietals
Festival—Feb. 7
avwines.com/alsace-festival
Hopland Passport—May 2-3 & Oct. 17-18
destinationhopland.com/hopland-passport
Anderson Valley Pinot Fest—May 15-17
avwines.com/anderson-valley-pinot-
noir-festival
LIVERMORE
Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting
Weekend—March 21-22
lvwine.org/event/1192/Barrel_Tasting_
Weekend.html
SIERRA FOOTHILLS
Rocks & Rhônes Weekend—May 23-24
pleasantvalleywineries.com
The Barbera Fest—June 13
barberafestival.com
CENTRAL COAST
Passport Weekend—March 28-29
santaclarawines.com
Pebble Beach Food & Wine
Classic—April 9-12
pbfw.com
BUBBLYFest by the Sea
(Pismo Beach)—Oct. 2-4
bubblyfest.com
Garagiste Festival
(Paso Robles)—Nov. 5-8
garagistefestival.com
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
& CENTRAL VALLEY
Zin Fest (Lodi Lake)—May 15-17
zinfest.com
Temecula Valley Balloon and
Wine—May 29-31
tvbwf.com
Bacon & Barrels (Los Olivos)—July 17-19
baconandbarrels.com/the-event
San Diego Zoo Wine and Food—Sept. 26
sandiegozoo.org/zoo/celebration
Santa Barbara Celebration of
Harvest—Oct. 9-12
celebrationofharvest.com
