ExperiencesDining

Taste of Harvest-Sip Into Fall

  • Sep 22, 2022
  • By Vineyard Vixen

Fall is absolutely the best time to visit wine country. From September through November, you will be dazzled with autumn foliage, smaller crowds, winemaking excitement, fall releases, harvest parties, and fall festivals galore!

In California’s Napa and Sonoma wine regions, the mornings are crisp and give way to very warm (even HOT) afternoons providing for a prolonged summer perfect for vineyard hikes and relaxing poolside with a chilled chardonnay. Up north in Oregon and Washington fall tends to come on quickly with shorter sunny days where a light sweater might be the best choice for exploring tasting rooms and taking in the fall foliage before sipping a glass of wine by a cozy outdoor firepit in the early evening. 

In most regions by mid-October the harvest craziness is wrapping up and the crowds simmer down allowing tasting room staff to provide a much better experience.  Hands down, the best tasting experiences I have ever had have been in the late fall months. From undivided attention from the winery host, bonus library wine tasting, and even an impromptu lunch with the winemaking team.

While you might not get a surprise lunch during your visit, there are plenty of special events happening to celebrate the flavors of the season. Harvest and fall release parties are a wonderful way to experience fall in wine country. Wineries are happy to toast the end (or near end) of harvest madness by showcasing new releases with exquisite food pairings, music and more. Some regions put on "passport" events that allow you to purchase one ticket and get access to dozens of participating tasting rooms that can offer complimentary tastings and other specials. Amador Vintners' is hosting their Big Crush annual passport event October 7th - 9th and tickets are going fast!

 Take a trip to the Marin coast with Bogle Vineyards and Hog Island Oysters. Partake in Pinot and Paella at Montagne Russe. Oktoberfest with Patterson Cellars in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA.  Kick back at the Fall Open House at Mazzocco Sonoma.  These events and more are happening in wine country this fall.

Up in the Pacific Northwest I like to usher in fall with friends and family by hosting a Dungeness crab boil paired with two of myfavorite fall wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. September 30th marks the end of the crab season in the region and the weather is still gorgeous making mid-late September a wonderful time for this fall fete. Need a little inspiration for fall entertaining?  Check out the recipe for Vineyard Vixen’s Spicy Roast Crab which pairs beautifully with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.  Gather with your friends and loved ones and toast to the bounty of the harvest season.

Cheers & happy fall to all,

The Vineyard Vixen

 


Fantastic Fall Events

Fair Play Harvest Festival 2022

Fair Play Winery Association

Fair Play Harvest Festival 2022

Somerset, CA

Saturday, November 5, 2022, 11:00 AM

Boxwood's 2022 Harvest Tour

Boxwood Estate Winery

Boxwood's 2022 Harvest Tour

Middleburg, VA

Saturday, September 24, 2022, 11:30 AM

Saracina Vineyards Fall Release Party

Saracina Vineyards

Saracina Vineyards Fall Release Party

Hopland, CA

Saturday, September 24, 2022, 1:00 PM

Wine Maker Social

Golden Leaves Vineyard & Winery

Wine Maker Social

Somerset, CA

Saturday, September 24, 2022, 4:00 PM

Private Turley Wine Pairing

The Copper Room at Hotel Sutter

Private Turley Wine Pairing

Sutter Creek, CA

Sunday, September 25, 2022, 5:00 PM

Succulent Pumpkin Class

Wise Villa Winery

Succulent Pumpkin Class

Lincoln, CA

Thursday, September 29, 2022, 4:00 PM

2022 Chieftain Red & Black Gala- Friday 9/30

Vezer Family Vineyard

2022 Chieftain Red & Black Gala- Friday 9/30

Fairfield, CA

Friday, September 30, 2022, 6:00 PM

Fall 2022 Willow Creek Distillery Spirits Club Pick Up Party

Willow Creek Distillery

Fall 2022 Willow Creek Distillery Spirits Club Pick Up Party

Paso Robles, CA

Friday, September 30, 2022, 5:00 PM

Leavenworth Bus Trip - Oktoberfest

Patterson Cellars

Leavenworth Bus Trip - Oktoberfest

Leavenworth, WA

Saturday, October 1, 2022, 9:00 AM

Virtual Tasting Happy Hour with Opolo! October 7th | 3:00PST

Opolo Vineyards

Virtual Tasting Happy Hour with Opolo! October 7th | 3:00PST

Paso Robles, CA

Friday, October 7, 2022, 3:00 PM

Big Crush 2022

Amador Vintners

Big Crush 2022

Plymouth, CA

Friday, October 7, 2022, 11:00 AM

PROFILE COLLECTION: HARVEST BRUNCH & RELEASE PARTY

Merryvale Vineyards

PROFILE COLLECTION: HARVEST BRUNCH & RELEASE PARTY

St. Helena, CA

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 AM

Oktoberfest

Schug Winery

Oktoberfest

Sonoma, CA

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 AM

Fall Open House | Sat, Oct 8

Mazzocco Sonoma

Fall Open House | Sat, Oct 8

Healdsburg, CA

Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 AM

Fall '22 Club Pickup Party

Montagne Russe

Fall '22 Club Pickup Party

Healdsburg, CA

Sunday, October 23, 2022, 11:00 AM

Hog Island Oyster Adventure 11-16

Bogle Family Vineyards

Hog Island Oyster Adventure 11-16

Marshall, CA

Wednesday, November 16, 2022, 11:00 AM

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