Cheers to California Wine Month this September

September is the time when California's winegrape harvest is in full swing. Visitors can experience the excitement of harvest during California Wine Month in September with more than 50 winery events and immersion experiencesfrom wine festivals and winemaking classes to winemaker dinners, VIP tastings and tours happening around the state.

This September marks the 12th annual California Wine Month, created by Wine Institute to honor America's top wine-producing state. "The celebration recognizes the contributions of vintners and growers to our state economy, culture and lifestyle," said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, president and CEO of Wine Institute. "With an economic contribution of $57.6 billion annually to the state economy and $114.1 billion annually to the U.S. economy, California wine is an important economic engine for our state and our nation. Our scenic wine regions draw visitors worldwide to enjoy California's great wine, cuisine and attractions."

Here's a complete listing by region of all the events. Visit discovercaliforniawines.com to view events by date and order a map of California wine regions and their 138 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). For great California wine and food road trip ideas click here. Event highlights include:

North Coast

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, Sept. 2-4

Mendocino's Annual Winesong Charity Auction & Tasting, Sept. 9-10

Lake County Wine Auction, Sept.17

2016 Sonoma Valley Crush,Sept. 16-18

Calistoga Wine Experience,Sept. 10

Inland Valleys

Madera Wine Trail's California Wine Month Celebration, Sept. 16

Lodi Grape Festival, Sept. 15-18

San Francisco Bay Area & Santa Cruz Mountains

Livermore Valley's 35th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration,Sept. 4-5

Capitola Art and Wine Festival, Sept. 10-11

Gourmet Grazing on the Green, Sept. 24

Los Gatos Fall Wine Walk, Sept. 10.

South Central Coast

Taste of the Town Santa Barbara, Sept. 11

Solvang's Third Wednesday Wine and Beer Walk, Sept. 21

Highway 46 West Harvest Block Party, Templeton, Sept. 3

Sierra Foothills

Sample the Sierra, Sept. 17

31st Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival, Sept. 9-11

Southern California

The Los Angeles Times' The Taste, Sept. 2-4.

Temecula CRUSH ~ A Wine & Culinary Showcase, Sept. 19.

California Wine Month Partners

California Wine Month is supported by restaurant, retail, hotel, media and association partners in California, throughout the U.S. and internationally including:

National: Safeway, California Pizza Kitchen, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Ocean Prime, Tavistock Restaurants

California: Albertsons, California Restaurant Association, Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar, Farmhouse Inn, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant, Flatiron Wines & Spirits, Giordano Bros., Inn on Randolph, Pavilions, San Francisco Wine School, Visit California, Vallarta Supermarkets, Von's

Georgia: Savannah Wine Cellar

Montana: Mackenzie River Pizza Co., Montana Retail Association, Montana Restaurant Association

International: Beckford Bottle Shop, Borough Wines London, Grape & Grind, Lea & Sandeman, Lewis & Cooper, Loki Wine Merchant & Tasting House, South Downs Cellars, Stannary St. Wine Co., WoodWinters Wines and Whiskies

Visit www.discovercaliforniawines.com for information on wine regions, wines and winery amenities to plan a trip to California wine country. Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses with the mission to initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine. See: www.wineinstitute.org.

SOURCE Wine Institute

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