Cheers To The 10th Annual California Wine Month: September 2014

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- September is California Wine Month: an exciting time of year for wine lovers! With the grapes ready for harvest, the aroma of fermentation filling the air and nearly 100 great wine events to choose from, there's never been a better time to visit California's wine regions.

During California Wine Month wineries and festivals across the state will extend a warm California welcome to wine-loving consumers, who can mingle with their favorite winemakers and get in on the harvest action themselves.  Whether you're a novice or an expert, California's diverse winegrowing regions -- encompassing more than 122 unique viticultural areas -- offer plenty of ways to explore wine, from picking and crushing grapes to festivals, events, VIP tours, tastings and concerts.  

This September marks the 10^th consecutive year that California's Governor has proclaimed September California Wine Month.  "We appreciate the recognition of the wine industry's contributions to our state's economy, culture and lifestyle by Governor Brown," said Robert P. (Bobby) Koch, President and CEO of Wine Institute, which created California Wine Month a decade ago.  "As the leading wine and food destination in the U.S., we look forward to sharing California's excellent wines and innovative cuisine with both our neighbors at home and visitors from around the world."

For a complete regional listing of the nearly 100 California winery events beginning Labor Day weekend, click here.  Some of the exciting events include:

North Coast: Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and Auction (Aug, 29-31), Mendocino's 30th Annual Winesong 2014 Charity Auction & Tasting (Sept. 5-6)

Livermore and Santa Cruz Area: Livermore Valley's Annual Harvest Wine Celebration (Aug. 31), Capitola Art & Wine Festival with Santa Cruz Mountains wineries (Sept. 13-14)

Central Coast: 46 West Wineries Harvest Block Party in Paso Robles, (Aug. 30), Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley Wine Month (Sept. 1-30), Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County (Sept. 25-28)

Inland Valleys: Madera Vintners Association's California Wine Month Tasting Reception (Sept. 12), SIP SAVOR LODI (Sept. 26-28) harvest celebration

Sierra Foothills:  Annual Sample the Sierra Festival in South Lake Tahoe (Aug. 31), Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival (Sept. 5-7), Nevada City Uncorked (Sept. 6)

Southern California: Los Angeles Times The Taste (Aug. 29-31), CRUSH: Temecula Valley Wine & Culinary Showcase (Sept. 13)

To learn more about California wine country, go to www.discovercaliforniawines.com for information on wine regions, wines and winery amenities to plan your trip.  For more wine and food trip ideas, from great restaurants to agritourism experiences, check out Visit California's Wine and Dine page.

Partners

California Wine Month is also being celebrated by hotel, restaurant, retail, media and association partners in California, New York, throughout the U.S. and internationally including:

National: Safeway/VONs, Vino Volo, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Fleming's Steakhouse, Marlow's Tavern, Ocean Prime, Tavistock Restaurant Group, Giant Eagle Grocery Stores, Napa Technology and We Olive.

California: Bankers Hill Bar & Restaurant (San Diego), Bella Mia Restaurant (San Jose), California Restaurant Association, Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar (Sonoma), Farmhouse Inn (Russian River Valley), Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant (San Francisco), Giordano Brothers (San Francisco), Hock Farm Craft & Provisions (Sacramento), Marina Kitchen (San Diego), Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill (Southern California) and Visit California (State Tourism Commission).

International: Aged in Oak Wine Company (UK), Aitken Wines (UK), Butlers Wine Cellar (UK), Cambridge Wine Merchants (UK), Cheers Wine Merchants (UK), Chester Beer & Wine (UK) General Wine Company (UK), hangingditch wine merchants (UK), Harper Wells (UK), Secret Cellar (UK), The Cheese and Wine Company (UK) The Guildford Wine Company (UK), The Wine Tasting Company (UK) and Wassy's (Japan).

Other U.S: PJ's Coffee of El Dorado (AR), Wine House Lake Nona (FL), The Cork Boutique and Gifts (GA), Meritage Restaurant and Wine Bar (GA), The Winston-Salem Wine Market (NC), Buy Rite Wines & Liquor (NJ), Super Buy Rite Wines and Liquor (NJ), California Wine Merchants (NY) and Vinostrology Wine Lounge & Merchant (WA).

Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the association of nearly 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses that initiate and advocate state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine.  For information, see www.wineinstitute.org.  

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140819/137178

SOURCE Wine Institute