Each year, Americans look forward to Fall festivities, including picking apples, carving pumpkins and checking out the bright fall foliage. Others prefer something else: the annual grape harvests that turn fruit into wine.
The annual autumn grape harvest and wine pressing no longer necessitate a costly or time-consuming trip to Europe. Instead, Americans can visit some wonderful celebrations over the course of a long weekend by taking a simple road trip with a designated driver to one of these locations.
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
After a two-year hiatus related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sonoma County Harvest Fair offers attendees the chance to sample wines from hundreds of wineries. Food vendors also attend the event.
The grape stomping competition sets this event apart from others. The winners receive cash prizes.
This year’s fair takes place in Santa Rosa at the Sonoma County Events Center Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa on Saturday, October 15. Attendees may stay at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country hotel.
Virginia Wine Festival
On the first weekend of October, wine lovers drive to Loudon County, VA to attend the Virginia Wine Festival. During the festival, the Bluemont Vineyard hosts a grape stomping competition.
Attendees can listen to live music and sample freshly caught and shucked oysters from the nearby Chesapeake bay. Tickets cost $15, and the Salamander Resort and Spa offers luxurious accommodations.
This festival’s location near the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it an ideal destination for people who also enjoy viewing the fall foliage.
Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta coincides with New Mexico’s vegetation turning from a lush green to bright yellows and reds. From September 21 to 25, guests can attend the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta and enjoy both wine and red hot chili peppers.
More than 60 food vendors set up at the fiesta. Another 90 wineries offer samples and bottles of wine to buy and enjoy at home.
Tickets to the event start at $100 and sell out quickly.
For accommodations, the La Posada de Santa Fe resort offers beautiful scenery, multiple restaurants, an outdoor pool and a full-service spa. Each room includes a fireplace.
Catch the Crush
Located in the Yakima Valley of Washington, this grape-related festival includes 40 local wineries, live music, wine cellar tours and grape stomping. Passes start at just $30.
Athletic attendees at Catch the Crush may sign up for a 5K race or register for a behind-the-scenes tour at a winery.
The Hilton Garden Inn Yakima in downtown starts at $134 per night. Guests can walk from the hotel to Catch the Crush.
The best wines to try in fall with hearty root vegetable dishes and other seasonal foods include Sicilian reds and Cabernet Franc.
