SeeCalifornia.com

February 2019 proved to be a rainy month, providing some challenge for adventurers heading out on California’s rambling roads leading to remote winery destinations. However, the skies are clearing and now’s the optimum time to access wineries during a less crowded season before summer’s arrival.

Heading into March, there are some great wine festivals to attend, as well. One of the last February events is White Wine Weekend Festival Feb.23-24, along Highway 128 in the Anderson Valley (around Boonville area.) Famed Alsace-style varietals like Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Riesling, and Chardonnay grapes make the sparkling wines from this region truly shine.

California March Wine Festivals

• SANTA BARBARA: World of Pinot Noir March 1-2, 2019 takes place at the ocean view Ritz-Carlton Bacara Resort.
• ANAHEIM: Disneyland Food & Wine Festival returns March 1-April 23 with winemaker dinners and special tasting events.
• TEMECULA: Pechanga Chocolate Decadence Wine Festival March 1-2 offers extra perks such as access to the casino floor gambling if you’re ‘game’.
• SANTA CLARA VALLEY: Wineries of Santa Clara Valley (Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Hollister, Saratoga and San Martin) Spring Passport March 1-31, features more than 30 wineries to explore along the beautiful Wine Trail with wildflowers flowers in bloom this Spring.
• MENDOCINO: Whale Festival Wine Tasting March 2 takes place at the charming Ford House Museum with Pacific Ocean views for whale watching.
• SONOMA / RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY: Barrel Tasting March 1-3 is your chance to sample wines from the barrel and purchase “futures” on them (often at a discount,) then come back to the winery when the wine is bottled, typically in 12-18 months.
• TUSTIN: Orange County Food & Wine Festival March 3 at Marconi Automotive Museum is a lively event indoors–set to stunning classic cars.