LIVERMORE VALLEY WINE AND WAGS JUNE 3
Don’t miss the first-ever Wine and Wags, when wineries like Steven Kent, McGrail and Wente Vineyards team with local animal rescue groups to host a day of fun for people and four-legged friends. lvwine.org
DRY CREEK VALLEY ANNUAL ALL-AMERICAN ZIN DAY JUNE 30
The 12th annual Sonoma fest toasts the region’s star varietal. Enjoy pulled pork at Kokomo Winery, skirt steak at Mazzocco- Sonoma and the ever-popular sausages at Wilson Winery, perfectly paired with your favorite zin. sonomacounty.com
PETALUMA WINE COUNTRY BIG Q BBQ FESTIVAL JULY 7
This eighth annual Wine Country Kansas City Barbecue Society festival and competition, benefiting Sonoma County Vet Connect, offers tasty authentic barbecued meats with world-class wines, award-winning brews, and rock and blues. winecountrybigq.com
SANTA CRUZ JULY PASSPORT CELEBRATION DAY JULY 21
Four times a year, more than 50 member wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association open their tasting rooms in and around the Santa Cruz Mountains for a unique Passport Celebration Day. sanjose.org
OAKLAND WINE FESTIVAL JULY 21
Sponsored by Silverado Vineyards and the Oakland Wine and Food Society, this fourth annual event is a full day with educational wine tastings, seated gatherings, judging panels, winemaker dinners and a silent auction. The newly added Biscuits, Bottles and Brunch is a must. oaklandwinefestival.com
LIVERMORE VALLEY TASTE OUR TERROIR JULY 26–29
In four days of food-and-wine-pairing bliss, 20 winemakers partner with Bay Area chefs to compete for the People’s Choice Award. There’s plenty to do, with cooking classes, wine seminars, vineyard tours and more. lvwine.org
45TH ANNUAL GRAVENSTEIN APPLE FAIR AUGUST 11–12
In mid-August, Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol is the place to be, for the decades-old tradition of feting the delicious Gravenstein apple. From live music and excellent local food to cider, microbrews and wine, there’s something for everyone. gravensteinapplefair.com
EAT DRINK SF AUGUST 24–26
In its 10th year, San Francisco’s premier food and drink event this year features more than 160 chefs and restaurants in a weekend of cooking demonstrations and much more. Enjoy the delectable diversity that makes San Francisco a culinary wonderland. eatdrink-sf.com
BODEGA SEAFOOD ART & WINE FESTIVAL AUGUST 25–26
A Florida couple concocted this Sonoma County event after noticing a shortage of seafood festivals on the West Coast. With fare from Big Boys Bar-B-Que, Gus’s Salmon Shack and Mommy’s Yammys, no one will go hungry. bodegaseafoodfestival.com
BLUES, BREWS & BBQ AUGUST 26
Oxbow Commons in Napa is the spot for this party with 30 microbrews in a huge beer garden, food from dozens of barbecue restaurants, an annual rib-eating contest and Bay Area musicians playing the blues. donapa.com
