Top Bay Area Food and Drink Festivals in 2019

 

MILL VALLEY WINE, BEER AND GOURMET FOOD FESTIVAL

JUNE 2

Sponsored by Mill Valley Market since 1981, this family-friendly festival in the downtown Mill Valley plaza highlights 65 wineries, 15 craft breweries and food from local restaurants and chefs. Proceeds benefit the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce and Kiddo! Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation.

NORTH COAST WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

JUNE 8

Featuring 90 gold- and silver medal wines from Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino and Marin counties, as well as food by 25 chefs — from favorite local restaurants like Valette and Dry Creek Kitchen — this daylong event held at Rohnert Park’s SOMO Village Event Center packs quite a punch.

ANNUAL ALL-AMERICAN ZIN DAY DRY CREEK VALLEY

JULY 6

Celebrate all things zin at this valley-wide fête. Sip Dry Creek Valley’s most popular varietals, zinfandels and primitivos (Italian zinfandels), and savor meaty barbecue at wineries like Mazzocco-Sonoma and Family Wineries. Discounted admission for designated drivers.

PETALUMA WINE COUNTRY BIG Q BBQ FESTIVAL

JULY 7

A tasty ode to all things barbecue, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this huge event offers a spirits tasting, educational seminars, cooking demos and cash prizes for the winners.

OAKLAND WINE FESTIVAL

JULY 20

With proceeds supporting communitybased charities, this event features the Judgement of Oakland, the first double-blind tasting to be open to consumers. Luncheons, dinners, a grand tasting and a silent auction and wine pull spill over into the evening hours. o

SANTA CRUZ JULY PASSPORT CELEBRATION DAY

JULY 20

The more than 40 members of the Santa Cruz Winegrowers Association open their doors every quarter to honor the terroir and the farmers, vintners and families of this mountainous region.

LIVERMORE VALLEY TASTE OUR TERROIR

JULY 25–28

From a Portapalooza (yes, there will be port) to a Pink Party brunch with rosé, the wine and food events at this valley-wide festival span four days, culminating in the coveted People’s Choice Award on Sunday.

GRAVENSTEIN APPLE FAIR

AUGUST 17–18

Press your own cider, show off your moves in the egg and spoon race, sample the wares at the Artisan Tasting Lounge or just chill out under the oaks and hear music from the main stage. Hosted by Sonoma County Farm Trails, this weekend celebrates the region’s heritage apple with the low-key vibe of festivals of yore.

EAT DRINK SF

AUGUST 24

Featuring more than 150 chefs and restaurants in a weekend of cooking demonstrations and much more, the 11th year of this food and drink event is sure to delight fans of the culinary arts. Find out why San Francisco has such a unique foodie scene.

BODEGA SEAFOOD ART & WINE FESTIVAL

AUGUST 24–25

With a portion of proceeds benefiting Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, this long-running festival touts the seafood, wine and beer, and abundant agricultural products of the North Bay. Two music stages feature western swing, Afro-Brazilian and other beats.

BLUES, BREWS & BBQ

AUGUST 25

With over 40 microbrews in the Beer Garden and barbecue from 15 Bay Area pit masters, the toughest part of the day will be deciding which brew to pair with which ’cue. Two stages, one with zydeco and one with blues, will flank First Street in downtown Napa.