Welcome friends! In this post, we’ll share the 10 best wine festivals happening in 2024 that you should add to your calendar for National Drink Wine Day. Sip, savor, and celebrate at these fantastic events across the country.
Wine festivals showcase the best of what vineyards in their region have to offer. They are a wine lover’s paradise, with tastings, food pairings, seminars, entertainment, and more. Attending a wine festival is a wonderful way to expand your palate and discover new favorite varietals and wineries.
There are wine festivals held throughout the year, but these 10 are especially noteworthy for 2024. Let’s dive in!
- 1 1. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado
- 2 2. Napa Valley Wine Festival, California
- 3 3. National Wine Festival, Pennsylvania
- 4 4. Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Rhode Island
- 5 5. Keystone Food & Wine Festival, Colorado
- 6 6. Sonoma County Wine Country Weekend, California
- 7 7. Oregon Wine Experience, Oregon
- 8 8. Vermont Harvest Festival, Vermont
- 9 9. Lodi Grape Festival, California
- 10 10. Long Island Wine & Food Festival, New York
- 11 Final Sips
1. Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado
The iconic Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is celebrating its 38th year running in 2024. This legendary festival brings together winemakers, culinary experts, and discerning palates for a weekend of savoring and learning.
Over 3,000 wines from around the world are showcased. You can taste rare finds and famous labels while mingling with the winemakers themselves. The scenic mountain views combined with delicious bites from celebrity chefs make this a top bucket list choice.
When: June 2024 (exact dates TBA)
2. Napa Valley Wine Festival, California
Napa Valley is America’s premier wine region. The Napa Valley Wine Festival allows you to fully experience the heart of California wine country.
Over four days, you’ll taste wines from 100+ distinguished producers. Experiment with craft beer, spirits, and ciders too. Gourmet bites, live music, and seminars add to the fun.
The festival also partners with local hotels and transportation so you can fully immerse yourself in what Napa has to offer. Don’t miss this festival if California wine is your passion!
When: November 2024 (exact dates TBA)
3. National Wine Festival, Pennsylvania
Wine festivals don’t have to be on the coasts! The National Wine Festival brings 50+ wineries from across the country to Pennsylvania for three days of tastings, food, and entertainment.
Sample wines from Virginia to Washington to North Carolina and beyond. Chat with winemakers and growers to learn their stories first-hand. You can even order wines on-site and have them shipped home so you can enjoy your new favorites all year long!
When: May 31 – June 2, 2024
4. Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Rhode Island
Spend a late summer weekend immersed in the beauty and culinary excellence of Newport, RI at the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival.
Not only will you sip and savor, you’ll do it while exploring the city’s iconic Gilded Age mansions. Attend intimate dinners, seminars, tastings, and grand galas across these storied estates. With over 150 wineries and 30 restaurants participating, it’s a food and wine experience like no other.
When: September 2024 (exact dates TBA)
5. Keystone Food & Wine Festival, Colorado
Venture to the Rocky Mountains for the Keystone Food & Wine Festival, set at the base of the scenic peaks.
Sample wines, spirits, beers, and ciders while taking in views of Lake Dillon and the surrounding vistas. Peruse chef demonstrations, get VIP access to Colorado’s top chefs, and dance at the new Wine and Vinyl night.
Of course, make sure to leave time for hiking, boating, or biking around town to take advantage of the festival’s prime summer location!
When: July 2024 (exact dates TBA)
6. Sonoma County Wine Country Weekend, California
Spend three days surrounded by the vineyards that put Sonoma County on the map! Taste wines from over 200 wineries while also supporting a great cause.
The Sonoma County Wine Country Weekend benefits local nonprofit organizations that support youth and health services. Your ticket makes a difference in the community.
Enjoy intimate winemaker lunch and dinner sessions along with a lively celebration on the town square. All with the county’s scenic rolling hills as your backdrop.
When: Labor Day Weekend 2024 (exact dates TBA)
7. Oregon Wine Experience, Oregon
The Oregon Wine Experience gives you access to over 100 of Oregon’s high-caliber wineries. Sip Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and more from this esteemed wine region.
Not only will you taste, you’ll meet the families who grow and produce these stand-out wines. Dine at winery lunches, attend seminars guided by pros, or bid on rare finds at the Northwest auction.
Whether you opt for a day pass or make it a weekend, you’ll leave knowing Oregon wine country is worth all the praise.
When: August 2024 (exact dates TBA)
8. Vermont Harvest Festival, Vermont
New England is known for its stunning fall foliage. Experience peak leaf peeping season and Vermont wines at the annual Vermont Harvest Festival.
Attend tastings and workshops guided by Vermont vintners. Learn how they cultivate grapes and craft wine in the northeast’s rocky soil and cold climate.
Pair your wine with Vermont cheese, chocolate, and specialty foods. Bring the family to enjoy live music, vineyard tours, local arts & crafts, and plenty of hygge.
When: September 28-29, 2024
9. Lodi Grape Festival, California
Lodi, California is an under-the-radar wine region that’s a must for adventurous wine lovers. Lodi native grapes like Zinfandel and Petit Sirah thrive in the Mediterranean climate.
The Lodi Grape Festival gives you access to over 100 wineries, most of which you can only visit during the festival weekend. Wine experts give guided tastings and teach you why Lodi is gaining acclaim.
When you need a break from vino, enjoy chef demos, live music, and family-friendly fun. Everything is locally sourced, letting Lodi’s agricultural bounty shine.
When: September 14-15, 2024
10. Long Island Wine & Food Festival, New York
Who says you can’t make wine in the Hamptons? The Long Island Wine & Food Festival gives you a taste of why the island’s wine scene is exploding.
Attend the Grand Tasting on the stunning waterfront lawn of the Southampton Arts Center. Sample pours from over 30 Long Island wineries, accompanied by local cuisine.
Learn directly from winemakers about the nuances of Long Island terroir. Discover why varieties like Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc thrive in this unexpected East Coast region.
The festival also features pours from New York craft breweries and spirits. For a complete taste of Long Island’s bounty, don’t miss it!
When: July 2024 (exact dates TBA)
Now you have an amazing lineup of can’t-miss wine festivals to raise a glass at in 2024! From Aspen to Hamptons, plan your grape-filled getaway. Use National Drink Wine Day on February 18th as the perfect excuse to start mapping out your year of wine events.
Sip your way through iconic regions and discover up-and-coming wine hot spots. Chat with passionate winemakers and find new favorite bottles. Pair bold reds, crisp whites, and special vintage reserves with great food, music, and fun.
With so many excellent wine festivals to choose from, 2024 promises to be a very good year for oenophiles. Cheers to that!
Final Sips
Attending wine festivals is a wonderful way to celebrate your love of vino on National Drink Wine Day and all year long. Use this guide to plan an unforgettable grape-filled getaway in 2024!
Let us know which wine festivals you’re most excited about in the comments below! And if you have a local wine festival to add, share the details so other wine lovers can experience it.
Salute!
