January Wine Festivals & Events

January wine festivals in California are scarce compared to the height of the festival season, summer through the fall grape harvests and into the pre-Christmas holidays. Though you won't find large numbers of wine festivals throughout the state in January you will find great wine tasting opportunities. In fact, January is the optimum to go wine tasting if you seek low-key, less crowded experiences.

2019 Events

SAN FRANCISCO: Zinfandel Experience January 17-19, 2019
Pier 27 for Grand Tasting Jan.19, 2019, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
& other venues
$150-up, zinfandelexperience.com

SACRAMENTO: Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, January 29-31, 2019
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, CA
$35-up for non-members, unifiedsymposium.org
The Unified Wine and Grape Symposium introduces attendees to more than 80 speakers and 600 wine exhibitors The countdown is underway for the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium at the Sacramento Convention Center, where there will be scores of educational exhibits and presentations for winemakers, grape growers and other attendees to enjoy. The three-day conference provides the latest news and in-depth information for those in the wine and grape production business. More than 80 guest speakers in the field of viticulture will present new research in their lectures during the event. The symposium is a great opportunity for professionals to network and to stay current with changes in the wine and grape industry.

LOS ANGELES: Uncorked LA Wine Festival January 26, 2019, 5-9 p.m.  
Union Station
800 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
$60-70, uncorkedwinefestivals.com
Head over to Union Station, for more than 50 wineries, food trucks, and music are in store at this completely unpretentious festival of fine wines. Union Station is located in the heart of LA's vibrant downtown. Wine tastings are included, while food is sold separately.

CAMBRIA: Art & Wine Festival January 25-27, 2019 $40-up, CambriaArtWine.org    
Cambria Chamber of Commerce
The  annual Cambria Art & Wine Festival celebrates fine wine and original art found on the California Central Coast. The Main Event offers three days of wine tasting venues including a two-day Artists Faire, with demonstrating artists, plus an art auction and multiple wine tastings throughout the village shops. In addition to the Main Event there is a Friday night Kickoff Party which includes a five course dinner prepared by Cambria's finest restaurants paired with local wineries.  Participants include approximately 45 vineyards, 6 restaurants, 80 artists.

• Farm to Easel live demonstration at the Friday Farmers Market
• Friday evening Kickoff Party five course dinner with wine pairing and live entertainment.
• Saturday Artists Faire at the Veterans' Hall, an Art Auction at the Cambria Center for the Arts and wine tasting at all main venues including the Cambria Historical Society and select village shops.
• Sunday wine tasting, Artists Faire, artist demonstrations, and the Art Auction conclusion. 

  CAMBRIA: Cambria Art & Wine Festival  January 25, 26 & 27 2019
  Cambria California
  $40-120, CambriaArtWine.org 
  Friday, January 25, 2019
  Demonstrating artists throughout the village and  Farm to Easel live demonstration at the Friday Farmers Market.
  Elegant, Kickoff Party five course dinner with wine pairing and live entertainment Friday evening the Veterans' Hall.
  Saturday, January 26, 2019
  Artists Faire at the Veterans' Hall, an Art Auction at the Cambria Center for the Arts
  Wine tasting at all main venues including the Cambria Historical Society and select village shops.
  Sunday, January 27, 2019
  Wine tasting, Artists Faire, artist demonstrations, and the Art Auction conclusion. The event ends with the final raffle drawing at the Veterans' Hall.
  About: The 17th annual celebration of fine wine and original art offers three days of wine tasting venues including a two-day Artists Faire, with demonstrating artists, plus an art auction and multiple wine tastings throughout the village.

TEMECULA: Barrel Tasting Weekend!  January 26-27, 2019, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
$78-128 approx., temeculawines.org
Annual Harvest Celebration This two day event gives ticketed guests the opportunity to visit over 30 Member wineries for a fun-filled food and wine adventure! Delicious foods and wine samplings are offered at each stop as well as barrel and/or tank samples of finished and unfinished wines often not available to the general public. Visit your old favorites or discover the undiscovered! Get busy planning your self-guided two-day tour of Temecula Valley Wine Country!

HEALDSBURG:  Winter WINEland January 19-20, 2019, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ticket price will include wine tasting at all of the participating wineries for the weekend.
 $, wineroad.com/events/winter-wineland/
Age 21 and older only -- no babies or children permitted
Two glorious days along Wine Road - Northern Sonoma County--meet winemakers, taste limited production wines, new releases or library wines. All participating wineries highlight a Vintage, Varietal or Vertical tasting for the weekend. Winter WINEland invites you to travel from winery to winery, visiting the ones you are interested in exploring.

NAPA: Napa Truffle Festival January 18-21, 2019
Napa Valley, CA
Event-goers prepare to forage for wild mushrooms and may have opportunities to meet renowned truffle experts . The signature event is the Napa Truffle Festival Marketplace inviting guests to watch cooking demos, sample and buy specialty foods, wines and other culinary merchandise. A la carte tickets and two special packages are available: the Epicurean and the Grand Truffle Weekend.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.