If you love wine travel, like me, here are a few fun events that are happening in California Wine Country this harvest season 2026. Remember that September and October mark the height of the harvest in wine country. It is the most energetic time of the year, as grapes reach peak maturity and are rushed from the vines to the crush pad to begin their transformation into world-class wines.
To celebrate this season, wineries across the state host exclusive tours, hands-on workshops, and festive gatherings that bring visitors right into the heart of the action. Whether you are looking to get your hands dirty or simply sip fresh vintage samples, here are a few unforgettable ways to experience California’s harvest season:
Immersive Behind-the-Scenes Tours
- Harvest Live! at St. Supéry (Napa Valley): Daily throughout September, this tour offers an exclusive look at the rush of harvest. Visitors head straight to the crush pad to watch winemaking in real time, concluding with a rare tasting of the new vintage straight from the tanks and barrels.
- Sculpture Walk at The Donum Estate (Carneros): Take a peaceful stroll across 200 acres to view more than 70 monumental sculptures by world-renowned artists. Select tours wrap up with a guided, seated wine tasting paired with seasonal local bites.
Unique Tastings & Hands-On Classes
- Forest Bathing at Bartholomew Estate (Sonoma): Guided by a certified nature therapy expert, this session uses the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) to connect all five senses to the surrounding forest and vines, followed by a curated tasting of estate wines.
- Winemaker for a Day at Bottaia Winery (Temecula): Step into the Wine Blending Lab to measure, mix, and craft your own custom vintage using barrel samples. Every guest leaves with a hand-corked, custom-labeled bottle of their personal blend.
Harvest Festivals
If you want to sample a wide variety of regions, producers, and local food in one go, a festival is the way to go:
Given that, each year, more than 25 million wine lovers travel to California, to experience harvest, consider joining in. As the fourth-largest wine-producing region in the world, the Golden State is a premier destination year-round—but there is no time quite like “crush season.”
Find more California wine travel experiences HERE.
