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When to Visit Wine Country

California's wine country is a beautiful place to visit any time of year. Each of the seasons offers a distinct experience as the grape vines cycle from their quiet winter sleep into budbreak and flowering in the spring, through the sunny summer months on to the climax of the fall harvest.

Spring

 

By mid-March most parts of California’s wine country are beginning to warm and rains are becoming more intermittent. Wine country is brimming with life. Native wildflowers and the bright yellow mustard often planted as a cover crop between vine rows burst into color, even as the vines continue to sleep. In late March, April and early May the vines awaken, break new buds and briefly flower. This is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit wine country, and visitor traffic tends to be moderate.

 

Summer

 

Temperatures continue to rise in June and July. The sun climbs higher, and in most of California wine country rain is quite rare between June and late September. For those seeking sunshine as well as fine wine, summer is an ideal time to visit. Green vineyards dotted with gnarled oak trees come to dominate the scenery as the growing grapes take center stage. In warmer regions, expect high temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s followed by refreshingly cool nights. Closer to the coast, temperatures tend to be milder, with cool morning fog giving way to warm sun in the afternoon. As with other vacation destinations, summer traffic can be heavy in the most popular wine regions, but less famous areas are still easily accessible and slower-paced.

 

Fall

 

It’s no wonder that fall is the most popular season to visit California wine country. The fall harvest is the culmination of the year’s work and there’s plenty of energy in the air. The summer heat wanes in September, and sunny, dry conditions sustain through most of November. Picking of the first grapes generally begins in September and often continues into November. Even with winemakers and their teams working marathon days, many wineries make time for special events and celebrations during harvest. With the aroma of fermenting grapes that waft through the air, vineyards are alive with the frenetic action of picking and crushing grapes - an especially exciting time to visit wine country. Most hotels fill up quickly, so early reservations are recommended.

 

Winter

 

After harvest, the vine leaves change from green to deep red and then drop off as the vines go dormant for the winter. From December to February temperatures cool significantly, and wine country receives most of its annual rainfall. Still, winter can be a great time to visit. Temperatures in most wine regions are relatively mild through the winter months, often in the 40s and 50s and only occasionally dipping below freezing. With the wine safely in tanks and barrels and fewer visitors to entertain, wineries can offer more personalized tours or barrel tastings, and the gnarled old vines without summer foliage have a beauty all their own. You’ll also pay less for a hotel suite complete with a cozy fireplace.