Sonoma harvest season is the heart and soul of the county’s wine culture. The air is crisp, the days are warm, and the grape harvest is in full swing. It’s not just about the grapes reaching their peak ripeness; it’s a year’s hard coming to fruition. You can feel the anticipation from winemakers and vineyard workers as they prepare for one of the most important events in the wine calendar!
Fall in Sonoma also means the wineries are bustling, but there’s still an intimate and personal feel to each visit. Many vineyards host special harvest tastings, where you can sample the year’s bounty before being bottled. The aromas of fermenting grapes fill the air, and the entire county buzzes with the season’s excitement (after all, this is our specialty!).
Visiting Sonoma during harvest season offers a rare opportunity to connect with the land, the vines, and the people behind some of the world’s finest wines.
When is Harvest Season in Sonoma?
Harvest season in Sonoma typically runs from late August through October, and it’s an immersive experience for both locals and visitors. This is the time to see winemaking in action! Tour wineries behind the scenes or join a harvest dinner in the vineyards.
Have you ever stomped grapes? Participate in grape stomps and be a part of the immersive harvest experience! (Side note: That’s how we got the term “crush season.”) Each vineyard has its own rhythm and unique approach to harvest, offering an authentic glimpse into the region’s winemaking traditions.
Sonoma Harvest Fair 2024
The 2024 Sonoma County Harvest Fair is the main event during harvest season. Set to take place on Saturday, October 12th, the Sonoma County Harvest Fair will showcase the best of the region’s wine and food through its Taste, Toast & Celebrate event.
This one-night-only celebration will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste wines from over 100 local wineries, including the unveiling of the Sweepstakes Award-winning wines for the year.
More Sonoma Harvest Events
- Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival: This weekend-long celebration includes wine tastings, winemaker dinners, and a daytime festival.
- Sonoma Valley Music Festival: Three days of live music, including an Oktoberfest concert.
- SRJC Shone Farm Festival: Join friends and family of SRJC’s Shone Farm for a day of u-pick produce, farm tours, hay bale rides, and kids’ zone.
Sonoma Fall Wine Tasting
Sonoma County is home to over 400 wineries, each with its own unique approach to harvest. This period offers an incredible opportunity to witness the winemaking process firsthand. Fall in Sonoma also means the wineries are bustling, but there’s still an intimate and personal feel to each visit.
Many vineyards host special harvest tastings, where you can sample the year’s bounty before it even makes its way into the bottle. Take a private Sonoma wine tour through the valley and get up close and personal with the winemaking experience, or visit some of Sonoma’s best wineries. Remember, check with each winery; some require reservations. Or, we can help arrange a wine tasting tour through our concierge partner.
Fall Activities in Sonoma
Sonoma during the fall is truly a magical time. This is when the vineyards are alive with energy, and the leaves are beginning to change! Take this opportunity to visit one of the many pumpkin patches in Sonoma County. Or, take a crisp kayak trip along the Russian River.
If you’re planning to take a Sonoma vacation, use this opportunity to explore Sonoma Plaza, chock full of historic restaurants, shops (like the original Williams Sonoma!), and plenty of wine tasting. Pack up the car and bundle up for a Sonoma Coast day trip and see the coastline of Northern California. Be sure to grab some saltwater taffy along the way!
Sonoma Fall Getaways
If the fall season is your vibe, you’ll definitely want to experience Sonoma during this time. The mornings are cool and crisp, the days are warm, and the nights are best spent around a fire pit sipping on the wine du jour from a day of tasting. Explore luxury vacation rentals in Sonoma or find a cozy furnished vacation home near Sonoma Plaza for easy walkability and downtown dining. A Sonoma fall getaway awaits!
