Autumn 2017 Events in Sonoma County

It's grape picking season and there's lots to see. You can even smell the harvest! There's usually great weather, but you can always count on great wine and great food.

There are many events going on between September and November. Enjoy the bounty of Sonoma County.
        
September

1-3 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend - A few days of wine and food with the wine tasting moving to Rohnert Park this year. Info

2  Fermentation Festival in Petaluma has alcoholic and non-alcoholic fermented foods from kimchi to pickles to cider. Info

2-3 Cajun/Zydeco Festival in Sebastopol. Food, beer, wine, and lots of dance music. Info

5-7 National Heirloom Exposition at the Sonoma County fairgrounds in Santa Rosa. It's billed as the world's largest display of heirloom produce with speakers and music, also. Info

8-10 Sonoma Valley Crush. Harvest activities at various wineries. You may get your hands dirty. Info

9-10 Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival on the beach in Guerneville. Info

15-17 Indy Cars at Sonoma Raceway. Info

16  Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. Info

17  Sonoma Valley Uncorked in Sonoma. Taste wine from local home winemakers. Info

22-24 Wine Country Film Festival in Sonoma Valley. Info

22-24 Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival in Sonoma is the oldest festival in the state. Art, music, grape stomp, parade, activities for the kids, and lots of wine. Many of these events are free. Info

30  Levi's GranFondo. Local professional cyclist, Levi Leipheimer, puts on a cycle event with multiple routes throughout the county so there's something for everybody. Or you can spectate the pros in action. Info

October

1  Harvest Celebration at Kendall-Jackson Winery. Their long-running Heirloom Tomato Festival has expanded to this new event. Info

6-8 Sonoma County Harvest Fair in Santa Rosa at the county fairgrounds - Food, award-winning wines, beer, music, and the "World Championship" Grape Stomp. Info

14  Cotati Oktoberfest - Food, beer, yodeling contest, and oom-pah bands. Info

14-15 & 21-22 Tolay Fall Festival, Petaluma. A Sonoma County family tradition with hay rides, a pumpkin patch, and farm animals. Info

15  Fort Ross-Seaview Wine Festival at Ft. Ross on the coast. It's all about Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Info

22  Pinot on the River in Healdsburg. Food plus a hundred wineries pouring Pinot Noir. Info

November

4-5 Wine and Food Affair - A northern Sonoma County food and wine event weekend with over 50 participating wineries. Info

25-26 Holiday Open House at about two dozen Sonoma Valley wineries. Info


Other Info

The harvest / crush / vintage - Grape harvest season this year is underway and should run through October with the busiest time being the month of September, but it's really up to Mother Nature.

Individual winery harvest events - Many wineries have their own harvest parties and winemaker dinners. Check with your favorites to see if they have anything going on.

Thanksgiving weekend - Most wineries are closed on Thanksgiving Day. The rest of the weekend is usually very busy with many putting on holiday open houses.  Check with your favorites to see if they have a special event. Be prepared for big crowds on Friday and Saturday afternoon.