When to Visit Wine Country

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Written by:

Joe Becerra

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Now is the best time to visit wine country – July 2023

In the July the tourist season is in full swing. Weekends can be very busy in the Napa Valley and Sonoma. Plan ahead booking your reservations for wine tasting, accommodations and meals. The vineyards are looking so beautiful this time of the year. Catch the vineyards at sunrise or sunset; this is when they look their best.

What each time of year brings to wine country

Winter – December to January in Wine Country

The wineries are much less crowded. You won’t need to fight the crowds and the traffic, particularly in the more famous wine regions of the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. The vines are dormant, showing rows and lines of bare trellising. There are many sunny and bright days mixed with rainy weather. 

February in Wine Country

Limerick Lane backroad

Plan your Valentine’s trip. There is also President’s Day around the same time. Wildflowers begin to grow among the vines. It’s a photo opportunity time in the wine country. More on February Weather in Wine Country.

March to April in Wine Country

bud break

The vines awaken and begin to bud. Vintners call it “Bud Break.” Wine country wildflowers are in bloom and a delight to view. The visitor season starts in earnest. More on March Weather in Wine CountryApril Weather in Wine Country

May to June in Wine Country

image dry creek valley

These are some of the most pleasant months in the wine country. The weather is warm, and the vines are proliferating. Thinning of the vine leaves takes place during these months. The tourist season is well underway.

July to August in Wine Country

early cabernet sauvignon

Veraison takes place. Veraison is the onset of ripening. It is hot in most areas of the wine country, and there are high expectations for the coming harvest. Many tourists travel during this time and weekend crowds can be considerable. The tourist season is in full swing. More on July Weather in Wine CountryAugust Weather in Wine Country

September to October in Wine Country

Harvest Napa Valley

It is harvest time in the wine country. It’s great fun to visit a winery during the harvest. The harvest time varies depending on the climate and region. It is a busy and bustling time at a winery. Beware of the crowds at this time of the year. More on September Weather in Wine CountryOctober Weather in Wine Country

November in Wine Country

The vines and trees show off fall colors. November is indeed the most beautiful time in the wine country. It is our favorite time of the year. It’s a photographers delight! More on the November Weather in Wine Country


A Vineyard Year

This quick slide video depicts each of the seasons in a vineyard year. The video will present all the events and changes that take place from bud-break to harvest, and more.

 

  • Joe Becerra

    Joe Becerra has been traveling to wine country and enjoying wine since 1965. He is a retired educator, and now have the time the opportunity to share his wine travel experiences through this Website.

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