The Top Wine Festivals in America
When you Google “the top wine festivals in America,” what seem to be hundreds of choices flood your search, making it overwhelming or even impossible to narrow down your priorities.
Whether you’re a fellow wine enthusiast planning your first (or next) festival adventure or a passionate traveler eager to taste the best food and wine culture in the fifty states, there is no wrong choice when it comes to choosing a wine festival.
For your planning ease, we’ve narrowed our top picks to six must-see festivals to help you get started.
1. San Diego Food and Wine Festival
If you want to taste the best West Coast wines but don’t know where to begin, the San Diego Food and Wine Festival boasts the largest turnout. Every November, passionate wine enthusiasts flock to Southern California to indulge in distinguished food and drinks hand-prepared by celebrity chefs. If you’re looking for a wine and food festival that takes all the fun seriously with some of the best winemakers, culinary experts, and brewmasters in attendance, this is the place for you.
2. California Wine Festival
Want to expand your exploration of Golden Coast wines?
The California Wine Festival is a multi-event affair, taking place over the course of an entire summer, with the last event happening in November. Showcasing 250 wines from over seventy wineries, watch out for this event passing through Dana Point, Carlsbad, Santa Barbara, and Huntington Beach. It’s the quintessential California wine-tasting experience with hundreds of vintage wines, live musical entertainment, and a dizzying array of gourmet foods.
3. EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
If you’re located near or in Florida, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival offers a magical tasting experience. This festival features global marketplaces with culinary delights across six continents.
Enjoy uniquely innovative dishes like chimichurri marinated skirt steak tacos or a spicy barbecue chocolate tart from Flavors from Fire. But it’s not just the food that makes this event one of the happiest places on earth. While savoring an amazing meal hand-prepared by a globally inspired chef, dance the night away at a live concert with one of their “Eat-to-the-beat” dining packages.
For dessert, stop by the Shimmering Sips booth for tropical, fruity, and even beer mimosas paired with their famous guava cake topped with whipped cream and coconut.
The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is the once-a-year Walt Disney World Showcase you won’t want to miss.
4. South Beach Wine and Food Festival
If you find yourself longing for the heat in the middle of winter, the South Beach Food and Wine Festival boasts a four-day-long event in the heart of Miami every February.
Experience hosts like Guy Fieri and kick off the excursion with their famous annual Burger Bash. This festival boasts countless events, from brunches to intimate dinners and new and signature events with celebrity chef cooking demonstrations.
5. Austin Food and Wine Festival
At the Austin Food and Wine Festival, you’ll sip and savor everything from Central State favorites to the country’s top purveyors. Every November, this festival features Michelin Star chef demos and Texas barbecue cooked to perfection by some of the best pitmasters around.
6. Atlanta Food and Wine Festival
Recommended by top industry professionals like Maryland-based sommelier Jean Wesley Michel, the Atlanta Wine Festival is jam-packed with plenty of rare varietals you won’t find anywhere else.
Each September, enjoy some of the best local cuisine, fun interactive events, and live entertainment.
The highlight of the festival is the award ceremony, which celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the wine industry.
Rooted in diversity and inclusion, the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival is home to dishes as unique and expressive as the wonderful culture they originate from.
Get Your Festival Passport Ready
We hope this article will serve as a helpful guide when planning your next food and wine-tasting excursion.
Whether you’re looking to taste some of the best burgers in Miami, magical mimosas at EPCOT, or an event highlighting California’s wine culture, there is no wrong choice.
If you’re planning a staycation and want to sample premium wines from around the United States, browse Macy’s Wine Shop for unbeatable, affordable selections.
Check out The Wine Blog for more insight on all things wine.