Summer of Wine: Not-to-Miss Festivals

One of the absolute best ways to learn about wine is to “dive in” and wine festivals, especially when they have a focus on educational seminars, are a terrific way to dive in. But even if you’re just a wine lover who likes to taste and sample and enjoy, then wine festivals equally rise to the occasion.

There are thousands of wine-focused festivals - both big and small - each year and in every corner of the world. This month, we take look at some incredible summer wine festivals in the United States that bring together top wine producers from around the world into one place for a few days of unadulterated, vinous-infused bliss.

I also encourage readers to research local wine festivals in your own city, state, or region. You will find some. For my part, I’ve chosen a handful of world-class festivals that should make their way onto your schedule this summer. As always, Salud!

Sonoma County Vintners Pour + Explore Series

One of the best ways to find events and opportunities for exploring wine regions is by researching the various types of membership associations that represent regions. In some cases, they are trade associations, guilds of growers, or some other permutation that coalesces the power and promise of those in the industry in any particular locale. Additionally, supporting these organizations and their work bolsters the entire ecosystem of those involved in wine in their geography.

Being a fan of Sonoma County and its many producers, Sonoma County Vintners is an incredible organization that represents and champions Sonoma County and their 150 winery members.

This year, and in collaboration with local Somm extraordinaire Christopher Sawyer, the organization has launched the Pour + Explore Wine Tasting series: 10 different events that take you to different Sonoma County properties and treat attendees to a true introduction to the bounty and diversity of the area’s wines:

Thirty different producers pouring their Pinot Noir at Bricoleur Vineyards

Chardonnay and other whites at Kendall-Jackson

Ram’s Gate showcasing their luxurious property and Joe Nielsen’s incredible bottlings

Other events are dedicated to Zinfandel (too under-appreciated!), Rhone Varietals, subregions in the Valley like Petaluma Gap, and sparkling wines at Gloria Ferrer.

You can even avoid the hustle and bustle of the bigger airports and take advantage of flights – many direct from larger west coast cities – into Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport by Alaska, American and Southwest airlines.

Events run monthly through December 2026. More information and ticket purchases can be found at sonomawine.com/pour-explore

Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience

Because Sonoma County continues to emerge from the long shadow of its neighboring valley and as a true world-renowned wine region in its own right, we are including a second wine festival in Sonoma on our list: the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience.

Thursday’s Welcome Celebration kicks off at celebrity chef Charlie Palmer’s new culinary-driven hotel, Appellation Healdsburg. Through the rest of the weekend, there are winery luncheons, various seminars, an outdoor concert, and incredible wine dinners to choose from. The Grand Tasting on Saturday afternoon will feature over 150 incredible wines, beers, spirits and ample bites from top chefs and restaurants in Sonoma County and beyond. I love that Healdsburg locals get a discounted rate to the Grand Tasting. And if you’ve paced yourself accordingly, there is a Big Bottle Party that same evening with large format bottles, caviar stations and live music.

Those seeking the ultimate experience can purchase the Platinum VIP Weekend Package which ensures you won’t miss the best of the festival’s events with lots of VIP perks like a personal hospitality concierge, priority hotel booking, early access to the Grand Tasting and complimentary shuttle service to and from all events.

The event runs from May 14 to 17, 2026, and tickets are currently on sale. Head to healdsburgwineandfood.com for further details.

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen

Polo Lifestyles readers know well that world-class polo can be found in the dreamy, luxe outpost of Aspen. And of course there is skiing. But it is also home to one of the most storied food and wine festivals in the U.S., the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Held since 1983, the event only garners more accolades and attention year after year.

One of two festivals with the full backing of Food & Wine magazine – the other being the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston, S.C., – the event draws top talent in both the culinary and beverage worlds. Chefs Tyler Florence, Maneet Chauhan, Bobby Flay and many others will be conducting seminars and demonstrations this year. Nearly a dozen wine seminars are available covering everything from leading women winemakers from Italy to the rising interest in Chenin Blanc, from “ultra-luxury” sake to the amazingly entertaining Wanda Mann leading a seminar on high altitude, mountain wines.

The Grand Tasting sessions are available both before and after the scheduled seminars, with each session offering a new lineup of bites and beverage offerings. The winery attendees are opaque on the event Web site, but fear not, top producers are always in attendance. Local hotels play host to various scheduled events, including the St. Regis Aspen Resort. Luxe accommodations are also right downtown at the wonderfully historic Hotel Jerome, which is part of the Auberge group.

The festival runs June 19 to 26, 2026, and tickets are currently on sale (and going fast) at classic.foodandwine.com

Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

Consistently ranked among the top wine festivals in the U.S., the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is actually the best wine festival in the world. Truly. Okay… owning up that I am a wee bit biased as I not only live in Santa Fe, N.M., but I also serve on the Fiesta’s Board of Directors. However, there are nearly 5,000 people who love this annual event – celebrating its 35th year in 2026 – and descend on downtown Santa Fe each September to enjoy a week of festivities that celebrate and center wine, while also elevating Santa Fe’s unique history, culture, and stellar culinary scene.

The nearly week-long Fiesta includes golf outings, sunset train tours, a wine luncheon at Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch and a slew of amazing culinary demonstrations. There are also fun and educational seminars led by top U.S. wine talent, including this year, a seminar to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris. The city’s culinary scene is hot, with over two dozen winery dinners and luncheons.

The Fiesta really comes alive with the events at Fort Marcy Park in downtown. Chile Friday kicks things off with a celebration of New Mexican cuisine, craft beers and ciders, and tequila. Saturday’s Grant Tasting brings together 80 wineries and the city’s best restaurants to create a truly unforgettable afternoon. Lest you think Sunday, the last day of the Fiesta, is an afterthought, you’d be wrong. In fact, it includes my favorite event, Rosé All Day, at the posh Auberge Bishop’s Lodge.

Individual events can sellout and the city’s hotels also reach capacity, so be certain to buy tickets and make reservations early. Most of the Fiesta’s events are held downtown in walking distance to many of Santa Fe’s celebrated hotels, including the former Harvey House hotel, La Fonda, where history envelops visitors and – by September - the property’s lobby and bar will have emerged from a thoughtful makeover.

The Fiesta runs from September 23 to 27, 2026. More information is available at santafewineandchile.org and tickets go on sale on June 17th.