No two ways about it, summer is in full swing.
No one wants to just sit inside (unless it is to cool off by the AC), and the outdoors are calling…
Well, we’re here to help with some fun activities in wine country this month that’ll get you out of the house while not sacrificing your wine-loving lifestyle.
Napa
The 4th of July parade in historic downtown Napa is always a blast. It starts at 10am and runs east down 2nd street then west on 3rd. The parade concludes at noon.
The Uptown Theatre will be doing live shows through the month of July in the evenings, but the one to check out (in our humble opinion) would be Lyle Lovett and His Large Band on the 10th at 8pm. Lyle Lovett in this incarnation acts as a genre bending crooner blending cabaret, country, and Americana. Remember, not “big band” music, but “large band” music.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series at Robert Mondavi Winery. While there are a number of awesome acts performing, we love Thievery Corporation, the get regular radio play in the office. That said, they will be there on Saturday, July 13th and while the music starts around 7pm, get there when the gates open at 5pm for better parking and general admission seating. Tickets start at $95/person, but you can have dinner with your show for $235/person, a recommended way to experience this historic summer concert series. All proceeds go to benefit the Napa Valley Unified School District High School music programs, so no sticker shock excuses allowed, this is very beneficial for the community and education.
On the 21st of the month the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon is the thing to do! Burn off some of those increased calories you piled on drinking wine through the winter and spring to keep warm with this beautiful, scenic stretch between two of the worlds finest wine regions. The marathon begins at Napa’s Cuvaison Carneros Winery and concludes at the historic Sonoma Plaza in front of City Hall. This is a family friendly event as activities are provided around the race.
And since you just raced to Sonoma…
Sonoma
On Friday, July 5th, Mill Creek Winery will be hosting a celebration of white wine! They will be celebrating chill summer vibes with some thirst-quenching white wines through a selected tasting in addition to their regular tasting room options.
Either before or after you visit Mill Creek Winery to celebrate white wine, you can take an incredible, hands-on cheese making class with award-winning cheesemaker Sheana Davis at Cook Vineyard Management, 19626 8th St. E in Sonoma. The $35 price gets you a wine and cheese tasting preceding the hands-on cheesemaking, and the class runs from 1-3pm. Contact CVM for more information and details, all ages are welcome to attend.
The following day, the 6th of the month, is All American Zin Day from 11am to 4pm in Dry Creek Valley. Enjoy the festivities at Kokomo, Martorana, Pedroncelli, Rued, and Family Wineries Co-op Tasting Room. Zin and Primitivo will be paired with delicious BBQ dishes throughout the day and locations. Tickets will run $55 for the festivities and includes a commemorative glass!
On the 13th of the month, Cline in Sonoma will be hosting the Dixieland Jazz Festival from 11am-6pm. Tickets are $45. You’ll get to see 15 live bands and pianists throughout the day, alongside enjoying great wine and food.
Laughter is a necessary part of life, and laughing with a good glass of wine, or 2, is even better. It reduces stress, strengthens your immune system, and improves your blood flow. So take some time on the 19th or 20th of July to head to the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa for the 4th annual Wine Country Comedy Fest. Rumor has it that the show on the 19th has a surprise special guest…
While these are some our highlights (you might just run into a few of us at some of these events), there are tons of other fun activities this month in wine country, check out your favorite venues and wineries event pages for more fun in the sun!