Missed BottleRock in Napa this year? No problem.
There's still plenty of wine and music coming together at these nine Wine Country music festivals, taking place between Paso Robles and Sonoma this summer. Look out for diverse acts including Thievery Corporation, Kacey Musgraves, The B52s, and ZZ Top. Happy Summer!
Gundlach Bundschu Winery's Huichica Music Festival (June 7-8)
(Courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu)
Every summer, Gundlach Bundschu puts on the intimate Huichica Music Festival (pronounced wah-CHEE-ka). Taking place amongst the winery's historic vineyards, 30-plus indie and folk acts perform on four stages over two days. This year's event, taking place June 7-8, brings together up-and-comers like Lee Fields & The Expressions, Fruit Bats, and Lumerians. Local food vendors will be on site and the wine will be flowing. Tickets range from $55-155, but if you can't make Huichica, you can still get a taste at various (((folkYEAH!))) concerts put on throughout the rest of the year. // Gundlach Bundschu Winery: 2000 Denmark St. (Sonoma), gunbun.com
If you go: Grab breakfast at Boxcar Fried Chicken (formerly Fremont Diner) on the way over. Spend the weekend at the idyllic MacArthur Place, located within walking distance of the Sonoma Plaza and a quick drive to Gundlach Bundschu, and dine at the hotel's brand new Mediterranean restaurant, Layla.
Mountain Winery's 2019 Season (Through Oct. 11)
(Courtesy of Mountain Winery)
At the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the century-old Mountain Winery pairs live music with far-reaching mountaintop views in a Colosseum-esque venue. The 2019 concert season runs from May 25 to October 11, with acts like MC Hammer on June 7, Sublime with Rome on June 19, and The B52s on August 12. Tickets start at $29, and some options include fine dining while you rock out. // Mountain Winery, 14831 Pierce Rd. (Saratoga), mountainwinery.com
If you go: The beauty of Mountain Winery is that it isn't surrounded by, well, anything. While it's not the easiest place to plan an overnight, The Hakone Gardens, one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the Western Hemisphere, is a popular nearby attraction that you can visit before the show.
Rodney Strong Vineyards' Summer Concert Series (June 22 through Sept. 7)
(Courtesy of Rodney Strong)
This Healdsburg winery is one lap around the sun short of its 30th anniversary of its Summer Concert Series. Get tickets now for an acoustic performance by Alanis Morissette on June 22, Rick Springfield on July 14, and The Beach Boys on September 7. Tickets start at $89, or you can purchase a four-show package starting at $282. Sip Rodney Strong wines by the glass or bottle and nosh on food from local vendors. // 11455 Old Redwood Hwy. (Healdsburg), rodneystrongconcertseries.com
If you go: Book a night on the Healdsburg Plaza at the new and architecturally-stunning Harmon Guest House and pre-game with cocktails atop their rooftop terrace. Treat yourself the next morning to a massage at the spa at Hotel Healdsburg, peruse the boutique shops along the Healdsburg Plaza, or take a winery bike tour through Dry Creek Valley with Wine Country Bikes.
Robert Mondavi Winery's Summer Concert Series (Starting June 29)
(Estefany Gonzalez photo)
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series, proof that the Mondavi's were pioneers in both California wine and wine hospitality. Kicking off June 29 at Robert Mondavi Winery with St. Paul & The Broken Bones—plus an epic post-concert fireworks show—this year's lineup also boasts The Struts, Thievery Corporation, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Matt Nathanson. Tickets start at $75, but we recommend splurging for the VIP dinner. // Robert Mondavi Winery, 7801 St Helena Hwy (Oakville), robertmondaviwinery.com
If you go: Book a room in St. Helena at the luxurious and ultra-modern Las Alcobas or the charming and cozy Harvest Inn. Arrive earlier in the day and go wine tasting; nearby Sequoia Grove and Sinegal Estate are lesser-known gems without the crowds. Fuel up between tastings with the Rutherford Grill French dip (expect a wait on weekends).
Wente Vineyards' Summer Concerts (July 30 through Aug. 20)
(Courtesy of Wente Vineyards)
The oldest continuously operated, family-owned winery in the country is back with its outdoor summer concert series in Livermore, featuring roughly a dozen acts between July and September, like Styx (July 30), Daughtry (August 8), and REO Speedwagon (August 20). Tickets start at $79, but if you're willing to splurge, your evening can include a buffet meal. // Wente Vineyards, 5050 Arroyo Rd. (Livermore), wentevineyards.com
If you go: Head to Livermore early to grab dinner, a glass of local wine, and a game of bocce ball at Campo di Bocce before the concert.Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery Concerts (May through Oct.)
(Courtesy of Vina Robles)
If you've been thinking about planning a weekend in Paso Robles wine country, book it around one of the summer concerts at the Vina Robles amphitheatre. A stacked lineup of twenty acts between June and October includes Sublime with Rome (June 18), Counting Crows (August 10), Kacey Musgraves (August 24), and ZZ Top (August 25). The venue also has two bars and a bistro serving up a selection of pizzas, burgers, and appetizers. Tickets start at $31 and premium seating is available. // Vina Robles, 3800 Mill Road (Paso Robles), vinaroblesamphitheatre.com
If you go: Book a stay in downtown Paso Robles at the charming Hotel Cheval and grab a nightcap after the concert at the local speakeasy Eleven Twenty-Two. During the rest of your stay, reserve a wine tasting at Parrish Family Vineyard and then drive across the road to Re:Find Distillery (the cucumber vodka is killer). Explore Tin City, an industrial marketplace full of restaurants, tasting rooms, a pasta factory, and more, and don't leave without checking out Paso Robles' epic field of lights art exhibit, Sensorio.
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery's Friday Night Music Series (May through Oct.)
(Courtesy of Sebastiani Vineyards)
Start your Wine Country weekend at Sebastiani for their Friday Night Music Series with tunes in their courtyard or stunning tasting room from a different local band or artist (Poyntlyss Sistars and T Luke and the Tight Suits, anyone?) each week, May through October. On the last Friday of the month, food trucks roll into Sonoma for Sebastiani's famous Food Truck Friday; on the other weeks, you're encouraged to pack your own picnic. This event is family and dog-friendly. Free admission, wine and food available for purchase. // Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery, 389 Fourth St. East (Sonoma), sebastiani.com
If you go: Settle onto the Sonoma Plaza for the weekend at a historic landmark—the Sonoma Hotel or El Dorado Hotel—or if you're seeking Victorian-era opulence, the Ledson Hotel. Grab lunch the next day at The Girl & the Fig (we're obsessed with the Mano Formate BLT with pickled green tomatoes), sip bubbly from all over the world at Sigh, a classy bubbles bar, and reserve a tasting at the country-chic Sojourn Cellars, best known for their stellar, single vineyard pinot noir.
Sonoma Harvest Music Festival (Sept. 14-15 and 21-22)
(Courtesy of Sonoma Harvest Music Festival)
The producers of BottleRock Napa Valley didn't want Sonoma feeling left out, so they started the Sonoma Harvest Music Festival at B.R. Cohn Winery in Glen Ellen. Founded by Doobie Brothers band manager Bruce Cohn, the winery has long hosted great outdoor concerts under the olive trees planted on the estate's 90 beautiful acres. For the festival's second year, they're taking things up a notch a la Coachella with two weekends (September 14-15 and 21-22) and two different lineups. The lineups will be announced on June 10—last year's headliners were The Avett Brothers and The Head and the Heart—and tickets go on sale June 12. Be aware that they may sell out quickly, for the Sonoma Harvest Music Festival is like a mini-BottleRock without the crowds, limited to roughly 3,000 attendees a day. // B.R. Cohn, 15000 Sonoma Hwy. (Glen Ellen), brcohn.com
If you go: Book a room at the quaint, yet contemporary Olea Hotel. Make an early appointment at Hamel Family Wines, about a mile south of B.R. Cohn. You'll have a hard time deciding what you love more about this place: the gorgeous, modern architecture, stunning vineyard views, or the fantastic wine (the unique Isthmus blend is our favorite). Or, take a morning hike through Jack London State Historic Park, which recently reopened the House of Happy Walls museum with all-new exhibits about the adventures of Jack and Charmian London.
Safeway Open (Sept. 23-29)
(Courtesy of the Safeway Open)
If you're a golf fan, plan a Napa trip September 23-29 for the Safeway Open and watch Phil Mickelson and other PGA Tour golfers duel it out on the green. As a bonus, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday finish with an outdoor concert (free to pass holders) in front of the Silverado Resort & Spa's historic mansion. Rob Thomas will conclude the concert series on Saturday night and while the other two acts have yet to be announced (look for the news to drop in June), previous performances include Weezer, Billy Idol, and Third Eye Blind. // Silverado Resort, 1600 Atlas Peak Rd. (Napa), safewayopen.com
If you go: Try first snagging a room at the Silverado Resort & Spa. It's where all of the action takes place and you'll never even need an Uber. Otherwise, post up in downtown Napa at one of the many hotels, like the Andaz or Napa River Inn. You'll have your pick of dining, bars, and tasting rooms all within walking distance, but if it's been a while, check out the new kids on the block: Mayacamas and Alpha Omega Collective.
