With wine and chocolate events kicking off the 2025 wine season, here is a rundown of upcoming wine related events in Contra Costa County and beyond.
Many local wineries recently did very well in the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — which includes wineries from Contra Costa County, the Livermore Valley and Lodi region.
Will continue to add to this list, but here is a quick look at what is upcoming this year in 2025:
February 15 – Martinez Wine & Chocolate Stroll
Join Downtown Martinez for an unforgettable afternoon at the “I (heart) Downtown Martinez Wine & Chocolate Stroll” on February 15 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate love and friendship as you indulge in the exquisite combination of 25+ wines and delectable chocolate treats from various local businesses. Wander through the charming streets of downtown Martinez, discovering hidden gems and supporting local businesses along the way. Each business will have its own unique offerings, making every stop a delightful surprise. — more information + tickets.
February 15 & 16 – Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Join them on February 15 & 16 as we celebrate the 28th Annual Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend, a celebration full of Lodi’s renowned wines paired with handmade chocolate. This is their signature passport-style event. Enjoy a selection of Lodi’s renowned wines and delicious chocolate treats as you embark on a self-guided tour between more than 30 participating wineries. Must be 21+. No ticket is required for designated drivers — more information + tickets.
February 22 – Contra Costa Winegrowers Association Vintners Dinner
Join the Contra Costa Winegrowers Association for its Vintners Dinner on February 22 at **Hannah Nicole Vineyards for an evening of exquisite wines and delicious food pairings. Immerse yourself in the rich flavors of Contra Costa wines as you enjoy a multi-course dinner specially curated to complement each wine selection. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts and learn more about the local wine scene. Don’t miss out on this unique culinary experience!
- Featuring nine wines and eight courses.
- Appitizer Experience starts at 5:00 PM
- Dinner is served at 6:00 PM
For more information + tickets, click here
March 1 & 2 – Mardi Gras Celebration at Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg
Mardi Gras Celebration at the Old Sugar Mill! Gear up to experience a day filled with vibrant colors, lively music, delicious food and wine from 14 different wineries. Saturday, March 1st and Sunday, March 2nd for a weekend long event from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Live Music
- Wine Tasting at 14 Wineries
- Entertainment
- Beads
A festive celebration like no other, let’s come together to enjoy the spirit of Mardi Gras. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to celebrate with friends and family at the Old Sugar Mill! RSVP to let us know your coming to receive a complimentary souvenir wine glass upon arrival. Admission is complimentary. More information
March 22 & 23: Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend
Discover Wine Tasting as it Should Be during the Livermore Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend, a celebration of exceptional winemaking and friendly hospitality. This immersive event invites you to explore the flavors of the Livermore Valley while savoring exclusive barrel samples and bottled wine tastings from some of the region’s finest wineries.
On March 22nd and 23rd, participating wineries will open their doors, each offering barrel samples and bottled wine samples, giving you a glimpse into the past, present, and future of their handcrafted creations. The event spans a variety of locations, with each winery showcasing its unique style, character, and dedication to the craft of winemaking. Over 20 participating wineries include beloved local favorites such as McGrail Vineyards & Winery, Darcie Kent Estate Winery, and Wood Family Vineyards, alongside boutique gems like 3 Steves Winery and Pruett Farms Winery, full listing of wineries is below. In addition to world-class wine, select wineries will feature live music to enhance your experience. Enjoy performances by talented local artists such as Jim Remy, Love Quinn, Carman Hammond, and the Matt Finders Jazz Trio as you sip and savor. — more information + tickets
March 23 – Contra Costa Winegrowers Association Wine Trolley Tour
Meet the winemakers, vintners, and sample wines from barrels and bottles. Take the opportunity to purchase futures and bottles for your very own wine cellar. The best way to enjoy this beautiful wine country is aboard the wine trolley. Trolleys loop around to stops every 20 minutes, and last pick up is at 4:45 p.m..
- Must be 21+/over to attend. No pets allowed.
- Tickets are purchased by selecting your starting location.
Five Locations for Tasting:
- Brentwood’s Co. Co. Wine Company
- Hannah Nicole Vineyards
- Serendipity Cellars
- McCauley Estate Vineyards
- Nunn Family Vineyards
Trolley Ticket includes: Wine Tasting with eight different wineries at six different locations, “Hop on Hop Off” Shuttle to Local Wineries, safe traveling & no hassle parking, souvenir glass, tote, live music, small bites and more. Additional food will be available for purchase. Select your tickets by the starting location. To purchase tickets: Click Here
April 26 & 27: Clayton Art & Wine Festival
Annual CBCA Clayton Art & Wine Festival in downtown Clayton. Stroll down Main Street and enjoy arts & crafts vendors while sipping your favorite wine or beer. Stop by the food court for a host of different foods. The little ones will have a blast in the kids play zone. Live music throughout the weekend. More information + tickets
May 3 – Amador Four Fires Food and Wine Festival
Amador Four Fires, a unique food and wine experience, blends open-flame outdoor cooking by renown local chefs and tastings from Amador’s wine varietals inspired by four celebrated wine regions: Rhone, Italy, Spain, and Heritage California. Held at the expansive and historic Amador County Fair and Events Center with a park like setting in a real, historic Gold Rush era backdrop. Enjoy over 100 award-winning wines that have received 90 points or more, received gold medals, and small lot or reserve wines that you can only taste in Amador. Along with tasting great wine, event goers will get the chance to enjoy locally crafted beer from Amador Brewing, on-site wines offered by the glass, wine sale specials, silent auction, as well as sample local purveyors, and more. For more information + Tickets
May 10: Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Fair
Join Celebrate Antioch Foundation for an afternoon of Art, Handmade Crafts, Wine Tasting and Live Music. This is a free & fun, family-friendly event. This event is free to the public, but to participate in the wine tasting the cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. You must be at least 21 years of age and provide a photo ID — more info coming soon.
May 31 – June 1: Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival
The Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival has attracted a broad and loyal audience for 41 years. Fun for the entire family, the annual kick-off to the Summer festival draws 40,000 + attendees from all over the Bay Area. Festival goers fill the park to enjoy arts and crafts and commercial vendor booths, festival foods, a wide range of wines, a craft beer garden, continuous live music, children’s activities, and more in a beautiful park setting in Walnut Creek. The 2025 event will move six miles further into the heart of our downtown while our previous location at Heather Farm Park undergoes construction for a new aquatics center. — more information
Sept. 20-21: Lafayette Art & Wine Festival
The Lafayette Art & Wine Festival is perhaps the largest annual festival in Contra Costa County. In 2024, over 85,000 people strolled among the booths of art and handmade crafts, enjoying foods from our local restaurants, food vendors and food trucks as well as quality wines and microbrews, pausing to enjoy continuous music from our four stages. More info
For more upcoming events, visit our Contra Costa News Events calendar.
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