Discover the best things to do in wine country this harvest

Things to do in wine country this autumn

Harvest season turns Napa and Sonoma into a playground of color, cellar doors and one-of-a-kind gatherings. If you are mapping the best things to do in wine country, autumn is your moment. Expect limited-release tastings, vineyard brunches, grape stomps and intimate dinners that celebrate autumn harvest wine, all within easy reach when you have a home base in the valley.

Things to do in wine country during harvest season

Howell Mountain Harvest Celebration at CIA at Copia, Napa, November 8, 2025, with tastings from over 40 Howell Mountain wineries, chef-prepared bites and a silent auction. Advance tickets $175, door $350.
Fort Ross Harvest Festival, Sonoma Coast, October 18, 2025, featuring live music, wine and sea urchin tastings and guided tours at a historic state park.
Harvest Wine Trail, Sonoma County, September 13, 2025, with access to over 30 wineries across three valleys without reservations or tasting fees.
Pave the way for appreciating the harvest at chef-led brunches, grape stomps and olive mill tours across the region all season long.

Make Grove your Coombsville home base for quick drives to downtown tastings and late-season parties. Its dramatic great room, seamless indoor-outdoor flow and private wine cellar for your new releases make unwinding after a full day of harvest events effortless.

Grove in Napa places you close to downtown tastings and late-season celebrations, with a private wine cellar ready for harvest finds.

Sonoma coastal and valley celebrations

Sonoma’s calendar blends heritage and coastal flavor. At the Fort Ross Harvest Festival on October 18, 2025, sip wines with an ocean backdrop, sample sea urchin tastings and join guided tours at a landmark state park. A few weeks earlier, the Harvest Wine Trail on September 13, 2025 opens doors to more than 30 wineries across three valleys without reservations or tasting fees, with hands-on touches like tasting fresh grapes and learning to identify vines by leaf shape.

Golden rows of Sonoma vines highlight the energy of harvest season and set the scene for coastal festivals and valley tastings.

Positioned on West Dry Creek Road, Hollow places you among tasting rooms and bikeable vineyard roads. Between Harvest Wine Trail stops, regroup by the pool and plan dinner at a nearby cellar, keeping your day unhurried and close to the action.

Hollow in Healdsburg sits along West Dry Creek Road, ideal for Harvest Wine Trail access and relaxed poolside downtime between tastings.

Napa parties, brunches and olive mill tours

V. Sattui's Crush Party on October 17, 2025 features grape stomping, live music and tastings of over 45 wines, with general tickets at $185 and $150 for club.
Tamber Bey's Harvest Party in Calistoga on October 12, 2025 pairs live music and food with tastings of 2022 vintage red wines, tickets $95 per person.
Merryvale Profile Brunch on October 11, 2025 debuts the 2022 Profile and 2023 Silhouette wines with a multi-course menu by Chef Nash Cognetti, tickets $295 and $245 for club.
Round Pond Olive Harvest Celebration on November 15, 2025 includes an Olive Mill tour in action and fresh oil tastings, tickets $75 and $50 for club.

What to expect in Napa

For a cultured capstone, the Howell Mountain Harvest Celebration on November 8, 2025 fills CIA at Copia with tastings from more than 40 Howell Mountain wineries and a rare-wine silent auction. If you prefer a heritage setting, the Bale Grist Mill Harvest Dinner and Auction on September 20, 2025 pairs live music, local wines, seasonal hors d’oeuvres and a farm-to-table dinner to support restoration of the 179-year-old mill.Set just outside Calistoga, Bennett makes attending Calistoga and St. Helena festivities effortless. Host a relaxed post-event evening by the pool or around the fire after a day of wine tastings and brunches.

Bennett in Calistoga is an ideal base for Napa harvest parties and brunches, with resort-style outdoor spaces for effortless post-event gatherings.

Practical tips for peak-season weekends

Peak weekends fill quickly, so secure event tickets early and build in time between tastings.
Morning tastings highlight freshness in new releases, while afternoon sessions lean toward deeper reds and library pours.
Many events include open-air elements. Layers keep you comfortable from crisp mornings to warm afternoons.
Look for immersive add-ons like olive mill tours or chef demos to expand your autumn harvest wine knowledge.

Extend the day with Carneros After Dark, a stargazing and live music experience scheduled for Sunday, October 5, 2025. It transforms The Pavilion into a starlit setting, with telescopes from 8 to 10 PM and live music from 6 to 9 PM, a refined way to wind down after a day exploring the best things to do in wine country.

Hot air ballooning above Napa vineyards adds a sunrise perspective to a harvest weekend itinerary.

Why a Pacaso home changes the harvest experience

Owning a Pacaso gives you a ready-to-enjoy base when the calendar fills with can’t-miss things to do in wine country. With a designer kitchen for pre-dinner pairings, outdoor spaces for unwinding and a central location near top wineries, you can move at your own pace and make the most of each ticketed event, tasting or brunch.Ready to anchor your fall in wine country Details matter during harvest, and having a home nearby unlocks spontaneity. Explore current listings in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. For a deeper look at co-ownership, read What is co-ownership in real estate, compare models in Fractional ownership vs timeshare and estimate your budget with the Second home calculator.Note: This article was generated with the help of an AI agent and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and clarity.