Lompoc Wine Events: A Year-Round Calendar

The Santa Rita Hills wine calendar follows the rhythms of viticulture — bud break in spring, the anxiety of vintage in fall, the patience of barrel aging in winter. But winery events and public tastings run throughout the year. Here's how the calendar breaks down for visitors planning a wine-focused trip to Lompoc.

Spring: Release Season

March through May is new release season for the prior year's white wines and some early-bottled reds. Many wineries host wine club release parties and open-to-public tasting events during this period. These events often pair the new releases with seasonal food and feature winemaker Q&As. Spring also brings the first warming days that make outdoor vineyard events pleasant.

Summer: Wine Walks and Extended Hours

Lompoc's summer months see the most tourism traffic. The Lompoc Wine Walk — a ticketed, self-guided event that includes pours at multiple participating locations — typically runs during summer. Tasting rooms extend their hours on Friday and Saturday evenings, and winery patios and outdoor seating areas come fully alive. Summer is also the most popular season for winery picnics, with several estates providing grounds for al fresco dining.

Fall: Harvest Season

Harvest typically begins in September for early-ripening varieties and extends into October for Pinot Noir under the marine influence. This is the most exciting time to visit — the physical activity of harvest, the smell of fermenting must, and the year's outcome being determined in real time. Several wineries offer harvest internships or volunteer crush experiences. Harvest dinners and winemaker tasting events during this period often feature barrel samples of the current vintage.

Winter: Barrel Tastings and Intimate Events

Winter in Lompoc wine country is quiet in the best sense. Tasting room crowds thin, winemakers have more time to talk, and the cellar work that happens between harvest and bottling is accessible to interested visitors. Several wineries offer barrel tasting experiences during this period — tasting wines straight from the barrel before they've been finished, blended, or released.

Planning Around Events

The most reliable way to catch major wine events is to join wine clubs at your favorite producers — members get first notice and priority access to release parties and special tastings. For non-members, the Santa Barbara Vintners Association website lists major regional events. Lompoc Locals posts local event announcements as they're available.