In addition to great food and wine, Napa and Sonoma wine country serves up some of the best music festivals in California. Coachella is overrated, dusty and too crowded – relax with a glass of wine in your hand while listening to some of the very same artists who perform at the large festivals. The other perk? Your proximity to hundreds of wineries. Music festival + wine tasting? Sounds like the perfect weekend to me.
Alright, let’s pump up the jams! Starting with the largest music festival in wine country..
Bottle Rock
I’m sure you’ve heard of this music festival as it is arguably the most well-known musical festival in Napa. BottleRock is a three day festival dedicated to the best music acts, top rated wines, and Michelin start restaurants set right in downtown Napa. Multiple stages dawn the fairgrounds and some really bigs names have played at past BottleRocks, in every type of genre, including Snoop Dog, Adam Levine, Bruno Mars, Tom Petty, Santana and many, many more! BottleRock is typically at the end of May.
Top tips when attending BottleRock:
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Bring layers – Napa can get cold at night, even in the summer!
- Bring a water bottle to fill up with free water
- If you want to sit while watching artists – bring a small blanket
Huichica
For those who are looking for something a little more family friendly, less people and overall just positive vibes, Huichica is a must. Huichica travels around to a few different locations on the West Coast but the wine country version is set at Gundlach Bundschu winery in Sonoma. There are three different stages and the artists are a little more folk and alternative, with some past artists including Real Estate and the Fruit Bats. Huichica is usually the beginning of June.
Top tips when attending Huichica:
- They aren’t as strict here – bring your blanket, snacks and tie die shirt
- Bring the kids! Very family friendly
- Buy a whole bottle of wine (yes, they sell by the bottle here!) rather than just a glass
Country Summer
Where are all my country fans at? Yeehaw! Pull up those boots and get ready to two step your way to some of your favorite artists, with past performers including Jake Owen, Tim McGraw and Old Dominion. If you choose to drink beer instead of wine at this music fest, I’ll let it slide. Country Summer’s venue is at the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa and includes multiple stages! Country Summer is typically at the end of June.
Top tips when attending Country Summer:
- It’s hot hot hot! Wear sunscreen
- Wear your best cowboy boots!
- Drink beer
Sonoma Harvest Music Festival
Wow! Probably one of the most gorgeous music venues I have ever been to. This two weekend music fest is set at the gorgeous B.R. Cohn winery in Glen Ellen. Sipping on rose while listening to talented artists while looking over miles and miles of vineyards – uh, does it get much better than that!? Sonoma Harvest Music Festival is like a mini BottleRock – it has all the great food and wine vendors, but just one stage. It’s more intimate, which I love. Past artists have included Iration, Death Cab for Cutie, Lauren Hill, etc. Sonoma Harvest Music Festival is usually mid September.
Top tips when attending Sonoma Harvest Music Festival:
- It can get really hot, wear a hat and sunscreen
- Bring a water bottle to refill
- Dusty walk from the parking lot – wear booties or tennis shoes
- Bring a blanket or towel to sit on
Live In the Vineyard
While this is a series of private concerts, there is a way to attend – by winning tickets! Live in the Vineyard hosts concerts multiple times a year, and recently added Live in the Vineyard Goes Country! Typically, other LITV concerts feature pop and alternative type artists. Very intimate, acoustic style concerts where you are very close to the artist + you get to sip on some of the best Napa Valley wines!
Top tips for Live in the Vineyard:
- Enter to win so you can attend!
Well there you have it folks! Now you know Napa and Sonoma wine country offers not only some of the best wine but some of the coolest music festivals! Which one do you plan on attending?
