Now in it’s fourth year, Pinot Days has firmly established itself as one of the largest and most exciting Pinot Noir events in America. If you enjoy Pinot Noir or are still trying to figure that out, this is an event that should not be missed.
Like many such events, Pinot Days occurs over the course of a long weekend, beginning sneakily on Wednesday, June 25th with a small winemaker dinner with cult pinot producer Kosta Browne. The festival kicks off for real on the 26th with a series of winemaker dinners at various restaurants around San Francisco. The festivities continue on Saturday with educational seminars, and the weekend finishes up with the main event: the grand tasting of 180 different producers from around the globe pouring more than 300 different wines. The tasting, as in past years, is heavily focused on California producers, but increasingly draws in participants from Oregon, Washington, New Zealand, and Burgundy.
For details on the various activities as well as a list of the producers who will be pouring their wines for the grand tasting, check out the event web site.
Pinot Days Grand Tasting
Sunday June 29th
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Festival Pavilion
Fort Mason Center
San Francisco
Tickets for the grand tasting are $65 and should be purchased in advance online, especially if you don’t want to stand in a long line at the event. Tickets for winemaker dinners and other activities range from $80 for the seminars to $150 for the dinners.
Parking at Fort Mason is easier now that it is a paid lot, but for large events like this, you’d be better off parking several blocks away and walking. Or better yet, taking public transport.
Like all such large public tastings, you will enjoy yourself more and learn a lot more by following my simple guidelines: get a good night’s sleep, wear dark clothes, come with a full stomach, drink lots of water, snack a little, and SPIT YOUR WINE!