Winter Wine and Spirits Events Abound in the Bay Area
As days shorten and nights grow cooler, wine lovers and spirits enthusiasts are gearing up for a festive season of sipping and merriment. From December 3 through February 21, numerous wine, beer, and spirit events will take place across the Bay Area.
Painting, Pints, and Poses
On December 3, Gilman Brewing Co. in Berkeley invites visitors to sip on craft beer while creating their own festive masterpieces with a Paint and Pints class (from $25). On the same day, Woodhouse Blending & Brewing in Santa Cruz offers Brewery Yoga at 6 pm, where participants can flow through a vinyasa session before indulging in local brews.
A Cabernet Franc Day
On December 4, Bankhead Theater in Livermore hosts a special event, with thirteen Livermore Valley wineries gathering to offer tastings, snacks, and souvenir glassware (from $95). Meanwhile, Dante Robere Vineyards will host a Holiday Charcuterie Workshop from 6-8:30 pm on the same day. Participants will enjoy wine pairings while learning how to style their own charcuterie boards.
Champagne and Jazz
A Champagne Christmas Party will be held at Dalé Vino in Pittsburg on December 6, complete with bubbly cocktails and live music from Project 4 Band (free, but paid table reservations encouraged). Kepler's Books is also hosting a Holiday Party on December 7, featuring cocktails, cookies, and 10% off all purchases.
Sipping, Sushi, and Cocktails
On December 17, Sushi Confidential in Morgan Hill will offer an Omakase meal with wine pairings from Sarah’s Vineyard (from $95). Meanwhile, Timber & Salt in Redwood City is hosting a Whiskey Tasting event from 6-7 pm (from $55).
Winter Wonderland and New Year's Eve Parties
In December, the Winter Wonderland event at Menlo Park will feature beer, wine, hot chocolate, and live music while offering snowman-building and Santa photo ops. In early January, Rios-Lovell Estate Winery in Livermore is hosting an Ugly Sweater Dance Party with 2000s and hip-hop tunes.
Holiday Sipping Events
Other notable events include a Sips of the Season wine tasting at Total Wine and More (from $20), a Paint and Sip night at Oakland United Beerworks (free), a Winter Market in Alameda featuring local vendors, handcrafted goods, and craft beer (from $50), and an Euro Christmas Gala with live music and dancing.
Capitola Village Sip and Stroll
The final event listed takes place on February 21, when Capitola Village will host its annual Sip and Stroll, where visitors can sample local beers and wines while exploring the shops and boutiques of Capitola (from $50).
Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or simply looking to get into the holiday spirit with friends, there's an event for everyone in this festive Bay Area calendar.
As days shorten and nights grow cooler, wine lovers and spirits enthusiasts are gearing up for a festive season of sipping and merriment. From December 3 through February 21, numerous wine, beer, and spirit events will take place across the Bay Area.
Painting, Pints, and Poses
On December 3, Gilman Brewing Co. in Berkeley invites visitors to sip on craft beer while creating their own festive masterpieces with a Paint and Pints class (from $25). On the same day, Woodhouse Blending & Brewing in Santa Cruz offers Brewery Yoga at 6 pm, where participants can flow through a vinyasa session before indulging in local brews.
A Cabernet Franc Day
On December 4, Bankhead Theater in Livermore hosts a special event, with thirteen Livermore Valley wineries gathering to offer tastings, snacks, and souvenir glassware (from $95). Meanwhile, Dante Robere Vineyards will host a Holiday Charcuterie Workshop from 6-8:30 pm on the same day. Participants will enjoy wine pairings while learning how to style their own charcuterie boards.
Champagne and Jazz
A Champagne Christmas Party will be held at Dalé Vino in Pittsburg on December 6, complete with bubbly cocktails and live music from Project 4 Band (free, but paid table reservations encouraged). Kepler's Books is also hosting a Holiday Party on December 7, featuring cocktails, cookies, and 10% off all purchases.
Sipping, Sushi, and Cocktails
On December 17, Sushi Confidential in Morgan Hill will offer an Omakase meal with wine pairings from Sarah’s Vineyard (from $95). Meanwhile, Timber & Salt in Redwood City is hosting a Whiskey Tasting event from 6-7 pm (from $55).
Winter Wonderland and New Year's Eve Parties
In December, the Winter Wonderland event at Menlo Park will feature beer, wine, hot chocolate, and live music while offering snowman-building and Santa photo ops. In early January, Rios-Lovell Estate Winery in Livermore is hosting an Ugly Sweater Dance Party with 2000s and hip-hop tunes.
Holiday Sipping Events
Other notable events include a Sips of the Season wine tasting at Total Wine and More (from $20), a Paint and Sip night at Oakland United Beerworks (free), a Winter Market in Alameda featuring local vendors, handcrafted goods, and craft beer (from $50), and an Euro Christmas Gala with live music and dancing.
Capitola Village Sip and Stroll
The final event listed takes place on February 21, when Capitola Village will host its annual Sip and Stroll, where visitors can sample local beers and wines while exploring the shops and boutiques of Capitola (from $50).
Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or simply looking to get into the holiday spirit with friends, there's an event for everyone in this festive Bay Area calendar.
. This winter stuff is lookin' pretty cool though - who doesn't love a good bottle of wine or a craft beer? 
. And hey, if you're feelin' artsy, the Paint and Pints class looks like a great way to spend an evening 
. 
). That's how I'd celebrate the holidays!
... I mean, I love wine and spirits as much as the next person, but can't they just have one decent and affordable option instead of so many overpriced ones? $95 for a Cabernet Franc Day? That's just steep, you know? And what's with all these 'Paint and Pints' classes 
... snowman-building and Santa photo ops sound like more of a holiday hassle than fun. And the 2000s and hip-hop tunes at Rios-Lovell Estate Winery? Who thought that was a good idea? 
but idk about the $95 ticket price... maybe ill stick to the free or low-cost ones 
and btw, who else is hyped for the Sips of the Season wine tasting at Total Wine and More? 
... just saw that Gilman Brewing Co is doing a paint and pints class and it sounds so much fun! 
. On the other hand, I wish they were more specific about what kind of paints they'll be using... like, will it be acrylic or watercolor? 
[www.spoonfulofcider.com](http://www.spoonfulofcider.com)
. I mean, think about how much energy it takes to heat up those wine cellars and power all the music systems. We need to be more sustainable in our celebrations. How about we make some of these events zero-waste or even carbon-neutral? 
That way, everyone can feel good about what they're doing while still having a great time.
We could have more inclusive events that celebrate our diversity and promote unity.
. Who's with me?
also can't wait for the champagne christmas party at dalé vino, who needs a fancy dress when you can just rock up with bubbly cocktails and jazz music? 
but idk which event to attend first tho maybe thats the point of it all - trying everything on this list lol
after a long day. i'm also loving the idea of a cabernet franc day with 13 livermore valley wineries coming together - it's like a wine lover's dream come true 
i'm thinking of signing up for the champagne christmas party at Dalé Vino and the whiskey tasting event at Timber & Salt too... who else is excited for these events? 
plus who doesn't love charcuterie boards? 
also really looking forward to the champagne christmas party in pittsburg, live music and bubbly cocktails is my idea of holiday magic 
. And don't even get me started on the Wine and More tasting event - $20 for a few sips of wine? No thanks.
. I mean, who doesn't love sipping on some bubbly champagne 
. I've always been fascinated by all the different types of wine and spirits, so events like Cabernet Franc Day 
. I mean, who needs a New Year's Eve party when you can have a Cabernet Franc Day? 
And what's up with all the paint and sip classes? It sounds like everyone's getting crafty while drinking wine 
meanwhile, who else is loving the idea of brewery yoga? 
i mean, flow through a vinyasa session and then indulge in local brews? yes please! 
. On the flip side, some of these events seem like so much fun - who wouldn't want to sip on craft beer while creating art 
. But, at the same time, it's great that there are so many options for people to celebrate the season with friends and family 
. I just wish some of these events were more... well-rounded? Like, maybe a wine tasting followed by a cooking class or something 
.
Not just wine tastings, but beer pairings, brewery yoga, and even a Cabernet Franc Day? It's like a mini-vacation from reality for our taste buds 