Wine Festivals in September 2026

A cultural-culinary hybrid at the magnificent Esterházy Palace in Burgenland: 12 days in September combining classical, jazz, and Balkan Roma music with Burgenland wine tastings in the palace's baroque gardens. The historic Esterházy estate surrounds the venue, and Burgenland — Austria's sunniest wine region — produces powerful reds (Blaufränkisch) and luscious sweet wines (from the Neusiedlersee fog). A luxury wine-and-music experience for the discerning traveler.

A two-day harvest celebration at one of the world's oldest and largest monastic wineries — Klosterneuburg Abbey, founded in 1114, operates 108 hectares of vineyards in the Danube wine country just 12km from Vienna. The Weingutsfest opens the historic monastery cellars for tastings of Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and red blends, with cellar tours and abbey tours included. Intimate scale, extraordinary setting.

One of Europe's most original wine events: on one September weekend, Vienna's winemaking districts open their Heuriger (wine taverns) along four scenic hiking routes through the city's own vineyards. Route signs lead hikers through Neustift, Nussdorf, Stammersdorf, Ottakring, and Mauer — the only major European capital that produces wine within city limits. A perfect blend of outdoor Vienna and authentic local wine culture.

Cyprus's most beloved annual celebration and one of the Mediterranean's oldest public wine festivals — now in its 64th edition. Held each September in Limassol's leafy Municipal Gardens, all Cyprus wineries participate and tickets include unlimited wine tasting for the evening. Commandaria (the world's oldest named wine, referenced since 800 BC) is always poured here. Live music, traditional dancing, and local meze complete the experience.

One of Central Europe's most atmospheric wine events: the annual harvest festival set in the Royal Garden of Prague Castle on the first weekend of September. Czech and Moravian producers from both Bohemia and Moravia pour their wines against the backdrop of one of the world's most complete medieval castle complexes. The 18th edition in 2025 combines wine discovery with free castle garden access and live cultural programming.

The Garden of England opens its vineyard gates for a weekend trail linking over 20 Kent wineries. Visitors follow self-guided routes through the Weald and Downs, sampling still and sparkling wines at each stop. Chapel Down, Hush Heath, Biddenden, and Gusbourne are among the participating estates. Local food producers, live music, and vineyard picnics complete the experience.

The world's most convivial marathon winds through 59 prestigious Médoc châteaux, with wine and food stations instead of energy gels. Runners dress in elaborate costumes and the route passes through some of Bordeaux's greatest vineyards. The atmosphere is more carnival than competition.

A centuries-old ceremonial harvest proclamation by the Jurade brotherhood, held from the top of the Tour du Roy in the medieval village of Saint-Émilion. The ceremony includes inductions of new members and a public proclamation of the harvest, followed by open-air tastings and festivities throughout the village.

Rtveli — the Georgian grape harvest — takes place across the Kakheti wine region (60km from Tbilisi) from September through October, offering immersive farm-stay experiences where visitors harvest Rkatsiteli and Saperavi grapes, tread them barefoot, and fill qvevri alongside winemaking families. This is less a festival and more a living cultural tradition — the harvest season is the most authentic way to experience Georgia's 8,000-year wine heritage.

Georgia's ancient grape harvest (rtveli) is a communal family tradition in the Kakheti wine region. Families and guests participate in picking, treading grapes in traditional qvevri (clay vessels), and feasting at supra banquets with polyphonic singing. An 8,000-year-old winemaking tradition made accessible to visitors.

Officially the world's largest wine festival, drawing over 700,000 visitors to this Palatinate spa town since 1417. Despite the name 'Sausage Market,' wine is the star — 300+ varieties from local growers flow across two weekends under massive festival tents. The Dürkheimer Riesenfass (world's largest wine barrel) alone is worth the trip.

The Middle Mosel's largest wine festival, set in the picture-postcard half-timbered town of Bernkastel-Kues. For five days each September, the town's medieval market square transforms into an open-air wine bar, with over 40 Mosel Riesling producers pouring. Fireworks over the river and a festival parade are highlights.

Five days of Mosel Riesling celebration in Germany's most picturesque wine town, where the half-timbered Marktplatz sets a fairy-tale backdrop for three stages of live music and wines from 20+ top Mosel estates. The coronation of a new wine queen, a grand Sunday procession through the medieval alleyways, and floating wine boats on the Mosel make this the Mosel's most theatrical festival.

Three days each September when around 30 Nemea wineries simultaneously open for visits and tastings of Agiorgitiko — Greece's most important red grape, producing wines that range from light rosé to profound, age-worthy reds. The opening symposium 'The Symposium of Angels' frames the weekend's explorations, and winery access normally unavailable to tourists becomes freely granted. A must for anyone discovering Greek wine.

For 34 years, Hungary's premier wine showcase has gathered 200+ producers to pour 1,000+ wines inside Buda Castle — one of Europe's most dramatic festival settings. Overlooking the Danube and the Chain Bridge, it combines serious Hungarian wine discovery (Tokaj Aszú, Egri Bikavér, Villány reds) with theatrical cultural programming across the castle's baroque courtyards. The most important public wine event in Central Europe.

A grape harvest celebration in the heart of Piedmont's Barolo DOCG zone. The weekend features vineyard walks, open-cellar tastings at top producers, truffle hunts, and a grand palio-style procession through the hilltop village. An authentic, non-commercial experience in one of Italy's greatest wine villages.

Montefalco's annual celebration of Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG — Italy's most tannic grape variety, produced in tiny quantities in the Umbrian hills. The village streets fill with producers pouring both Sagrantino Secco and the traditional Passito sweet version, alongside local olive oil and black truffle.

Panzano in Chianti's intimate September festival, where the village's legendary producers — including Dario Cecchini's famous butcher shop — host open tastings in their cellars and on the piazza. A deeply authentic, village-scale event that feels more like a neighbourhood party than a wine fair.

Slow Food's biennial global gathering in Turin brings together 7,000+ food and wine producers from 140 countries. The wine section, curated by Slow Food's wine programme, features hundreds of natural, biodynamic, and artisan Italian producers alongside a global selection. The largest food-and-wine event in the world by producer count.

Madeira's annual wine harvest festival takes over Funchal and the island's vineyards throughout September. Highlights include grape-treading at Câmara de Lobos, folkloric performances, live music on the waterfront, and tastings of Madeira's unique fortified wines. The backdrop of Atlantic ocean and volcanic mountains is unforgettable.

The Douro Valley's official harvest festival in Peso da Régua, celebrating the ancient grape-treading tradition in granite lagares. Visitors can join the treading, taste ports and Douro reds, cruise the river, and enjoy live fado music. The terraced vineyard scenery along the Douro River is spectacular.

In the hills of northeastern Romania, Cotnari celebrates a winemaking tradition stretching back to the 15th century. This harvest festival focuses on the famed Grasa de Cotnari dessert wine and the Tămâioasă Românească aromatic variety. Vineyard walks, traditional Moldavian cuisine, and folk performances make it a genuine rural wine experience.

Held in the medieval citadel of Sighișoara, this festival showcases wines from the Târnave, Lechința, and Alba Iulia sub-regions of Transylvania. Over 40 local producers pour indigenous varieties like Fetească Albă and Fetească Regală alongside artisan foods. The UNESCO World Heritage setting makes it one of Romania's most atmospheric wine events.

The medieval walled town of Laguardia celebrates the Rioja Alavesa harvest with grape-stomping, traditional txalaparta music, wine tastings in the centuries-old underground cellars beneath the town, and a harvest-queen crowning. The stunning setting — perched on a ridge with vineyard views — makes this one of Spain's most photogenic harvest festivals.

Canada's most organic wine valley — 80% of Similkameen producers farm organically or biodynamically — celebrates its harvest with an autumn cellar door weekend. Small family-owned wineries like Clos du Soleil, Orofino, and Eau Vivre open their doors to visitors who want a less commercial alternative to the Okanagan. The dramatic canyon landscape of the Similkameen River adds a rugged character.

Atlanta's signature festival of Southern food, wine, and community returns to The Home Depot Backyard for four days celebrating 200+ celebrated chefs alongside top sommeliers, mixologists, and spirits producers. The expanded Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods are the centerpiece, but intimate cooking demos and Smoke & South sessions with pit masters add distinctive Southern character. The definitive event for understanding the modern South's extraordinary food-and-beverage scene.

Chicago's premier food and wine festival occupies the Harris Theater Rooftop at Millennium Park each late September, drawing James Beard Award winners and top chefs for four days of themed culinary experiences. The centerpiece Grand Cru event pairs acclaimed cuisine with fine wines and spirits in ticketed afternoon and evening sessions, while other events include Hamburger Hop, Tacos & Tequila with Rick Bayless, and Rise & Shine Gourmet brunch. With the Bean and cloud gate as backdrop, it is as much a signature Chicago experience as a food festival.

The largest wine festival in the Southwest US, GrapeFest transforms Historic Main Street in Grapevine into a four-day celebration of Texas wine culture each September. The centerpiece is the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic — the largest consumer-judged wine competition in the Southwest — alongside an International Wine Experience, Rosé Rendezvous, and Champagne Terrace. With 200,000+ attendees, live entertainment on four stages, a carnival midway, and boutique shopping, it is a full family festival wrapped around serious wine culture.

Sonoma County Vintners' premium charity auction event, anchored by a Friday welcome reception and Saturday live auction at a prestigious Sonoma winery venue. Now evolved from the historic Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, this is the region's premier charity wine event, raising funds for Sonoma County nonprofits. The VIP access lots include private winery experiences rarely available to the public.

A beloved two-day outdoor festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck celebrating 25+ years of Hudson Valley wine, food, and craft beverages. With 200+ vendors spanning regional wineries, breweries, distilleries, and artisan food producers, it captures the full breadth of the Hudson Valley's agricultural bounty. The riverside setting and autumn foliage make it one of the most scenic wine festivals in the Northeast.

The professional wine trade fair of South America, held in Bento Gonçalves, the heart of Brazilian wine country. Over 300 exhibitors from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and international producers present to trade buyers. Technical seminars, winemaker panels, and innovation showcases focus on the future of South American wine. An essential event for understanding Brazil's wine industry beyond the tourist trail.

Constantia, South Africa's oldest wine estate region and Cape Town's backyard wine valley, hosts an annual September tasting event where six premium wineries — Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Steenberg, Eagles' Nest, and Constantia Glen — open their cellars simultaneously. The historical significance of Constantia wine (Napoleon's favourite Vin de Constance) adds depth to a beautiful setting.

Held in the Yoichi wine district outside Sapporo, this festival highlights Hokkaido's rapidly growing wine scene. Cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Kerner, and Zweigelt thrive in Hokkaido's terroir, often compared to Germany and Alsace. Local seafood pairings — uni, crab, and scallops — make this a unique gastronomic wine experience.

The ancient Phoenician coastal town of Batroun hosts this celebration of its emerging wine district. Wineries like IXSIR, Atibaia, and Adyar pour wines grown in the limestone hills above the Mediterranean. The festival's seaside setting, fresh seafood, and blend of local and international visitors make it one of Lebanon's most relaxed wine events. Batroun is increasingly recognised as a serious wine terroir.

Lebanon's heartland wine region — the Bekaa Valley — celebrates its grape harvest with open-cellar days at major estates including Château Ksara, Château Kefraya, and Domaine des Tourelles. The Bekaa's unique terroir at 1,000m elevation, with 300 days of sunshine and cool nights, produces distinctive reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and indigenous varieties. Harvest picnics in the vineyards with panoramic views of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains are the highlight.