Best Upcoming Wine Events In L.A.

Angelenos know how to throw a good party, and wine parties are no exception. Whether you're a vino newbie or a longtime connoisseur, there are lots of great events coming up throughout the city that you won't want to miss. Red or white, sparkling or flat, there's a class, tasting, or event for every wine on the spectrum. Get ready to clink glasses at one of these fun and informative events - salute!

Napa/Sonoma All-Stars Wine Tasting
The Olympic Collection
11301 Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
www.wallywine.com
Date: April 17, 2015

Wally's Beverly Hills' sixth annual Napa/Sonoma All-Stars Wine Tasting is back, and will once again be featuring some of the most highly-respected wine producers in California. Nearly 150 wineries will be represented, with many of the winemakers in attendance. Wally's Chef David Feau and Jenny from Wally's Cheese Box will team up to serve tasty bites alongside the wines, as well iconic cheese producer Cowgirl Creamery. For your sweet tooth, Morning Glory Confections will bring specialty brittles to pair perfectly with those red wines, and for your entertainment, keyboard artist David Arana will provide music. The event runs from 1pm - 4pm, and is $75 online ($100 at the door).

Mr. Big Stuff Tasting
Wine Expo
2933 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica 90404
(310) 828-4428
www.wineexpo.com
Dates: March 25 & 26, 2016 - Ongoing tastings every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Wine Expo is Santa Monica's fun and friendly wine shopping destination, celebrating over 20 years of "Diversity, Food Friendliness and Value for Money." In addition to selling wine at a great price, the shop offers lots of fun events throughout the year. The last weekend of March, Wine Expo presents their Mr. Big Stuff Tasting, with ten of their best wines for just $20. On an ongoing basis, every Monday and Thursday, Wine Expo invites you to taste 20 diverse wines for just $20. Touted as the best deal in town for wine lovers, this event features different choices every week so connoisseurs can survey the multitude of wines they offer. From new releases to old favorites, wines are poured off the bar in a fun, party atmosphere. Wednesdays are also a great day to head to the store as live acoustic music is played in the bar from 7:00pm - 9:00pm, and extended happy hour prices are offered to guests who make a $5 donation to the artist performing.

Heritage Fine Wines
9400 South Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 888-8042
www.heritagebeverlyhills.com
Dates: March 26, April 23, May 28, 2016

On the fourth Saturday of every month, Heritage Fine Wines offers wine enthusiasts a different class and tasting. March 26th, Chardonnay from internationally renowned wine producing commune Mersault will be presented, including top producers Tessier, Grivault, and Fichet. April's "Red, White, & Rose" on the 23rd will dive into how the three wines are made in completely different ways, and how every winemaker has their own unique method and style. "Year of the Winemaker" will be May's class on the 28th, and will help you gain a new appreciation of the passion, love, and time that goes into creating the wines we know and love. In every class, sommelier and manager Rosemary West will talk you through the wines being presented, address the specific theme for each class, and guide you through tastings. For each event, your ticket gets you six 2oz wine tastings, a 10% discount on in-store purchases of wines featured in the class, and other class materials.

Benzinger Wine Dinner
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
www.aquariumofpacific.org
Date: April 7, 2016

If you're wondering which wine pairs best with fish, the answer is all of them when you're talking about the Aquarium of the Pacific. Enjoy an elegant evening of cuisine and fine wines from Sonoma's Benzinger Winery inside Southern California's largest aquarium. Set against the stunning backdrop of the aquarium's three-story underwater kelp forest, this wine dinner is unlike any other. Chef Ken Stewart will be serving up an innovative menu, including: Grilled Escarole Plank with Tobiko, Sustainable Salmon Cake, Potato Gnocchi with Mushroom Ragu, Pork Belly Luxardo Cherry Skewer, Filet Mignon Roulade, and Chocolate Flourless Cake. Each item will be expertly paired with the perfect Benzinger wine, and will showcase the winery's focus on sustainable, green practices, including organic farming and water conservation. Aquarium members get $10 off the ticket price.

Purisima Wines
Rosso Wine Shop
3459-1/2 N Verdugo Rd.
Glendale, CA 91208
(818) 330-9130
www.rossowineshop.com

Date: April 8, 2016. Ongoing tastings every Friday and Saturday.
The pair behind Purisima Wines, Joey and Sara Gummere, will be sharing their insights and answering questions about their wines tonight at the bar from 5pm - 8pm. Enjoy small bites along with pours of their newest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir while they chat about them for $20. The shop also offers a Weekend Wine Flight every Friday and Saturday evening from 5pm - 8pm. For a very reasonable $10 you can try three wines, with a new wine theme each week. Specializing in everyday wines from Italy, France, Spain, and California, you're sure to get a great mix of Old World favorites and domestic gems.

Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance Event
The Wine House
2311 Cotner Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90064
(310) 479-3731
www.winehouse.com
Date: April 11, 2016

Celebrate one of California's smaller AVAs (short for American Viticultural Area, a designated wine grape-growing region), as the winegrowers from Sta. Rita Hills come together for this special event. Increasingly one of the most renowned areas in the greater Santa Barbara wine producing region, Sta. Rita Hills enjoys the ideal weather combination of marine layer and afternoon ocean breezes that create the perfect environment for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool climate wine grape varieties. Over 20 wineries from the area will be on hand to present their wines and answer questions. Tickets are $45, but don't go solo, because if you buy two or more, they're only $39.50. Tickets get you tastings, passed appetizers, and a Sta. Rita Hills glass to take home.

The Taste of the Valley
Westfield Topanga
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(818) 704-1358
www.valleycultural.org
Date: April 21, 2016

Over 90 wineries and breweries will come together for the San Fernando Valley's largest wine tasting and food festival. A huge 20,000 square foot garden venue will be set up at on top of the Macy's parking structure for the event. Along with the wines and brews, more than 30 restaurants will provide top notch cuisine. Tickets are $55 ($65 at the event ), and include all the tastings you can eat and drink. Proceeds benefit the Valley Cultural Center, providing programs and events throughout the San Fernando Valley.

wineLA's Wine Camp
Eat Drink Americano
923 East 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.winela.com
Dates: April 10 & 23, 2016, May 7,2016 June 5, 2016 and July 10, 2016

wineLA takes going to camp to a whole new level with their popular Wine Camp. The two-hour session is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about new trends in wine, how to purchase it, and how to best enjoy it. Gain confidence and a new appreciation for everything that goes into winemaking while you take your love of wine to the next level. Learn the history of wine and how it's made, how to properly taste it, how to serve it, and how to perfectly pair it with food. Along the way, taste seven great wines, using your newfound skills to enjoy them like a pro. Wine Camp will leave you with everything you need to know to be a happy camper.

STARS of California
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 551-2888
www.winela.com
Date: May 25, 2016

California is home to a pretty great wine region. From the Sonoma Coast and Napa Valley, to Santa Barbara and Temecula, the Golden State brings lots of great vino to the table. Tonight, some of California's best will be represented at the STARS of California event, held at the beautiful luxury hotel Peninsula Beverly Hills. With wines ranging from bold Pinot Noirs to light Zinfandels, the event is a chance to appreciate the diversity of California wines. During the evening, hors d'oeuvres will be tray passed, and a silent auction will take place, with proceeds benefiting leukemia, cancer, and AIDS research foundation T.J. Martell Foundation. General Admission and VIP ticket options are available.

Grande Marque Champagne Event
Le Merigot Beach Hotel
1740 Ocean Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.wallywine.com
Date: June 5, 2016

Get ready for the Southland's #1 champagne and food event of the year. Now in its 24th edition, the Grande Marque Champagne Tasting at Le Merigot Hotel is excited to bring you the best in bubbly. Dom Pèrignon, Krug, Salon and Cristal will be among the nearly 100 champagnes and sparkling wines poured. Almost 20 restaurants will offer signature dishes to accompany the drinks, including Drago Centro, Melisse, Pastina, and more. Cafe del Rey also returns with their raw oyster bar. Sweet pairings will be provided by Bar Cacao Chocolates, treats from Wally's Cheese Box, and La Colombe Coffee. Live music by The David Arana Quartet and a silent auction for several great items round out an evening to remember. The cost is $175 per person ($225 at the door), with proceeds benefitting the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation and Food on Foot.