Winter Wineland
Jan. 16 & 17

More than 100 wineries are participating in the 18th Annual Winter Wineland along the Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County. Sip on limited production wines and meet with local winemakers. Plan ahead and order your tickets online to save on the ticket price. Advance online tickets are $40 for the weekend, $30 for Sunday only and $10 for designated drivers. At-door prices are increased by $10. These prices include wine tastings at all of the participating wineries. Online sales begin Nov. 16. Take this opportunity to tour the wineries in Sonoma County and choose from over 50 hotels in the area. The Vinters Inn is located in the heart of wine country with sweeping views of the vineyards.

Russian River, Calif., 800-723-6336, www.wineroad.com

South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Feb. 25-28

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival hosts events for everyone. There are daytime events, evening events, family events, dinners and wine and spirits seminars. This Food Network Festival is presented by Food & Wine magazine and showcases legendary winemakers, spirit producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Head down to South Beach for a flavorful festival you won’t forget. The Catalina Hotel has a great modern flare and Hotel Victor offers rooms and suites with terrific views of the ocean.

South Beach, Fla., 305-627-1646 (ticketing), www.sobefest.com

Charleston Wine & Food Festival
March 4–7

The Charleston Wine & Food Festival enhances Charleston’s culinary reputation with offerings of low country cuisine and some of the nation’s best chefs and wine professionals. Historic plantations, landmarks and gardens lure in the crowds for this festival. Kick your shoes off and stay a while at the recommended location of the DoubleTree Guest Suites or the palatial Planters Inn in the historic district.

Charleston, S.C., 843-727-9998, www.charlestonwineandfood.com

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Mar. 12-23
One hundred of Melbourne’s top restaurants are presenting special menus of Aussie cuisine. Sample delicious dishes and sip on regional wines and drinks. This international festival started in 1993 with just 12 events. Today the festival hosts more than 200 events with food and wine experts from around the world as well as the top chefs, authors, purveyors and winemakers from Down Under. The Hotel Windsor is a charming historic hotel downtown and the Grand Hyatt Melbourne offers a more modern feel with great views of the city.

Melbourne, Australia, www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au

Pebble Beach Food & Wine
April 8–11

This four-day event is host to a handful of celebrity chefs and over 250 wineries along the pristine California coastline. The Pebble Beach Food & Wine festival brings you luxurious lunches, divine dinners, unique cooking demonstrations, wonderful wine tastings and one of the most decadent grand tastings in the country. Last year’s festival included celebrity wine and food specialist Ted Allen along with Iron Chef Cat Cora and “Top Chef’s” Tom Colicchio. The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero are all great accommodations with easy access to the festival’s events.

Pebble Beach, Calif., 866-907-FOOD, http://www.seemonterey.com

Scottsdale Culinary Festival
April 13-18

This festival kicks off with the Great Arizona Picnic, featuring Cooks and Corks, a two-day event showcasing demonstrations from well-regarded chefs from Bravo’s “Top Chef” and starts from the Food Network. Don’t miss seminars from wine expert Brian Duncan and mixologist Milo Rodriguez. And stop by the Beer Garden for more than 200 specialty beers. For a top-notch home away from home, visit the contemporary Hotel Valley Ho or the Montelucia Resort & Spa.

Scottsdale, Ariz., 480-945-7193, www.scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org

Real Food Festival
May 7-10

Experience the UK’s top chefs in action. Many people don’t think of the UK as a culinary leader, but these talented chefs are proving otherwise. This festival brings the farm to your plate. With everything from water buffalo to chicken, you’re destined to find some unique dishes you’ll love. The Real Food Festival focuses on organic foods and fresh ingredients. Visit England for cookery workshops, chef demonstrations and tasting sessions you won’t want to leave behind. The Kensington Hotel offers fantastic rooms and suites with great style and comfort.

London, England, www.realfoodfestival.co.uk

Paso Robles Wine Festival
May 21–23

Experience delightful artisan foods complementing more than 400 wines from more than 90 wineries in Paso Robles Downtown City Park along California’s Central Coast. This festival celebrates the simple pleasures of wine, food, music and good company. For a weekend of relaxing wine tasting and heavenly cuisine, visit this quaint California town with your friends and family. For a great place to stay, Hotel Cheval offers a comfortable atmosphere just off the historic town square.

Paso Robles, Calif., 800-549-WINE, www.pasowinefest.com

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
May 25–29
Check out the Crescent City’s five-day food and wine extravaganza. The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience combines world-renowned winemakers, masterful chefs and industry insiders to celebrate New Orleans’ best wineries and restaurants. Spring is a perfect time of year to visit this historic city and New Orleans’ top hotels are offering several package deals during the festival. The Astor Crowne Plaza is right on Canal and Bourbon streets in the French Quarter and the InterContinental New Orleans hotel is another great place to stay, located just a few blocks from Canal Street.

New Orleans, La., 504-529-WINE, www.nowfe.com

Food & Wine Classic
June 18–20

Presented by Food & Wine magazine, The Classic features wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, featured speakers and a cooking competition. Common visitors to this event include Giada De Laurentiis, Mario Batali, Gail Simmons and Michael Symon, just to name a few. The St. Regis Aspen Resort has stunning views and spectacular rooms and suites with a warm ambience.

Aspen, Colo., 877-900-WINE, www.foodandwine.com/ext/classic

Planning a Trip to California’s Wine Country?
Want to experience your own culinary journey through California’s wine country? This month, Area-Daily.com releases its first-ever downloadable destination guide to Napa & Sonoma, offering savvy travelers the latest information on where to sleep, eat, drink and play in a convenient, digital format. Live links make it possible to book hotel rooms, dinner reservations and more at the click of a button from your laptop, iPhone or SmartPhone, while an easy navigation bar makes browsing a snap.

Download it today at www.area-daily.com