5 San Francisco Holiday Wine Events Not to Miss
As humans recover from the harsh mental health impacts of the pandemic, this year’s holiday season brings about an enormous need for reconnecting and socializing — with friends and family both in our homes and in public settings. And there’s almost nothing more exemplary of this need than the Bay Area’s response to offer intimate wine events this holiday season. From cozy walk-around tastings in smaller wine-bar style settings to communal family-style dinners, don’t miss these celebratory events that make trekking to the City worth it this December.
DECANTsf Winter Fête
December 9 | 6:00–9:00pm
($150/person, visit here for tickets)
This walk-around style tasting event at DECANTsf will feature favorite sparkling wine selections from co-owners Cara Patricia and Simi Grewal coupled with caviar curated by The Caviar Company. This event brings together one of the most classic pairings in wine — sparkling and caviar — and promises a luxury evening spent in good company with an abundance of geeky wine talk. Since its opening, this women- and queer-owned bar, bottle shop and education space in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood has become a go-to destination for wine enthusiasts of all kinds.
DECANTsf will also be hosting additional holiday events this season, and also offers a host of goodies in their holiday gift guide.
Rutherford Dust Society Cabernet by the Bay
December 7 | 4:00–7:00pm
($125/person, visit here for tickets)
Napa Valley’s Rutherford Dust Society brings together the best from the appellation in their Cabernet by the Bay tasting at the St. Francis Yacht Club. The event will showcase the Rutherford appellation wines and allow guests to mingle with Napa Valley winemakers and fellow connoisseurs, while tantalizing their taste buds with food pairings by the St. Francis Yacht Club chef. This is a great event to stock your cellars for the holiday season and beyond.
Arlequin Wine Merchant Holiday Champagne Tasting
December 8 | 5:30–8:00pm
($80/person, visit here for tickets)
Get to know Méthode Champenoise at this Holiday Champagne Tasting that will feature 33 different grower-produced Champagnes — an esteemed style of Champagne that denotes it was grown, vinified, and aged by one grape grower/family. From working the vineyards to harvesting the fruit to handcrafting the wines in-house, Grower Champagnes offer top quality because a single grower’s vision is cultivated from grape to glass.
Dorian’s 5th Annual Cab & Slab Dinner
December 22 | 7:00–10:00pm
($95, visit here for tickets)
For those looking for a more unique wine experience this holiday season, look no further than Dorian’s 5th Annual Cab & Slab Dinner — a highly anticipated annual event that brings people and wine together for a night of surprising wines and delicious food. This is a family-style meal where seating is communal and each guests brings a bottle of Cabernet to share, and Dorian’s takes care of all the food — serving up a multi-course dinner with nine tantalizing dishes.
IAMA Picasso Paint and Sip with Yijun Ge
December 2 | 6:00–8:00pm
($25/person, visit here for tickets)
The International Art Museum of America (IAMA) is welcoming back its Paint and Sip Nights just in time for the holiday season. In this event, guests will paint their own Picasso masterpiece under the guidance of artist and live instructor Yijun Ge. Learn basic painting techniques while painting and sipping fine wine during this night of creativity. No experience necessary — just come to have fun!
