In September, ripe grapes hanging heavy on the vine, golden fall sunshine and air filled with fruity aromas can mean only one thing: it's time for harvest! To launch the harvest season, wine regions and wineries across the Golden State will celebrate the 9th annual September California Wine Month—organized by California's Wine Institute.

From innovative wine immersion experiences to cool wine events, September is an ideal time to visit wine country, when the creative energy of California's artisan winegrowers and winemakers meet the grapes and the process of producing the next great vintage begins.

From Sept. 1-30, 2013, dozens of wineries in wine regions across California will host special consumer events and experiences celebrating the contributions of the state's growers and vintners who are committed to earth- and people-friendly sustainable practices in vineyards and wineries.

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Can't make it to wine country this fall? A great way to experience many of California's wine regions in one stop is Wine Institute's "California Wines Road Trip" multi-region tasting events in New York City and San Francisco in September. In New York City, Friday the 13th will be a lucky day for wine lovers who can sample wines at California Wine Merchants from 5-7:30 p.m.

Later in the month, they can attend a ticketed New York City tasting event with more than 70 wines from 10 California regions at the Astor Center on Monday, Sept. 16 from 6-8 p.m. (click here for information and tickets); and enjoy in-store tastings that will take place throughout September across Manhattan and Brooklyn. In San Francisco, wine lovers can taste their way across the state's regions on Saturday Sept. 21 from 2-5 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Ferry Building, following its popular farmer's market (click here for information and tickets).

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