Think harvest is the best time to visit California wine country? Think again. In addition to lower hotel rates, the region’s roster of festival and events continues into the winter season. Upcoming events include:

• Lodi Wine and Chocolate Weekend (Feb. 7–8) Forty Lodi Wine Country wineries join in a weekend of wine and chocolate delights. Each winery hosts activities including barrel tastings, blending classes and live entertainment.
• 10th Annual Wine Fantasy in February, Santa Barbara County (Feb. 13–16) Fans of Santa Barbara’s Santa Ynez Valley will enjoy this lively four-day passport weekend. Participants can visit 16 tasting rooms to taste reserve, estate and library wines and rub elbows with winemakers and winery owners.
• Madera Wine Trail’s Wine and Chocolate Weekend (Feb. 14–15) Sample a wide variety of local wines, paired with gourmet chocolate treats, live music, local art and delicious cuisine.
• 37th Annual Barrel Tasting Weekends, Northern Sonoma County (March 6-8 and March 13-15) Pack a picnic lunch and head for one of more than 130 participating wineries in the Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys, where you can taste and talk to winemakers about current and future samples.
• World of Wine Barrel Tasting, Temecula Valley (March 7–8) Wineries of the Temecula Valley open their cellar doors March 7-8 for guests to enjoy a bevy of wines at this annual two-day event. Guests can enjoy a self-guided wine country tour that takes them to wineries offering a diverse variety of wines from the barrel, tank and bottle, paired with scrumptious bites.