More than 200 wines will be poured from some of California’s most esteemed, small-production wineries at the celebratory Garagiste Fest July 11.

Summertime equals wine tasting events in Los Angeles. As it's before harvest, winemakers are out in full force pouring. The Garagiste Wine Festival Urban Exposure (other festivals editions are produced in the Central Coast) showcases winemakers who produce less than 1,500 cases of wine annually. On July 11, the festival takes over the historic Art Deco Wiltern Theatre; 56 garagiste winemakers are expected from across California, including 12 from Napa, Sonoma, Monterey and Anderson Valley.  

The phrase garagiste (pronounced gar-uh-zhe-stuh) comes from France’s Bordeaux wine region and refers to small-production winemakers, sometimes working in their “garages” (basically anything not a chateau). The Garagiste Wine Festival is dedicated to bringing these undiscovered, artisan winemakers, whose production is limited, to a wider audience. Approximately 200 wines are available to taste: seek out Santa Barbara’s C Nagy, Falcone and Tercero wineries amongst the offerings. Proceeds from the festival are donated to the Cal Poly Wine and Viticulture Program. Tickets are $99 (£63) for VIP tasting; $69 (£44) for the Grand Tasting.

Ideal For

Tasting wine, wine knowledge, socializing