CA State Fair Wine Garden Tips 2015
The California State Fair Wine Garden is conveniently located between buildings C & D, there’s easy access to the food area, and the Beer garden. Friends that don’t drink wine can easily join you.
Click Here for Summary Wine Judging Results
Click Here for the Complete results by Winery
Be aware that not all the wines that won awards are available. They appear to have a limited quantity of the wines, If you attend the Fair in the later weeks, you may find that the popular wines have sold out. There’s quite a bit of seating available; Octagon picnic tables, aluminum bistro tables & chairs as well as wine barrels, with and without special tops.
The wine garden is sponsored by SaveMart Grocery Stores. The counters are manned by volunteers. I believe they may all be Save Mart employees. They typically serve a four hour shift, and get into the State Fair for free. It’s common to meet a volunteer that is going to that day’s concert after their shift is over.
It appears there are some volunteers that have not had retail experience, therefore they seem to only be able to take care of one customer at a time. Be aware when you choose the line to stand in. some lines move faster than others. There will be a laminated list of the wines available on the counter. A taste which is basically a splash of wine is available for free, you are allowed several of them, just don’t abuse the opportunity. Once you find one that you like then you buy a glass or bottle of that wine. They will supply cheap little plastic glasses such as you would find at a young person’s wedding – the kind that the bottom stand falls off when you pick it up and don’t realize until you’re ready to put it down, or you can purchase a souvenir glass which is considerably bigger and obviously sturdier. The plastic ‘glasses’ are 5.5oz, the souvenir glass is 12oz. You’ll pay the same price for them to fill your 5.5oz glass as them to fill your 12oz glass, so you’ll get a much larger “pour” if you purchase the souvenir glass. A quick glance at the prices revealed that you can pay as low as $5 to $10 each. We bring along padded pouches to carry the glasses in, and use them year after year.
This year there’s ‘Flights Till Five’ for those that aren’t familiar – a flight is a series of wines – often in an order to be consumed. So I believe they’re doing this to get you in the Garden earlier. I recall seeing flights of 5 wines, 3oz pours for various variatals – ie a Flight of five Chardonnays for $18, I believe there were at least two others – a Cabernet Sauvignon, I don’t recall the other.
There are two booths that house the winery of the day. Yes there are two wineries of the day. Years ago there only used to be one. Again the tastings are free; you can also buy glasses and bottles from the wineries of the day. Quite often the glasses and bottles are a bargain, remember to get your souvenir glass first!
At the peak of summer remember to stay hydrated, the heat is working to dehydrate you, and you’re striving to enjoy nature’s bounty via the fermented grape, you are running headlong towards “over indulgence”. To fend off this condition, you must stay hydrated. Water is one of the best ways to stay hydrated. Bringing your own water is typically a burden people aren’t willing to take on, so you’ll probably be purchasing water there. Disani seems to have the market cornered; yes this is the “Coke” product that is bottled, purified tap water. You’ll find it typically priced at $3.00, sometimes for $2.50, lucky the cheapest place to purchase water is a short walk from the Wine Garden to the Farm area across from building ‘C’ for $2.00. The Farm area also sells fresh fruit and other healthy snacks.
Another way to fend off “over indulgence” is to eat. An empty stomach is a sure way to doom. Within the Wine Garden is a vendor that sells a cheese plate, a fruit plate, and meatball sliders. A short walk from the Wine Garden between building ‘D’ and the Horse arena is a vendor that serves corn dogs and snacks. At the far side of building ‘D’ is BBQ, there’s a separate booth that sells corn on the cob and smoked turkey legs, the standard both will sell you Tri tip sandwiches etc. Beyond that you can head through the floriculture display to “Food Row” where you can purchase almost any food imaginable!
Like most people we’re on a budget, we make sacrifices where we can and splurge on areas we find of value. We pack a small backpack with goodies; a large fresh tomato in a protective disposable container, hard (Parmesan or Gruyere) cheese – they hold up to the heat better than the softer cheeses, pistachio nuts, trail mix, smoked trout or salmon, crackers and or beef jerky. Make up your own selection. We also pack, paper plates, forks, napkins and a knife. Not long ago the security would thoroughly search your bag and wand you. As an old Boy Scout that always carries a pocket knife, that I’d have to leave in the car, that drove me crazy. Now it’s much easier. We’ve gathered our share of jealous glances, as we lay out our feast of fresh tomato, cheese, smoked trout, crackers, and nuts. We pull out our souvenir glasses and we’re ready to enjoy or selves!
Enjoy your selves at the California State Fair Wine Garden!