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Shale Oak Winemaker Curtis Hascall to Pour at Festival of Undiscovered Grapes (February 27, 2026)
“Curtis Hascall will be behind the table at the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes on March 28 in Los Angeles, pouring Shale Oak wines and talking with anyone curious about what makes Paso Robles different from everywhere else.” National Law Review
Read MoreFestival of Undiscovered Grapes Celebrates Successful San Jose Debut, Returns to Los Angeles for Third Year This March (February 18, 2026)
“The decision to expand to San Jose was intentional, and the response confirmed it was the right choice,” said Allison Levine, founder and producer of the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes. “The level of curiosity and engagement from attendees showed a strong appetite for discovery-driven wine experiences in the Bay Area, and we’re excited to build on that momentum.” Wine Industry Advisor
Read MoreFestival of Undiscovered Grapes Celebrates Successful San Jose Debut, Returns to Los Angeles for Third Year This March (February 18, 2026)
"The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, recently named the #2 Best Wine Festival in the U.S. by USA Today 10Best, has successfully completed its first-ever San Jose event, marking an important milestone in the festival's continued expansion beyond Los Angeles." BevNet
Read MoreThe Festival of Undiscovered Grapes – January 31st, 2026 (February 7, 2026)
"It’s still very early in the year, but I’ll go out on a limb and say that this will be one of my favorite wine tasting events of 2026. There certainly won’t be anywhere else that I’ll be able to taste California wines made from Prieto Picudo, Terret Noir, Arinto, St. Laurent, and Xarel•lo all in one afternoon! There we so many terrific wines from varieties that are not widely-planted in California, made by producers from all over the state. The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes will be coming to Los Angeles in late March, so if you didn’t make to the tasting in San Jose, don’t miss the one in LA. From what I’ve heard, the San Jose event was a big success, so I expect that it will be back again next year – I’m already looking forward to it!" - Ken Zinns, Grape-Nutz
Read More10 + 10 Favorites and Takeaways from the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes (February 4, 2026)
"With 66 wineries and hundreds of wines to try, the inaugural Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, held at the Rotary Center in downtown San Jose, was abuzz with energy and variety. Attended by almost 400 eager wine explorers, it was almost overwhelming in scope. The well-produced program depicted each participant along with their stories, and there was a small VIP Passport booklet, filled with complimentary tasting offers. Organizer, Allison Levine, produced a rather hefty order sheet that listed the wines being poured, all of which were available for purchase." Laura Ness, Edible Monterey
Read MoreFestival of Undiscovered Grapes - Truly a Magnificent Event (February 1, 2026)
"Attended Saturday, January 31st, the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes in San Jose. This was their inaugural event in Northern California, and it was a smashing success with approximately 400 attendees. The event featured the “other 7%” of grapes produced rather than the pedestrian 93% which consumers regularly purchase, i.e., Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. Instead, this event provided consumers with the opportunity to taste wines such as Teroldego, Cinsault, Marsanne, Cabernet Pfeffer, etc. It was a great experience to meet “new friends” both in person and the new liquid ones!" - Michael Kelly, California Wines & Wineries
Read MoreFestival of Undiscovered Grapes comes to Silicon Valley (January 28, 2026)
"Nine varieties make up 93% of the total wine-grape plantings in California. and wine drinkers can probably name them all easily. But what about the other 7%? More than 100 varieties comprise that group — and those are the wines that industry expert Allison Levine sought to highlight when she created the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes two years ago in Los Angeles. The festival will come to the Bay Area for the first time Saturday, Jan. 31, with tastings from noon to 5 p.m. at the Rotary Summit Center in downtown San Jose. This year’s Southern California event is scheduled for March 28 at Mica Studios in Los Angeles. “These wines aren’t just relics of the past. They are vibrant, relevant and full of potential,” Levine said in announcing the San Jose festival. “Our goal is to introduce people to what’s possible beyond the usual handful of California varieties.” More than 65 wineries will be pouring such rare varieties as Aligote (Terah Wine Co.), Clairette Blanche (Absolution Cellars), Teroldego (Ridge Vineyards), “Kid Sister” Zweigelt (Trail Marker Wine Co.), Vaccarese (Tablas Creek Vineyard), Touriga Nacional (Alamitos Vineyards) and dozens of others. General admission tickets, $75, include a three-hour tasting from 2 to 5 p.m., a guidebook with maps and a one-time delivery fee of $20 for any wine ordered at the event (fee waived for purchases of 12 bottles or more). The VIP tickets, $125, include a pre-tasting discussion about Lodi, which Levine says is the epicenter of California’s hidden grape diversity, as well as early admission to the tasting and free delivery of all wines ordered. Details: Doors open at noon for VIP ticket holders; the general admission tasting starts at 2 p.m. Food will be available for purchase. The event will be held in the Scott’s Seafood Ballroom of the Rotary Summit Center, 7th floor (top floor), 88 S. Fourth St,, San Jose, Onsite parking garage offers 90 minutes of free parking. Tickets: https://festivalofundiscoveredgrapes.com/" - Linda Zavoral, The Mercury News, Bay Area News
Read MoreCalifornia wines sweep 26th annual SF Chronicle Wine Competition and Festival of Undiscovered Grapes coming to San Jose Jan 31 (January 19, 2026)
"Speaking of oddball grape varieties, my wine colleague Allison Levine has organized a festival to give wine lovers access to flavors beyond the usual. The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, to be held for the first time in the Bay Area, will take place Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Rotary Summit Center in San Jose, on the seventh floor of 88 S. Fourth St. Over 60 wineries will pour oddballs like valdiguie, carignane, ruche, cinsault and gamay noir." - Laura Ness, Mercury News
Read MoreWho's Organic at the Jan. 31 San Jose Festival of Undiscovered Grapes? 14 Wineries to Try (January 16, 2026)
"After a name change from the Festival of Forgotten Grapes and launching last year in LA, this new wine festival is growing and adding an additional, new venue in San Jose. It’s also been renamed Festival of Undiscovered Grapes." - Pam Strayer, Organic Wines Uncorked on Substack
Read MoreDrink Adventurously At the Festival Of Undiscovered Grapes: January 31, San Jose, CA (January 15, 2026)
"Life is simply far too short to drink Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and the other such “usual suspects” all the time. The beauty of the wine world can be found (to a large degree) in its staggering diversity of grape varieties, each offering its own unique flavor and aromatic profile. Which is where the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes comes in." - Alder Yarrow, Vinography
Read MoreFestival of the Undiscovered Grape (January 14, 2026)
"Bay Area foodie friends, today, I get to share with you a new wine festival coming to San Jose! The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes (FOUG) has expanded to Northern California after two years of success in Los Angeles. One of my wine friends co-runs this festival and I love the concept! Why? Because as an average consumer with a special interest in wine, I relish hearing about new-to-me grape varieties. The first few years of wine exploration introduce folks to merlot, zinfandel, chardonnay, and the handful more grapes that most vineyards devote their plantings to and most consumers drink. But I quickly found myself intrigued by the unfamiliar grapes in a blend, the ones that add smoothness or boost the floral notes but rarely get their own time in the spotlight." - Rebecca Gomez Farrell, The Gourmez
Read MoreForget Dry January, Discover New Wines in January! (January 14, 2026)
"One exciting event called starting out the year is “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” that will be held in San Jose on Saturday, January 31st. The event will take place at the Rotary Summit Center, 88 South 4th Street. The event will feature 60+ producers and more than 100 unique wines. Think of 2026 the year of discovery tasting wine varieties you may not be too familiar with such as Teroldego, Cinsault, Marsanne, Semillon and many more. While California grows more than 100 grape varieties, only 9 account for 93% of the “standard wine choices"." - Michael Kelly, California Wines and Wineries
Read MoreSpotlight on Undiscovered Grapes (January 13, 2026)
"Just in time for the much-anticipated end of the odd phenomenon known as “Dry January,” comes a fetching festival to give wine lovers access to flavors beyond the usual trifecta of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry." - Laura Ness, Edible Monterey
Read MoreSip the Unexpected at the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes (January 12, 2026)
"Tired of the same old wines? Sure, we love our Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, but there is a vast array of other wines yet to be discovered. Cue The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes! More than 60 wineries pouring rare and lesser-known varieties from California (where more than 110 unique wine grapes are cultivated) will be present in San Jose and Los Angeles." - Cindy Rynning, Grape Experiences
Read MorePopular Local Supermarket Closes (January 13, 2026)
"You’ve seen me write about the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes over the past few weeks. 60+ Wineries, all are boutique small producers, and they come from some of California’s best wine regions. Case in point, Paso Robles - one of my absolute favorite wine regions. Paso wineries in attendance include Absolution Cellars, Alta Colina, Brecon Estate, Derby, Giornata, McPrice Myers, Tablas Creek, and many more!" - Rebecca Navarro, Tri Valley Explorer
Read More40 Things To Do this Weekend (January 8, 2026)
"One of the featured regions at this year’s event is Lodi. You all know I’m a Livermore gal at heart, but Lodi is another area I genuinely enjoy exploring. It’s home to some incredibly cool boutique wineries, several of which will be pouring at the festival — including Bokisch Vineyards, Harney Lane Winery, Acquiesce Winery, PRIE Winery, Anaya Vineyards, Drava, Heleje Wine Co. Intercoastal, Kinetic Cellars, m2 Wines, Perlegos Family Wine Co. and St. Amant Winery." - Rebecca Navarro, Tri Valley Explorer
Read MoreIce Cream For Christmas + New Wine Festival You Can't Miss (December 23, 2025)
"If you’ve ever walked the wine aisle and felt like you’re seeing the same grapes over and over, you’re not wrong. There are thousands of grape varieties grown around the world and more than 110 planted right here in California — yet just nine grapes dominate 93% of all California wine production. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir… you know the list. But what about the other 7%? That’s where the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes comes in." - Rebecca Navarro, Tri Valley Explorer
Read More“Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” Redefines California Wine Culture with Bold Expansion (August 6, 2025)
"A Wine Festival Unlike Any Other Is About to Change Everything. The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about events in the world of wine. This rising star in the festival circuit is doing more than pouring wine; it’s reshaping the narrative around what we drink and why. With its bold 2026 rebrand, a second city added to the lineup, and an immersive experience tailored for adventurous palates, the festival is setting a new standard in California wine culture—one where “undiscovered wine grapes” are front and center." - Daily Ovation
Read More'Festival of Forgotten Grapes' Named One of the Nation’s Best Wine Festivals - Announces New Name, New City & 2026 Dates (August 6, 2025)
"While 'forgotten' captured the idea of overlooked varieties, 'undiscovered' better expresses the excitement of uncovering something new," says festival founder Allison Levine, a wine writer, educator, event planner, and longtime advocate for diversity in wine. "These wines aren't just relics of the past; they are vibrant, relevant, and full of potential. Our goal is to introduce people to what's possible beyond the usual handful of California varieties." - Wine Business
Read More'Festival of Forgotten Grapes' Named One of the Nation’s Best Wine Festivals - Announces New Name, New City & 2026 Dates (August 5, 2025)
"After just two years, The Festival of Forgotten Grapes has captured national attention and the palates of curious wine lovers. The event was recently named the #2 Wine Festival in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, a significant recognition for a young, independent festival with a bold mission: to celebrate the wide world of lesser-known wine grapes. Now, as the festival matures, it is evolving. Beginning in 2026, the event will be known as The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, a shift that reflects the spirit of curiosity and exploration at the heart of the experience." - Wine Industry Advisor
Read MoreBest things to do in Los Angeles and Southern California: March 28 - 30 (March 27, 2025)
"And who needs cabernet sauvignon when you can try a sémillon or a nebbiolo from right here in California? The Festival of Forgotten Grapes celebrates California wines that sometimes get overlooked for their mass-appeal siblings. Do your best Paul Giamatti in Sideways impression, but don’t you dare try to find a merlot." - LAist
read moreThe best things to do in Los Angeles this week (March 24, 2025)
"Under-the-radar varietals get their day in the sun at this festival dedicated to unique wines." -TimeOut Los Angeles
read moreWhat To Do In Los Angeles This Month (March 19, 2025)
Angeleno Magazine listed The Festival of Forgotten Grapes as "What to do in Los Angeles this month".
read moreA Big List of Things To Do This March in L.A. [2025]
WeLikeLA listed The Festival of Forgotten Grapes as one of the things to do in March 2025!
read moreThe Festival for ‘Neglected’ Grapes Returns to Los Angeles
"I was impressed with the scope, diversity, and quality of producers at last year’s event, and do not expect to be disappointed this year. " -James Brock, Mis en Place
read moreForgotten No More: The Festival of Forgotten Grapes returns to Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, March 29, to celebrate California's hidden-gem wine varieties
"Allison Levine, president of Please the Palate, and Chris Kern, founder of the Forgotten Grapes Wine Club, are thrilled to announce the second annual Festival of Forgotten Grapes on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Mica Studios in Los Angeles's Boyle Heights neighborhood."
read moreForgotten No More: The Festival of Forgotten Grapes Returns to Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, March 29 to Celebrate California’s Hidden-gem Wine Varieties
"After a successful inaugural event last year, Levine and Kern are excited to once again shine a spotlight on wine grape varieties that are often “forgotten” in the world of California wine and showcase an impressive group of wineries championing these lesser-known grapes."
read more2024 Festival of Forgotten Grapes - Discovering California's Lesser Known Grape Varieties
"All in all, 2024’s Festival of Forgotten Grapes featured many amazing wines. Most importantly, however, it shone light on hundreds of dozens of special grapes, inspiring wine lovers to explore and appreciate all kinds of new wines. Given that this year’s event was the first of many, we’re excited to see how the festival continues to grow." -Briana Hall, Working Wines
read moreThe Festival of Forgotten Grapes: Wine event debuts in late June for enthusiasts
"A new wine festival is arriving in LA this month...The one-day event features over 100 different wine varieties grown in the state alone."
read moreMark Your Calendars: California’s Forgotten Grapes Come to LA
"Palomino. Carnelian. Souzao. If you read those words and think, “grape varieties,” I applaud you. If, however, the words are unfamiliar, I suggest you get a ticket to The Festival of Forgotten Grapes," James Brock, Mise En Place
read moreThings To Do This Week in Los Angeles [6-10-2024 to 6-14-2024]
"Sure, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are household names, but have you explored Semillon, Cinsault, Teroldego, Nebbiolo, and Marsanne? Enter The Festival of Forgotten Grapes, a vibrant celebration dedicated to the “underdog” varietals that make California wine so uniquely diverse."
read moreDrink Differently and Taste Boldly at the 1st annual Festival of Forgotten Grapes on Saturday, June 29th in Los Angeles’ Downtown Arts District
"Founded on the principle that there are hundreds of unique, unknown, and delicious wine grapes grown in California, despite the fact that just nine grape varieties make up 93% of the total wine production in the state, the Festival of Forgotten Grapes exalts the passionate winemakers and producers of these uncommon wines and introduces wine lovers to a diverse array of wines in a fun, casual, intimate environment."
read moreDrink Differently and Taste Boldly at the 1st annual Festival of Forgotten Grapes on Saturday, June 29th in Los Angeles’ Downtown Arts District
"The inaugural Festival of Forgotten Grapes will feature over 30 wineries from wine regions across California, including the Sierra Foothills, Lodi, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties."
read more