Jump to:
Utah is ranked as the 30th most populous state in the United States with a population of approximately 3.33 million as of July 2021.
Its location on the southwestern side of the US does not make it ideal for grape and wine producers.
However, there are 11 wineries registered in Utah offering a wide variety of wines such as Tempranillo, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, and Carignan, all of which are well suited for the region’s natural environment including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.
Due to its limited wineries, wine festivals in Utah are limited and there are only a few on offer that you will want to check out. The wine festivals blend well with the artistry, cultural diversity, and the human spirit of the state.
Although most festivals were canceled during the Covid epidemic, most are back to normal and open for business.
The Top Wine Festivals in Utah
Utah Wine Festival Cedar City, Utah
Utah’s most popular and premier wine festival is held annually around September in Cedar City, Utah. The 2022 festival was held between 2 and 4 September. The festival is highly regarded for its wine and culinary experiences.
Not only does it showcase the best wines from the wineries but also the unique culinary creations of Utah’s best chefs.
Utah Wine Festival offered its first experience in 2019 to enable the incredible wineries and vineyards that Utah to show off their submissions.
It offers a Wine & Popcorn Pairing that is normally held at 6:00 pm on the first day of the festival followed by the most popular Canned Cocktails of Utah at 7:30 pm. Event sizes are kept small to provide a personal touch and a pleasurable experience for everyone attending.
Hosts Jim Santangelo and David McCurdy provide a pleasurable and educational experience on how to pair various popcorn flavors with specific wines.
Furthermore, they present a fun experience of pairing wines with Utah’s best-canned cocktails.
Tickets are sold online, and the 2022 event sold out rapidly at $45 per event.
Cedar City is one of the most populated cities in the state, located in the southwestern corner of Utah. Its location is 250 miles south of Salt Lake City and 170 miles north of Las Vegas.
Other interests that the city is well-known for are the home of Southern Utah University, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Summer Games, and the Simon Fest Theatre Co.
Cedar City area’s historical value is borne out by the rock art dating to CE 1000 and 1300.
May through September are the hottest months in Utah, with record-high temperatures of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit being measured. This is the ideal time for the festival to keep your thirst quenched.
Park City Wine Festival
The second largest wine festival in Utah is The Park City Wine Festival where master winemakers and culinary experts offer their best to distinguished guests assembled to play, wine, and dine.
More than 100 chefs, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and food aficionados gather to offer a delightful, sensitive, and discriminating experience in food and wine. All products on display are locally made, especially for this festival.
In addition to the food and wine, the festival offers food and wine tastings, seminars, luncheons, to outdoor adventures, all related to your interest in food and wine and the influence of gourmet foods on the wine products.
The 2022 Park City wine festival is scheduled for September 29, 2022, and October 01, 2022, at 333 Historic Main Street, Park City.
Park City is 32 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, with just over 8,000 people as of the 2020 census.
As a tourist city, you will often find more tourists in town than permanent residents.
The decline in mining in the area in the 1960s and 1970s caused a big loss in the number of residents. However, the city rebounded and positioned itself as a tourist destination of choice, with skiing being a major money-spinner.
Oktoberfest 50th Anniversary
In addition to the wine festivals, Utah also offers an annual Oktoberfest at Snowbird. As per the traditional beer fests, this is a family-friendly affair, including activities, food, and, as you would expect from a beer fest, brews that keep flowing for weeks.
Utah’s beer festival runs for weeks between mid-August and mid-October. Fortunately, it does not run every day but every Saturday and Sunday, including Labor Day.
Thousands of visitors are lured to Snowbird’s annually for the Oktoberfest, making it one of the largest festivals in Utah.
No admission is charged, and access to the beer fest is between noon and 6 pm on weekends.
Best Wine Tours in Utah
1. Moab Back Roads, History and Winery E-Bike Tour
One of the most unique and thrilling ways to commute to and from a Moab winery
- Length: 2.5 Hours
- Guest Reviews: 5/5 Stars
- Highlights: A Fun E-Bike Ride to a Local Winery
- Includes: E-Bike Rental, Wine Tasting Flight
- Check prices and availability here
The Moab Back Roads, History, and Winery E-Bike Tour is an excellent option for wine enthusiasts known for being adventurous. The tour takes place on electric bicycles, which are surprisingly quick and offer smooth and fun rides between stops.
There are two options for routing, each of which offers different advantages for different types of riders. The first is a simple and direct route from the starting point to the local Moab winery that is leisurely and best suited to newer riders.
For the more adventurous types who have ample experience riding bicycles, a longer route offers higher speeds and a stop at a historic Petroglyph Panel. Both routes end at a highly respected local winery, and a tasting flight is included with the tour price.
2. Utah Wine Tours
Custom wine tour options from one of the top wine tourism companies in the Southwest
- Length: 4 – 8 Hours
- Guest Reviews: 5/5 Stars
- Highlights: Custom Itinerary, Private Groups
- Includes: Private Tour, Transportation
- Check prices and availability here
Utah Wine Tours is one of Utah’s most established and highly respected wine tourism operations. They have earned a phenomenal reputation over the years for providing private wine tours for groups of between 2 and 6 people.
The Utah Wine Tours company allows customers to create their itinerary, and both half-day and full-day tour options are available. This will enable customers to select their favorite Utah wineries to visit, as well as local distilleries and craft breweries.
There are also tour packages specifically designed with different group types in mind. The “Couples” tour package includes stops at some of the most romantic and beautiful tasting rooms and wineries in the state. In contrast, the “Family” option features stops at wineries with areas and activities for kids, ensuring everyone has a fun and memorable day on the Utah Wine Trail.
3. Fox School of Wine
One of the most highly respected wine tourism and education companies in all of Utah
- Length: 1 – 4 Hours
- Guest Reviews: 5/5 Stars
- Highlights: Walking Tours, Wine Classes, Wine Education
- Includes: Many Different Packages to Choose From
- Check prices and availability here
The Fox School of Wine is one of the most popular and highly respected wine tourism and education companies in all of Utah and by far the most highly rated company of its kind in the Park City area.
There is a full calendar full of wine classes, tours, and serious wine education classes for sommeliers and other industry professionals. Couples tasting classes also make for a great date night for all types of wine lovers.
