Celebrate California Wine Month all September Long

Break out the merlot—September has been proclaimed California Wine Month by Gov. Jerry Brown, according to Wine Institute and California Association of Winegrape Growers officials.

This September will mark the seventh year the California government has recognized the wine industry and its connection to the Golden State with its many wineries, grape growers, vintners and more.

Brown made the proclamation in late August, just before a host of wine-centered events kicked off this month. Many are up in wine country, but if you're looking for a wine-filled weekend getaway, check out:

• Sonoma Wine Country Weekend this weekend. The Taste of Sonoma event at MacMurray Ranch will feature more than 170 wineries and 60 chefs, along with seminars, cooking demonstrations and vineyard tours.
• The 30th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration offers complimentary shuttle buses to more than 40 Livermore Valley wineries during Labor Day Weekend.
• On Sept. 16, Pinotfest Monterey will be a beach party and charity auction with live music, food and wine from several Monterey area wineries.

Much closer to home, there are some great wine options.

• The Art & Wine Festival starts the second weekend of September in Capitola, featuring lots of local wine.
• tasting room in Capitola Village is a good spot to stop.
• in Soquel holds events all the time.
• in Capitola Village is a quiet, p.m. destination for any wine lover.
• Mica Cellars opened this summer on Hangar Way in Watsonville. The tiny tasting room is open Saturday afternoons.
•  is a pleasant drive into the Santa Cruz Mountains above Corralitos. Take a picnic and enjoy the view of Monterey Bay from the top of the property.

According to the Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers, California has more than 4,600 grape growers and accounts for about 90 percent of wine production in the United States.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.