The Most Innovative Wine Festival Is Coming to San Jose with Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.
Wine lovers in the Bay Area, take note: one of the nation’s most prestigious wine festivals is planting its roots in San Jose for the first time in 2026.
Formerly known as the Festival of Forgotten Grapes, the newly renamed Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is shaking up California wine culture with an intoxicating mix of rare varietals, small-batch producers, and boundary-pushing experiences.
Recently ranked the #2 Wine Festival in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, this rising star among wine events is putting undiscovered wine grapes in the spotlight—and now, it’s coming to Silicon Valley’s backyard.
A Festival That’s Redefining California Wine—One Grape at a Time
In a wine industry often dominated by just a handful of grape names—Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay—the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is leading a quiet revolution. The event champions the 100+ lesser-known grapes grown in California that represent just 7% of all plantings—and a whole world of unexplored flavor.
“These wines aren’t just relics of the past; they are vibrant, relevant, and full of potential,”
Allison Levine
the festival’s founder, longtime wine writer, educator, and event planner.
“Our goal is to introduce people to what’s possible beyond the usual handful of California varieties.”
Some of the grapes featured include Teroldego, Cinsault, Semillon, Marsanne, and Trousseau Gris—varieties that, while unfamiliar to many, are gaining serious traction among next-generation winemakers and wine professionals.
From Los Angeles to San Jose: A Bold New Chapter
After a blockbuster debut in Los Angeles, the festival expands north in 2026 with a new edition set for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the elegant Scott’s Seafood Ballroom at The Rotary Summit Center in downtown San Jose.
The Los Angeles event will follow on March 28, 2026, at Mica Studios.
“Designing for it means leaning into the thrill of the unexpected,”
Eva Crawford
Creative Director of the festival
“These wines come from winemakers who know their craft and aren’t afraid to follow their own path.”
For San Francisco wine lovers, as well as oenophiles in Palo Alto, Oakland, Berkeley, and Menlo Park, the San Jose event offers an accessible and elevated way to discover rare wines without traveling to wine country.
A Wine Retail Experience Tailored to Modern Tastes
One of the most innovative features of the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is its mix-and-match retail model, which allows attendees to:
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Build a custom case by selecting individual bottles from multiple producers
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Bypass traditional retail minimums
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Have the wine shipped directly to their home for a flat fee
It’s a seamless way to support small wineries, explore new grapes, and avoid the “wine club” trap—all while expanding your cellar with uncommon California wines.
Elevating the Wine Conversation—Not Just the Glass
The 2026 editions promise more than just tasting. Guests can expect educational panels, immersive experiences, and intimate meet-the-maker sessions that elevate the festival beyond a typical wine fair. It’s this commitment to substance as well as style that draws in sommeliers, collectors, and wine lovers from across San Francisco, San Jose, and the entire West Coast.
“From the beginning, this festival has been about disrupting how the public experiences wine:
what determines a grape’s popularity,
what stories are there to uncover, and who the makers are,”
Crawford
And with the Bay Area’s appetite for innovation, the festival feels perfectly at home.
Undiscovered Grapes, Unforgettable Stories
More than just a place to drink, the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is where history meets modern craftsmanship. Whether it’s a small producer reviving a grape lost to Prohibition, or a maverick winemaker exploring Alpine varietals in Mendocino soil, every pour carries a story worth discovering.
With its curated, upscale format, the festival is ideal for those who appreciate experiential luxury—think Aspen Food & Wine Classic meets indie wine bar.
The Next Great Wine Event for San Francisco and Silicon Valley
As the wine world evolves, the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes is helping to reshape palates, preferences, and perspectives. Its arrival in San Jose signals a rare opportunity for Bay Area wine lovers to experience the future of California wine—and maybe even discover a new favorite grape along the way.
Tickets for both the San Jose and Los Angeles editions will go on sale in early 2026. Don’t miss your chance to sip history in the making.
