Tag Archives: The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes

Show 671, March 21, 2026: “Festival of Undiscovered Grapes”, Los Angeles, with Founder Allison Levine

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Allison Levine of Please the Palate

“Founded in 2024, “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” is a one-of-a-kind tasting event dedicated to celebrating the diversity of California wine through its lesser-known grape varieties. Featuring 60+ producers and more than 100 unique grapes, the festival is a destination for wine lovers eager to explore beyond the familiar. It returns on Saturday, March 28th to Mica Studios in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles.” VIP access is at Noon and General Admission starts at 2:00 p.m.

The Festival was previously known as “Festival of Forgotten Grapes.” “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.”

“With more than 100 grape varieties grown in California, only nine account for 93% of plantings. The festival brings attention to the remaining 7%: grapes such as Teroldego, Cinsault, Marsanne, Semillon, and dozens more, each with a compelling story and growing momentum among adventurous winemakers.”

“One of the unique features of the festival is its mix-and-match retail experience. Attendees can build their own custom orders, selecting individual bottles from multiple producers, with no minimums, and have them delivered directly to their door for one flat-rate fee. It is a seamless way to support small wineries and continue the discovery after the event.”

Founder Allison Levine joins us pulling the cork on all that is “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.”

Allison surprised us with a great special offer exclusively for our listeners. If you go to their Website you can buy one General Admission Ticket for $75.00 and then get a second ticket for free. In other words buy one and then get one free. The offer code, All in Caps, is: SOCALSHOWBOGO

Show 671, March 21, 2026: “Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” with Participating Winery, Hitching Post Wines, Buellton. Weston Hartley, Winemaker

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Weston Hartley of Hitching Post Wines

“Founded in 2024, “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes” is a one-of-a-kind tasting event dedicated to celebrating the diversity of California wine through its lesser-known grape varieties. Featuring 60+ producers and more than 100 unique grapes, the festival is a destination for wine lovers eager to explore beyond the familiar. It returns on Saturday, March 28th to Mica Studios in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles.” VIP access is at Noon and General Admission starts at 2:00 p.m.

Hitching Post Wines in Buellton is one of the participants in “The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes.” Weston Hartley, the Co-Winemaker (representing the 2nd generation of Family-ownership) is our guest.

“Led by Frank Ostini (owner of the Hitching Post 2 Restaurant) and Gray Hartley, Hitching Post Wines has passed its 40th vintage in its ongoing quest to create the finest wines possible of Santa Barbara County. The emphasis is to make intriguing, age-worthy Pinot Noirs featuring Santa Barbara County’s two iconic appellations, the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills. However, other lesser-known varieties such as Chenin Blanc and Valdeguie have also caught their attention.”

“With Frank Ostini as Chef Winemaker since its inception, these are food-friendly, handcrafted wines of balance and finesse that express the essence of the great vineyards of the Santa Barbara region. Moving forward, the next generation of Hartleys – Emily (DTC Manager) and Weston (Winemaker) – have joined the team and are doing much of the heavy lifting at Hitching Post Wines.”

Valdiguie is their favorite “Undiscovered” wine grape and will be their featured wine at The Festival. “It’s Racy. Defined as: (of a wine, flavor, etc.) having a characteristic quality to a high degree.”