Lauren Mowery

There is a food and wine festival in nearly every nook and cranny of the country these days—celebrations of great eating and drinking where you can conceivably pair one of the best burgers in America with the some of the country’s, and the world’s, top drops. But not all food and wine festivals are created equal. Some are special, standing out for their stunning locales (drinks on the beach in Maui, anyone?), their huge selections of eats and vineyards, or for giving you the feel that you’re in one of the best wine bars in America, even as you stand in an open field among thousands. We’ve put the best together in this 2016 food and wine festival calendar so that you can choose one (or ten) to hit throughout the year. And if you’re feeling particularly thirsty, we have a beer festival calendar, too. Cheers! Follow Time Out USA on Facebook; sign up for the Time Out USA newsletter

Wine bars have well and truly shaken off their outmoded image as hushed preserves of swirling, sniffing (and snobbish) oenophiles. Lists once stacked with blue chips now accurately reflect the diversity of the global wine world. Connoisseurs and casual sippers alike gather at vino-centric establishments for a glass or several, often accompanied by creative fare that aspires beyond the traditional meat and cheese board. Some of these multifunctional drinking destinations even serve—gasp—craft beer. Read on for our picks across the country, from the best wine bars in NYC to San Francisco’s top tippling spots.