July greets us with festivals, getaways and events in our own backyard.

Thursday, July 7 – Saturday, July 9 | Washington Wines Festival: Wine Weekend | Seattle | For the 20th consecutive year, this weekend long festival kicks off across the state on Thursday night with winemaker dinners in Seattle, Red Mountain and Walla Walla. Friday night goes down at the Waterfront Seafood Grill with a magnum tasting, winemaker dinner and live music from violinist Geoffrey Castle. Across the street at the Olympic Sculpture Park, 14 small-lot producers will be offering up barrel tastings as L.A. DJ Machete lays down the beats for “Vinolution 14.” The main event takes places Saturday night with a wine tasting, live auction and BBQ dinner from El Gaucho followed by dancing on the roof of the Bell Harbor Maritime Events Center to the jams of the Dusty 45’s. Tickets range from $75-$400, depending on activities.

Saturday, July 9 | Ohme Gardens Wine & Food Gala | Wenatchee | Savor wines from 13 Wenatchee-area wineries paired with locally-farmed food prepared by top regional chefs. This wonderful evening will be held at the picturesque Ohme Gardens. $45 per person before July 4; $55 afterward.

Saturday, July 9 | Sunsets in Snohomish | Snohomish | Join the locals of downtown historic Snohomish for a wine tasting stroll featuring six local wineries, each located in a different shop in the neighborhood. This is a BYOG(lass) event. Special dining offers are also available from participating restaurants. Tickets are $5 online or $8 at the gate.

Friday, July 15 – Sunday, July 17 | Wine & Jazz Wine Tasting at the Comcast Bite of Seattle | Seattle | Nearly a dozen wineries will be pouring their juice in the peaceful cafe atmosphere at the 2011 Bite of Seattle. Located in the Alki Courtyard and adjacent to The Alley, admission to the wine tasting is FREE. For $15, guests receive five tasting tickets and a commemorative Bite of Seattle tasting glass. Each additional tasting ticket is $2.

Thursday, July 21  |  Third Thursday Wine Art Walk |  Woodinville | More than a dozen wineries prop open their tasting rooms doors for this BYOG(lass) tasting event, splashing the wines from several Woodinville Warehouse producers. Local artists and musicians are also on display. Tickets are $20 online or at the Ticket Tent.

Wednesday, July 27  |  The Winemaker Olympics & Festival |  Woodinville | The third annual Winemaker Olympics & Festival will feature more than 40 local winemakers and brewmasters as they take on mental and physical feats of the Winemaker Olympics at Redhook Brewery! Restaurants and gourmet food trucks and music will also be bustling as the teams of winemakers undergo their challenges for all to watch, drink wine, play games and win prizes! The event is to raise awareness and funds to benefit Heartbeat Serving Wounded Warriors, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to injured military personnel and their families. Tickets are $49.

Friday, July 29 | Yakima Barrel Cave Dinner | Yakima | Dinner with Chef Chris Peterson of Kirkland’s Milagro Cantina at the Cave at Gilbert Cellars. This cocktail party and wine pairing dinner at one long communal table in the Cave features Yakima’s own bounty of produce, meat and fish. Each of the five courses is paired with one of the seven different Yakima wineries of the night. This Yakima Wine & Food Summer Escape event is $75 per person.

** For more event listings, please check out our EVENTS Calendar and be in-the-know on what’s happening around your city.