Bright wines, big city – August hosts a plethora of events across the emerald region.

Harvest for the grapegrowers is coming soon — so  it’s time to party. This month, a number of wine happenings will take place everywhere from downtown Seattle to OIympia and Bremerton. The only tough part is choosing which one to attend!

Thursday, Aug. 11  |  Tasting Flight at the Zoo  |  Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

Tonight, on the grassy knoll of the North Meadow, some of the Northwest’s finest bottles will be popping for the Tasting Flight at the Woodland Park Zoo. This exclusively “after-hours,” adult-only wine event gives guests the opportunity to sample a tasting flight of more than 30 local wineries — and at the zoo, no less.

Tickets are $25, and admission includes 10 tastings (with additional samples for $1 each), bottles to-go, grill selections from Lancer Catering, the groovy live sounds of Coco Loco and, last but not least, the chance to get close to the animals. This event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.; tickets are available here.

Friday, Aug. 12 – Sunday, Aug. 21 | First Annual South Sound Wine Trail| South Sound

The South Sound’s newest agriculture venture has banded together to put on the first annual South Sound Wine Trail. For an affordable price, guests will receive a passport valid for wine flights at each of the seven wineries on the South Sound Wine Trail during regular business hours.

Completing the passport with stamps enters guests into a weekend getaway drawing, which includes two nights lodging, dinner for two, a Capitol Dome Stress Reliever and a $50 gas card, all provided by the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau. Passports are available for $20 at any of the wineries on the wine trail.

Thursday, Aug. 18 – Saturday, Aug. 20 | Auction of Washington Wines | Woodinville

On the grounds of Washington’s first winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, the Auction of Washington Wines hosts the annual Auction of Washington Wines. On Friday, Aug. 18, food from the Tulalip Casino restaurants and barrel sample tastings from nearly three dozen wineries will kick off this weekend with the Winemaker’s Dinners — all held at private estates.

On Saturday morning, runners will compete in the Covey Run 5k/10k dash from Redbook Brewery, followed by the extravagant, annual Wine Gala that evening. Ticket sales go to the Washington Wine Education Foundation and the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Prices range per event, and all can be purchased online.

Thursday, Aug. 18 | Pinot Smackdown | Seattle

Sixth Avenue Wine Seller and Twitter-ace Clive Pursehouse of Northwest Wine Anthem will host a battle of Pinot Noirs, which will be tweeted live from the wine shop to Pinot drinkers across the world. Pinot Smackdown is a day-long global celebration of the wine, featuring Tweeters who are willing to debate back and forth about which Pinot-producing region is the best. Connected with the hashtag of #PinotSmackdown; visit Sixth Avenue Wine Seller’s Facebook for more information.

Friday, Aug. 19 | Sunset Supper at the Market | Seattle

For one night only, Pike Place Market transforms itself into a dining room for the 16^th annual Sunset Supper. From 7:30 to 11 p.m., guests sample the creations of world-class chefs from the area’s most buzzworthy eateries as they sip brew and wine from top local producers.

The Dudley Manlove Quartet will provide jams to groove to under the stars when they take the stage at 8:30 p.m. The celebration’s proceeds are all sent to support the work of the Pike Market Medical Clinic, Senior Center, Child Care & Preschool and the Downtown Food Bank.

Saturday, Aug. 20 | Kitsap Wine Festival | Bremerton

On Bremerton’s scenic Harborside Fountain Park, the third annual Kitsap Wine Festival rejoices in the labors of local food and beverage from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Wines are available for sampling and purchase, as well as selections from the area’s best restaurants.

As an added bonus, the “Summer Sipper Bar” offers seasonal favorites, such as Riesling, rose and sparkling wines from participating local wineries. Tickets ($50 per person) are available online.

Wednesday, Aug. 24 – Wednesday, Aug. 31 | Peach-O-Rama | Metropolitan Market (see schedule for locations)

Join the wine steward and fellow shoppers for a complimentary tasting, featuring four labels that pair perfectly with Metropolitan Market’s Peach-O-Rama peach dishes. Space is limited, but the featured goods and recipes are also available online to be enjoyed at home. The two-hour tastings will help you discover the sweet and savory greatness of peaches paired with wine!