Spring is in full swing, and along with all the flowering greenery, there’s a concurrent profusion of wine events happening in and around D.C. Here are our picks for nine of the best don’t miss wine events for the coming month. Sip well!

Winemaker Dinner with Eric Bonnet at Brasserie Beck

Where: Brasserie Beck
When: 7 PM, Wednesday, April 25
Price: $150

Eric Bonnet, owner of Rhône vineyard La Bastide Saint-Dominique, will be leading a five-course dinner, sharing some of his best picks from the region. The wine selections were chosen to highlight a range of flavors and strengths that are a great value.


Wine Spectators Grand Tour

Where: Ronald Reagan Building
When: 9 PM, Friday, April 27
Price: $200

Though one of our pricier picks, you’ll get to taste some of Wine Spectator's top-scoring wines from more than 200 of the world's finest wineries
. Mingle with winery owners, winemakers and oenophiles while you sip from a souvenir Riedel tasting glass and enjoy a light buffet.


Casual Italian Wine Dinner at Cork Market & Tasting Room

Where: Cork Market & Tasting Room
When: 6:30–8:30 PM, Tuesday, May 1

Join Roberto Rotatori of Santa Barbara Winery 
for for 
a casual Italian wine dinner. Roberto will be discussing new vintages, winemaking and the region where his wines are made. Chef Kristin Hutter will prepare accompanying Italian specialities that pair perfectly with these small production wines. A selection of the featured wines will be reserved exclusively for tasting guests to purchase at Cork Market.  


Wines of the World Cruise on the Potomac

Where: 700 Water Street SW DC
When: 5:30–7 PM or 8–9:30 PM, Thursday, May 3 & 17
Price: $45

The Washington Wine Academy brings you a 90-minute booze cruise during which you can sample wines from around the world as you take in the views of our Nation's Capital aboard the Patriot II. Taste 15 of the available wines and nosh on cheese, crackers, snacks, and desserts. A souvenir glass is included in the ticket price.


Wine Riot DC

Where: DAR Constitution Hall
When: 1–5 PM or 7–11 PM, Saturday, May 5
Price: $50

Wine Riot is a travelling urban party with over 250 wines. A team of die-hard experts brings you interactive booths and crash courses loaded with tips and tricks for conquering the wine world. There’s also a DJ, photo booth, temporary tattoos and a few thousand DC winos. Also, during the event you can download and use the Wine Riot app that tracks your favorites and will show you where to buy them later. Brilliant!


5th Annual National Harbor Wine & Food Festival

Where: National Harbor Waterfront on the Potomac
When: Noon–6 PM, Saturday–Sunday, May 5–6
Price: Several ticketing options from $37–$185

Over 150 different wines, beers, and spirits are offered in this all-you-care-to-taste event. This year they’re serving up three times the number of selections, with vertical tastings, French sections and a salute to Grenache, among other features. Not just for drinkers, food fans will love this event too, with local, regional and nationally recognized chefs serving some of their best dishes.


Tasting Notes: Tasting the Regions of Italy

Where: Dino Restaurant and Enoteca
When: 6–9 PM, Wednesday, May 9
Price: $40 one flight or $50 for two flights

The Young Winos of DC bring you their first Tasting Notes event. Join the group at Dino's in Cleveland Park to taste, learn about and enjoy some exceptional Italian wines, with three different labels in each flight. RSVP to receive a few (very short) articles on Italian wine that will outline the tasting, giving you some background on Italian terroir.


Wine in the Woods

Where: Symphony Woods, Columbia MD
When: 11 AM–6 PM, Saturday–Sunday, May 19-20
Price: Sat: $35/$40 at the gate; Sun: $30/$35 at the gate

This event is what would happen if the Rennaisance Festival and Wine Riot had a baby. Day drinking in the woods, wine education seminars; artwork by artists and crafts persons; and live entertainment on Main and Vignette stages.


Italian Wine Tasting at the Italians In DC Festival

Where: Woodrow Wilson Plaza 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW DC
When: 2 PM, Sunday, May 20
Price: The festival is free of charge; $30 for the wine tasting (three glasses)

The Italians in DC Festival celebrates Italy through arts, culture, music, food, and wine. Want to get your wine for free? Enter the contest to win two free tickets to the wine tasting.

Photos via Flickr users mhaithaca, K-Bot and dklimke, respectively