Perhaps the only thing that could improve a convivial wine tasting on a warm day would be to have that vineyard visit come with a side of live music. Luckily, wineries from Sonoma to Livermore and beyond have a full calendar of concerts planned this summer. Whatever your taste in varietals or vocals, you’ll find something to suit.

Know before you go

If you head for lawn seating for a winery show, remember that the same heat ripening the grapes will bake down on the vineyard’s amphitheaters and stages, so pack your hat, sunscreen, and water — as well as a jacket for once the sun sets. Blankets and low beach chairs are good choices for concerts where a stage or amphitheater doesn’t offer seating; plan to get there a couple hours ahead of showtime to snag a spot and picnic. Check first to see if venues allow you to bring in food or if they sell it onsite; most don’t allow outside alcoholic beverages. Although, some wineries also offer a seated dinner that includes show tickets.

Because the stages are relatively intimate, tickets can sell out weeks in advance. So get planning to take advantage of the vibrant vineyard summer concert schedule. Among the standout live shows to consider:

Sonoma Concerts

Gundlach Bundschu

The winery has a 2018 summer entertainment lineup with four stages featuring psychedelic surf rock, indie and folk acts like he Voidz, fronted by Julian Casablancas of the Strokes (Aug. 1), indie folk sweetheart Angel Olsen (Sept. 8), and guitar hero Johnny Marr (Sep. 28).  There are also copious food options and a kid zone. It’s a perfect micro-music festival for people who think they hate music festivals.

Rodney Strong Vineyard

The amphitheater plays host to the Four Tops (Aug. 26) and jazz/blues/R&B stalwart Boz Scaggs (Sept. 9). For people worried that concerts will keep them up too late, Rodney Strong’s shows start at a civilized 5 or 6 p.m.

Highlights:

Voidz: Aug. 1

Four Tops: Aug. 26

Boz Scaggs: Sept. 9

Santa Cruz Mountains Concerts

Mountain Winery

The Mountain Winery has the most extensive music offering of the bunch, with genre-spanning shows nearly every night this summer. Don’t miss country legend Willie Nelson (Aug. 6).  A note about Willie: he’s 85. If you’ve never seen him play live, why would you wait?

Highlights:

Willie Nelson: Aug. 6

Livermore Concerts

Wente Vineyards

Wente Vineyards kicked off its summer concert schedule with the American Idol Live! Tour at the end of July. Country music singer Hunter Hayes brings his considerable multi-instrumentalist chops to the Wente amphitheater (Aug. 8), and classic rockers Bad Company wrap up the live concert calendar (Sept. 26).

Highlights:

Hunter Hayes: Aug. 8

Bad Company: Sept. 26