Instead of visiting the expensive and tourist-laden wine regions of Napa Valley or Valle De Guadalupe, consider experiencing the delights of local Californian and Mexican wines at two nearby wine festivals this harvest season.

Make your way to Huntington Beach on Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9, for a taste of premier wines from California’s renowned AVAs at the California Wine Festival held at Paséa Hotel and Spa. This event features a selection of both rare and popular wines from top vineyards across Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Temecula.

The event will showcase wines from various producers including Adobe Road Winery, Bellante Family Winery, Bernardus Winery, Doffo Winery, Dracula’s Daughter Prosecco, Hunt Cellars, Michael Mondavi Family Wines, Navarro Vineyards, Santa Rita Hills Wine Alliance, Silva Road, Williams Selyem Winery and Wine Guy & Wine Gal among others.

To enhance your wine tasting experience, local chefs from Huntington Beach and other Southern California locations will offer a variety of culinary treats. Participating restaurants include Duke’s Huntington Beach, Shorebird, and others such as Kai, Cucina Alessa, Bluegold, SiSi Cakes, Miss Mini Donuts, Mendocino Farms, and LSXO.

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Guests can also look forward to live entertainment from Chris Copeland, who will perform acoustic renditions of pop classics; surf sounds from Matt Hurray; soulful tunes from “American Idol” finalist Adam Lasher; and Hawaii-native Joni Llamedo performing island-inspired music on her guitar.

The Friday tasting will be a VIP event, happening from 6:30 until 9 p.m., showcasing some of the state’s rarest wines. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest resort-wear attire. The event on Saturday, taking place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (with VIP entry at noon), will offer a more relaxed and festive environment.

This event is restricted to individuals aged 21 and over, so make plans for childcare in advance to enjoy a delightful evening.

Tickets run $90 to $235; visit CalifoniaWineFestival.com for more details.

Find it: Paséa Hotel and Spa, 21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Chaak Mexican Food and Wine Festival, billed as the first event of its kind in the U.S., pays tribute to the wines and culinary culture of Mexico. An entire block of Old Town Tustin will shut down to traffic and transform into a gastronomic party featuring more than 20 wineries from Baja California, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí.

Co-created by Tom Bracamontes, founder of La Competencia Imports, the largest importer of Mexican wines in the U.S., and Ed and Gabbi Patrick, owners of Chaak and Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, the festival will feature such Baja-based wineries and wine sellers as Tresomm, Tresparauno, Tribos, Vinisterra Vitivinícola, Viñedos Llano Colorado, Hacienda Florida and more.

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“We’re thrilled to bring Mexican wines to the forefront and offer a unique opportunity for people to meet the winemakers and taste these exceptional wines, which showcase the rich diversity of Mexico’s wine regions,” said Bracamontes in a written release. “This is a rare event, not just for wine lovers, but for anyone looking to experience the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through its wine and food.”

Guests will also enjoy fare from Yucatán and Mexico’s northern regions with bites prepared by Orange County standouts Chaak, Gabbi’s, Socalo, Gema and Maizano.

“Our goal is to make this an annual celebration that not only showcases Mexico’s wines but also promotes the next generation of Latino wine professionals,” said Patrick.

Chaak Mexican Food and Wine Festival is held from 2 to 6 p.m. on October 19. Ticket prices range from $108 to $135. For additional details, visit lacompetenciaimports.com.

Location: 215 El Camino Real, Tustin