GiniFest 2026: Armenian Wine & Spirits Festival

Armenia has been making wine for a very long time. Archaeologists found a winemaking operation in a cave near the village of Areni that dates back roughly 6,100 years. On Sunday, October 11, a slice of that tradition shows up on a single street in Glendale for GiniFest, the 9th Annual Armenian Wine & Spirits Festival. If you're sorting through the Things Happening In Los Angeles in mid-October, this one is easy to recommend: it's specific, it's outdoors, and the pours come with stories.

"Gini" is the Armenian word for wine, and the festival leans into that. Armenian Arts hosts this year's edition, and the organizers describe it as a gathering of Armenian winemakers and distillers along with international producers who share Armenian heritage.

What's in the glass

Expect a spread that runs from old grape varieties you've probably never seen on a Trader Joe's shelf to newer labels still finding their audience. Armenian brandy gets its own spotlight, which makes sense. It's the country's best-known export in a bottle, and plenty of LA households already keep one in the cabinet. Small-batch spirits round out the tasting list.

The part worth slowing down for is the conversation. Producers pour their own bottles, so you can actually ask about the grape, the region, or why a label looks the way it does. That's a different afternoon than a festival run by a beverage distributor.

Beyond the tastings

GiniFest runs as an open-air street festival, and the organizers have booked live music and traditional Armenian dance performances through the afternoon and into the evening. Artisans and makers set up alongside the wineries with work rooted in Armenian craft. Food vendors line the block too, and you'll want them: the food is sold separately, and pacing yourself between tastings with some lahmajoun or a kebab plate is a smart move.

A portion of admission goes to educational initiatives, including scholarships and tuition support for students in Armenia, according to the festival.

Practical info

• When: Sunday, October 11, 2026. The festival's own site lists hours of 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Pacific.
• Where: Armenian Arts, with the festival taking over the 200 North Orange Street block in Glendale.
• Admission: The organizers list general admission at $105 per person, covering beverage tastings plus the entertainment. Food and merchandise cost extra. Confirm current pricing when you buy.
• Age: It's a wine and spirits tasting, so plan on bringing ID.
• Getting there: Downtown Glendale sits right off the 134 and the 5, and the Orange Street block is a short walk from the Glendale Galleria and the Americana at Brand. Public garages nearby are your best bet for parking. With tastings all afternoon, a rideshare home beats driving, full stop.
• Dress: You'll be outdoors from mid-afternoon into the evening. October in Glendale can start warm and end cool, so bring a layer.

We found this one through the Eventbrite food and drink festival listings for LA; the event is organized by Armenian Arts.

More to explore

If you like wine with some history attached, GiniFest belongs near the top of your things to do in Los Angeles this October. For more festivals across the city, browse our festivals category, or look through everything we're tracking in Los Angeles. There's a lot more worth adding to your list of upcoming events Los Angeles has on deck this fall, but few of them come with a 6,000-year backstory.