Cooler Air, Curated Tastings, and “Mountain Time” Await at This Elevated Kern County Mountain Escape
By Kathleen Hokit, A Branded Partnership Story | Published on May 31, 2026 / Updated June 5, 2026
The road into Pine Mountain Club feels like a slow exhale.
The farther you climb from the valley floor, the more the landscape shifts. Dry heat gives way to towering pines. Highway noise fades into winding mountain roads and quiet vistas. Somewhere along the drive, Kern County starts feeling worlds away.
And that’s exactly the point.
For more than two decades, Wine in the Pines has invited guests into that slower rhythm. Held high above the valley in Pine Mountain Club, the annual event has quietly built a loyal following since 2003 by offering something increasingly rare: space to linger.
This year, the beloved Pine Mountain Club wine festival returns June 20 with a refreshed vision that leans fully into atmosphere, artistry, and connection.
Tucked more than 5,500 feet above sea level and about 60 miles south of Bakersfield, Pine Mountain Club has long existed as something of a local secret. Residents often refer to it as “the nearby faraway place,” a mountain village where wraparound decks overlook dense forest, locals know one another by name, and weekends seem to stretch a little longer.
“Our beautiful village is close enough for a quick getaway, but far enough away that you can completely relax and lose track of time. Around here, we call that Mountain Time,” says Dianna Repsher, Wine in the Pines Event coordinator.
For Wine in the Pines organizers, this year’s event is designed to reflect that same feeling.
Instead of scattered tasting stations spread throughout the village, guests will now step beneath one expansive open-air tent transformed into a 1920s Parisian-inspired soirée. Think black-and-gold accents, elegant table settings, and live ambiance.
There’s an intention behind every detail.
Credit: Roger Wynfield
Musician, Roger Wynfield, will set the tone while playing multiple instruments, while CirqueSanity perform their “Cirque du Souffle” French-themed act with acrobatics, juggling, and theatrical flair. The goal isn’t simply to pour wine. It’s to create a mood guests remember long after the last glass.
Rewi Bracey & Tina Phoenix with CirqueSanity | Credit: Peter Leal Photography
“Creating a sensory experience gives guests the chance to escape, connect with the wine, the flavors, the atmosphere, and truly enjoy the moment together,” Repsher says.
Of course, the pours still take center stage.
Credit: Jag cz
This year’s curated lineup features a mix of wineries, cider makers, mead producers, and craft beverages chosen as much for their stories as their flavor profiles. Guests will have the opportunity to sample offerings from Condor’s Hope in Cuyama Valley, high-desert meads from Cuyama Beverage Company, refreshing hard ciders from SLO Cider in San Luis Obispo, and acclaimed Paso Robles producer Cass Winery.
Organizers intentionally sought out makers using distinctive farming methods and handcrafted approaches that invite conversation between guests and producers.
Among them is Condor’s Hope from Cuyama Valley, a winery known for dry farming practices and olive oil production that feels fittingly connected to Pine Mountain Club’s own condor imagery and mountain identity.
“..folks have to accept lower yields per acre, but gain extreme water savings and an unmatchable quality of wine and olive oil,” says Steve Gliessman, Professor of Agroecology & Co-owner of Condor’s Hope.
Mead producers from Cuyama Beverage Company will also offer honey wine crafted with ingredients like jujube berries, introducing many guests to a sparkling, dry style far removed from the heavy meads people often expect.
Credit: Carlo Prearo
And then there’s the food.
Local chefs throughout the mountain community are creating pairings designed to complement specific tastings throughout the afternoon. Guests may move from a crisp white wine into a watermelon, feta, and arugula pairing before discovering butternut sage soup served in tasting portions nearby. On-site smoked pulled pork will be served topped with house-made coleslaw, Carolina style, that pairs well with Zinfandel and Pinot Noirs.
“When the flavors work together, the wine tells a different story. That’s why we’re so intentional with the pairings, it makes the whole experience more memorable,” Repsher says.
Credit: fcafotodigital
The pacing is deliberate. Nothing rushed. Nothing overly formal.
People wander. They revisit favorite pours. They pause beneath the pines simply because they can.
That slower rhythm is something locals lovingly call “Mountain Time,” and it’s part of what keeps people returning year after year.
“When returning guests visit the Pine Mountain Inn, I ask why they chose to visit Pine Mountain Club again and again. The most common response is simple: ‘It’s magical,’ Diana Chase, Owner and Innkeeper of Pine Mountain Inn, says.
Many visitors ultimately turn Wine in the Pines into a full weekend escape. Pine Mountain Inn, cabins, and Airbnbs tucked throughout the forest offer overnight stays just steps from hiking trails, local restaurants, and wraparound decks made for morning coffee among the trees.
Pine Mountain Club Golf Course
The village itself remains refreshingly walkable, with seasonal events, live music, and a creative spirit woven into daily life.
That artistic heartbeat is also reflected in the event’s community focus. Hosted by Pine Mountain Club’s Commercial Property Owners Association, Wine in the Pines supports local culture while helping spotlight small makers, chefs, artists, and nonprofit initiatives throughout the mountain region.
This year, a portion of proceeds will benefit youth arts programs through Glitter & Glue Factory, a local nonprofit supporting creative opportunities for young people in the community.
In a season usually defined by triple-digit heat and crowded calendars, Wine in the Pines offers something quieter.
Something slower.
A reminder that sometimes the best summer escape isn’t across the country. It’s simply right here in Kern County’s very own nearby faraway place, Pine Mountain Club.
Purchase your Wine in the Pines tickets here.
Wine in the Pines is more than a tasting event—it’s a mountain escape. Set among the towering pines of Pine Mountain Club, this 21+ experience invites guests to slow down and savor unlimited wine tastings, craft beer, mead and cider, culinary bites, live music and unique entertainment in a relaxed alpine setting designed for genuine connection. Just an hour from Bakersfield and Santa Clarita, attendees receive a commemorative tasting glass, free parking, and the opportunity to meet the makers behind the pours. VIP tickets include early entry from noon to 1 p.m. for a more intimate experience. General Admission and VIP tickets are on sale now, with limited day-of tickets potentially available at the gate. Please note: no pets allowed.
