National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day

National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day is observed on the third Saturday in July. In 2026, this date falls on July 18. This is a summertime occasion that highlights a bright, fruit-forward wine style made by blending strawberries and rhubarb for a lively balance of sweetness and tartness that many people enjoy during warm-weather gatherings.

History of National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day

The festival-style observance traces to a small North Dakota winery that brought attention to the flavor pairing in the early 2010s. Maple River Winery received recognition for its strawberry rhubarb wine and the event grew around that local success, with organizers and fans settling on the third Saturday in July to celebrate each year.

Since its start, the day has been picked up by other wine makers and by sites that track food and drink observances. It now appears on calendars that list culinary and beverage-themed days, and wineries of various sizes join in with tastings and promotions focused on fruit wines.

Why is National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day important?

This day matters because it spotlights a niche within fruit wines that combines two distinct ingredients. Strawberry provides juicy sweetness while rhubarb contributes a sharp, citrus-like tang; together they produce a profile that invites curiosity from casual drinkers and enthusiasts alike.

The observance also gives smaller producers an accessible moment to promote seasonal offerings and to introduce consumers to non-grape winemaking traditions. Celebrations encourage exploration of local wineries, support small business tasting rooms, and broaden the public’s idea of what wine can be.

• It encourages visits to small wineries and tasting rooms that produce fruit wines.
• It introduces consumers to a less common style of wine, expanding palates.
• It creates pairing opportunities with summer foods, from cheeses to grilled dishes.
• It supports local agriculture by highlighting fruit-grown wines.
• It offers a festive reason to gather outdoors during warm weather.

How to Celebrate National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day

Plan a relaxed tasting that includes several bottles if you can, comparing variations in sweetness, acidity, and body. A simple at-home tasting with friends lets you note differences in how producers balance the fruit components and which bottlings suit your preference for dessert-style or lighter table wines.

Beyond a tasting, use the day to pair the wine with seasonal menus or to visit a winery that produces fruit wines. Many tasting rooms offer small events or themed flights around this date, and these visits are a chance to ask winemakers about their techniques and ingredient choices.

• Host a small tasting with score cards and tasting notes for each bottle.
• Pair the wine with soft cheeses, fruit-based desserts, or fried appetizers.
• Visit a local winery that produces strawberry rhubarb or other fruit wines.
• Try a home recipe that incorporates strawberry and rhubarb to mirror the wine.
• Share tasting impressions on social channels using the day’s hashtag to find other fans.

National Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day Dates