Carruth Barrel-Tasting Party
When: February 23 (12–3 p.m.) and February 24 (12–3 p.m., 4–7 p.m.)
Where: Carruth Cellars, 118 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
Carruth built their urban winery name up in Encinitas before expanding to Carlsbad and Little Italy. This is their ninth annual barrel-tasting party, which lets wine fans drink directly from the oak before new wines get bottled. You get a glimpse of recently made wines, called “futures,” before they fully mature and are bottled nine months later. Owner Adam Carruth specializes in importing California grapes and blending and making on-site. Of the four scheduled tastings, one is already sold out and the others usually do as well.
Cost: $40
More Info: carruthcellars.ticketleap.com
Cakebread Wine Dinner
When: February 25, 7–9 p.m.
Where: Fort Oak, 1011 Fort Stockton Drive, Mission Hills
Trust, in Hillcrest, has become one of San Diego’s top restaurant destinations, thanks to chef Brad Wise’s open-fire cooking and partner/GM Steve Schwob’s immaculate attention to service and hospitality (five-star service, casual setting). That’s made their newest and biggest project yet, Fort Oak, the top of most food people’s hit list. Get a full description of the project, including the story of one of the largest grills ever put into a local restaurant, in this story. For this five-course wine dinner they’ve got Cakebread, one of Napa’s legendary originals, known primarily for the strength of their whites (chardonnay, sauvignon blanc), but winemaker Stephanie Jacobs is also excelling at pinot noir and cabernet. The menu includes scallops with 2017 Chardonnay, smoked pig belly with 2016 Two Creeks Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, duck neck cavatelli with 2015 Merlot, 55-day dry-aged steak with 2015 Mullan Road Cellars Red Blend, and ricotta cheesecake with 2017 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc.
Cost: $150
More Info: cakebread.com
Best Coast Beer Fest
When: March 9, 1–4 p.m.
Where: Embarcadero Marina South, 200 Marina Park Way
Craft beer has finally surpassed pandas and whales as one of San Diego’s chief attractions. Admittedly, the best way to truly understand the nuances of what brewers are doing is by going direct to the brewery. But that takes time, a resource few of us have a surplus of. The BCBF brings over 100 San Diego craft breweries—Lost Abbey, Eppig, Boochcraft, North Park Beer Co., you name it—together on the same stretch of grass overlooking the bay, with food trucks, music, assorted entertainments. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cuck Fancer organization, which helps young adults with cancer get the support they need.
Cost: $50 ($150 for VIP, which starts an hour earlier)
More Info: bestcoastbeerfest.com
The Best Food and Drink Events in February and March
Fort Oak | Photo by Jim Sullivan
