Now in its second year, San Diego’s premier food and wine event will feature a diverse array of bites, sips, and experiences. Attendees can look forward to sampling world-class cuisine from local restaurants, mingling with celebrity chefs, and savoring some of California’s finest wines and craft beverages.

Whether you’re a local or visiting from out of town, the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival offers something for everyone—from casual tastings to high-end dining experiences. Not sure where to start? Click the links below each question for more details, including event schedules, participating chefs, where to see celebs, and ticket information:

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What is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• The 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

Why Attend the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• Celebrity-Stacked Headliners Announced at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
• Where to See Celebs at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

What Events are Happening at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

• A Guide to the Events at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Fest
• The VIP Experience at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival
• Wine Legends Head to San Diego This October

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Listen: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Chefs on Happy Half Hour

Last year’s exclusive lineup featured some of our favorite chefs and food people. This year, some of our faves return for the big event. Learn more about a few of those returning guests on Happy Half Hour with host Troy Johnson:

• Javier Plascencia Talks Michelin Stars & Caesar Salad’s 100th
• Cardellino Owner Brad Wise on Truffles, Caviar & Butchering
• The Salt-of-the-Earth Star Power of Catherine McCord
• The Life of Failed Umpire Drew Deckman
• The Next Big Thing: New School American Cheese
• It’s Our 200th Episode! We Celebrate with Chef Brian Malarkey
• Getting Real With Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless

Watch: Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Video Series

In case you missed it last year, check out our 2023 video series featuring some of the restaurants showcasing their fare again at this year’s event:

• Rosemarie’s Burgers
• Ambrogio by Acquerello
• ARLO
• Beeside Balcony
• Civico 1845
• Fish Guts
• George’s at the Cove
• Kingfisher
• Little Frenchie
• Matsu
• Nine-Ten
• Parfait Paris
• Tribute Pizza

Frequently Asked Questions

• Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Where to Buy Del Mar Wine + Food Festival tickets

• Del Mar Wine + Food Festival Tickets

The post All Things Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024 appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Crates of rare, ogled, oh-dang wines are being loaded onto trucks and planes on their way to San Diego—1er Grand Crus, cult loves, bottles not sent to restaurants but saved up for gatherings like this. It’s the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, and sommelier/winemaker Ted Glennon has pulled some of the country’s top somms, winemakers, farmers, and thinkers into town. Names like Mark Bright, David Ramey, Ian Cauble, Shelley Lindgren, David Lynch, and a host of others.

For three days they’ll post up at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, share tastes of rare and raved-about wines that define the wine world, and tell their stories. Here’s the lineup:

Thursday, Oct 3

In the Boardroom with Mark Bright + Benchmark Wines

A once-in-a-lifetime experience for serious wine people. Limited to 10 guests. The rarest of the rare wines at the festival, with a legendary host. Mark Bright of world-famous Saison restaurant in San Francisco has selected the wines that move him the most, to share with a few friends. Get tickets.

Blind Tasting with The Masters: Ian Cauble + June Rodil

Blind taste test amazing wines with the best wine tasters in the country—a panel of master sommeliers. Led by Ian Cauble (he won the “Best Young Sommelier in the World” competition in Athens, Greece, and was one of the stars of the documentary SOMM) and June Rodil (one of 26 women in the Americas to earn a Master Sommelier credential). How the hell can a sommelier taste a glass of wine with zero knowledge and name the grape; the part of the world it’s grown in; the appellation, sometimes even the hill, or the winemaker, and whether or not that winemaker is a side sleeper? Well, sometimes they nail it, sometimes they fail. Here’s a chance to watch some of the best in the U.S. try their hand at it. Get tickets.

Friday, October 4

In The Boardroom With Ian Cauble + Benchmark Wine Group

The second in the series, 10 guests max. This is the rarest of the rare wines at the festival, with a legendary host. Arguably the most beloved sommelier in the U.S. and one of the stars of the documentary film SOMM, Ian Cauble has selected the wines that excite him the most for you to try. Don’t miss out on these rare gems. Get tickets.

My Life in 8 Glasses With David Ramey

Hailed as “The Professor of Chardonnay” by Wine Spectator, Ramey is a pioneering American winemaker who has spent his life elevating California wines. Ramey’s chardonnays and cabs are celebrated and acclaimed worldwide. He’ll take the audience through eight wines that defined his life. Get tickets.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Three of the next generation of wine minds come together to share what they’re seeing for the future. Where’s next? What’s happening at the forefront of the industry? What are they drinking? They’ve selected eight wines that define the “now.” The trio is made up of Femi Oyediran, Amanda McCrossin, and Fahara Zamorano.

Oyediran was Food and Wine’s “Top Sommelier 2019” and is the owner of Graft Wine Shop and Bar. McCrossin a.k.a. @SommVivant on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, left the dining room to spread the wine gospel on social media, and a half million-plus followers have tuned in. Zamorano, owner of Nite Thyme wine bar in LA, was named to Zagat’s “30 Under 30” list in 2016. Get tickets.

Apertivo Italiano With Shelley Lindgren And David Lynch

Two wine legends and James Beard Award–winners: San Francisco restaurateur Shelley Lindgren (A16, SPQR) and her dear friend David Lynch (author of Vino Italiano and importer) have selected bottles to share while they tell the stories from a life in wine. Get tickets.

Great Cabernet Terroirs

Cabernet sauvignon is the most famous wine in history, but what really is the DNA of a great cab? Ted Glennon leads a killer group of heavy-hitters to taste and share insight: David Ramey, Jay James MS and Decanter Magazine’s California editor, Jonathan Cristaldi will showcase wines from Bordeaux to Chile, Napa, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Get tickets.

The Pyramid Valley Story With Steve Smith

Named as one of Decanter’s “50 Most Influential People for the Next Millennium,” winemaker and master somm Steve Smith unveils the first public tasting of the 2022 Botanical Collection. His session focuses on the most sought-after wines from New Zealand. Since their initial release in 2006, the Botanical Collection has created a new dimension for NZ wine. Get tickets.

A Perfect Wine

What’s the deal with the “points” scoring system that every wine shop touts? Is there a perfect wine? Three of the industry’s top minds from different parts of the industry—the critic (Decanter’s Jonathan Cristaldi), the sommelier (t), and winemaker (David Ramsey) each have their own ideas about what makes a wine perfect. They’ll poke a little fun at the scoring system, and share some of their near-perfect wines. Get tickets.

Saturday, October 5

Trip The Fizz Fantastic With Ted Glennon 

Dig bubbles? Same. Champagne started the category, but now there’s a whole solar system of great bubbles. Beverage director Ted Glennon (former wine director of the Hotel del Coronado and beverage director of Pebble Beach Wine + Food) leads a panel of rising-star talent to take us on a fizz-tacular voyage through nine new worlds of great sparkling wine. Get tickets.

The post Wine Legends Head to San Diego This October appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

With more than 25 offerings throughout the week, including a two-day tasting event, charitable golf and pickleball tournaments, and exclusive culinary experiences around the city, there’s plenty to love about the second-annual event. Plus, a portion of this year’s ticket sales will benefit Feeding San Diego once again.

At the Grand Tasting, held on October 5-6 at Surf Sports Park, more than 100 restaurants and 150 international wine, spirits, and beverage producers will showcase their best for attendees. Guests can enjoy bites and sips while mingling with celebrities, including Food Network stars, celebrity chefs, and professional athletes like two-time Olympic medalist Alex Morgan. 

General admission for a one-day Grand Tasting pass is $165 but if you’re looking for the best-of-the-best, check out all the perks afforded VIP ticket-holders. Priced at $425 for one-day passes, the VIP experience includes the below offerings: 

Saturday & Sunday

Bluefin Tuna Filleting Demonstration & Sashimi

On both days, VIPs can enjoy a fileting demonstration of an 80lb Bluefin tuna, led by master sushi chef Jeff Roberto, owner of Sushi On a Roll and Kyoto Japanese Market. Guests will also have the chance to sample fresh sashimi, highlighting the art of sushi-making.

First Glass by Whispering Rose

Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Whispering Rose, perfect for toasting to a fun-filled day in the sun.

Complimentary IVs from LIVV Natural & Med Spa

Guests can enjoy IV therapy from LIVV Natural & Med Spa, offering vitamin-rich fluids and nourishment to keep you on your feet and energized during the Grand Tasting.

DJ Sets

Both days, DJs will be spinning vinyl throughout the day in the VIP tent, including music from longtime San Diego radio personality Chris Cantore. 

Saturday Only

VIP Host: Troy Johnson 

Food Network personality (Guy’s Grocery Games, Iron Chef) and co-owner of San Diego Magazine, Troy Johnson, will emcee day one of the VIP Experience. Visit the VIP tent to chat with the longtime food critic and San Diego native. 

First Bites with Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless & Puesto

Celebrity Chef Lauren Lawless, known for her appearances on Food Network shows like Chopped and MasterChef, will be serving up wagyu tartare on crispy furikake rice. Puesto will also be in the VIP tent, offering zesty bites from their salsa and guacamole bar that might just be worth spoiling your appetite for.

VIP Reception

VIP ticket-holders get to enter the event before GA attendees and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. can enjoy exclusive bites from Cucina Enoteca, Flawless Cuisine, Puesto, Sushi on a Roll, Warung RieRie, Seabreeze Craft Chocolates, and Lauren Lawless. Plus, drinks from Tapo Truck and premium rosé from Whispering Angel. 

VIP Exhibitors

At 1 p.m., kick-off the festivities at the VIP tent offering even more exclusive food and beverage options such as: Amalfi Llama, Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Austin Hope Wines, Azuki Sushi, Booker Wines, Callie, Caymus Vineyards,The Cov Wine, Cowboy Star, Cuvaison Winery, DAOU Vineyards, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Despacio Mezcal, Domaine Ott, Ember & Rye, Fraiche Wine Group, Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, G.D. Vajra, Huntress, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Kobrand Wine & Spirits, Kingfisher, Kinme Omakase, The Marine Room, Marisi, Puesto, Pyramid Valley Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Rare Society, Robert Green Vineyards, Roma Norte, Four Seasons Aviara, The Setting Wines, Tap Truck, The Fishery, Warung RieRie, Valle, and Vinos Finos de California, and Whispering Angel Rosé.

Sunday Only

VIP Host: Alex Morgan 

Recently retired San Diego Wave captain and two-time Olympic medalist Alex Morgan will host day two of the VIP Grand Tasting experience. Her involvement in the festival honors San Diego’s blend of sports and culinary culture, while also supporting her nonprofit which will be hosting mini golf and football activations during the Grand Tasting. 

First Bites with Lola 55 & Crudo Cevichería & Oyster Bar

VIP guests arriving on Sunday will be welcomed with tacos from Michelin-recognized Lola 55, along with an irresistible ceviche and raw bar from Crudo Cevichería & Oyster Bar.

VIP Reception 

Similar to Saturday’s events, come early from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy exclusive offerings from Cow by Bear, Crudo Cevicheria & Oyster Bar, Cucina Enoteca, The Grill Dads, Lola 55, Rock Angel, Sushi on a Roll, Tapo Truck, and Whispering Angel Rosé at the VIP reception.

VIP Exhibitors

On Sunday, check out the VIP wineries you missed the day before or enjoy new restaurants showcasing their fare on this day only. Restaurants exclusive to Sunday’s guests are: The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Nine-Ten, Ambrogio by Acquerello, Extraordinary Desserts, Paradisaea, Lumi, Red Tracton’s, Despacio Mezcal, and Garibaldi cocktails. Don’t worry, The Fishery, 31ThirtyOne by Deckman’s, Seasons Restaurant, the Amalfi Llama, and The Marine Room will also be back for day two.

The Grand Tasting will be held at the Del Mar Polo Fields (at Surf Sports Park) on Oct. 5-6. Get your one- or two-day VIP tickets at delmar.wine. 

The post The VIP Experience at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The week culminates in the festival’s crown jewel: The Grand Tasting, a two-day celebration featuring over 100 exhibitors dishing up samples from the city’s top restaurants, celebrity chefs, and wineries at Surf Sports Park (formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields). Plus, a portion of proceeds from Del Mar Wine + Food Festival will be donated to Feeding San Diego. Last year, DMWFF raised $25,000 for the nonprofit.

The inaugural DMWFF in 2023 included highlights like a tequila-paired dinner with actors Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, oceanfront dining at Michelin-starred Valle, a pickleball tournament with quarterback Drew Brees, and a Grand Tasting event that drew more than 6,000 guests. The 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival promises to be even bigger and better. Here’s your daily guide to the upcoming festivities:

BUY YOUR GRAND TASTING TICKETS NOW

Wednesday, October 2 

Tacos, Tortas + Tequila Hosted by San Diego FC at Monarch Ocean Pub

Kick off the festival with one of San Diego’s newest professional sports teams, San Diego FC, at Monarch Ocean Pub in Del Mar. This opening event features tacos, tortas, and tequila—three things essential to all San Diegans’ diets. And what could be better than taking shots off the field with winger Chucky Lozano and goalkeeper Duran Ferree? 

Price: $165 | Time: 6–9 p.m. | Buy Tickets

Thursday, October 3

Marisi Fall Harvest

Welcome autumn with a five-course feast at Marisi in La Jolla. Hosted by Italian winemaker Pio Cesare (a brand known for its famous barolo made with grapes from Northern Italy’s Piedmont region), this seasonal dinner will showcase the latest harvest from Chino Farm, handmade pasta from Marisi, and curated wine pairings from the family behind Pio’s 142-year-old wine empire.  

Price: $225 | Time: 6–9:30 p.m. | See the Pairings & Buy Tickets

Trattoria Dia Prato on The Lawn at Rancho Santa Fe

Enjoy a traditional four-course Italian supper on the lawn at Rancho Santa Fe. The dinner features dishes crafted by chef Jackson Kalb (Top Chef/Ospi Venice), celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito (James Beard Award winner and best-selling cookbook author), and restaurateur Jason McLeod (CH Projects) in a beautiful outdoor setting. 

Price: $300 | Time: 6–9:30 p.m. | Buy Tickets

Fine Wine + Spirits at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe will also host a fine wine and spirits seminar on October 3, giving attendees the chance to learn from some of the biggest pioneers in winemaking. The afternoon will feature talks led by winemakers and sommeliers from The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas, Pyramid Valley Vineyards, Benchmark Wine Group, and more. The event also includes a rare Burgundy tasting and a blind tasting experience to test your palate against the pros. 

More details coming soon!

Friday, October 4

Drew Brees Hosts the Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament

Drew Brees may be famous for his football skills, but don’t underestimate his pickleball game. For the second year in a row, Brees will host the annual celebrity pickleball tournament in Encinitas, featuring a lineup of heavy-hitters in support of Feeding San Diego. Participants can sign up for casual, intermediate, or advanced tournaments—or sip a refreshing beverage from the comfort of the sidelines. 

Price: $125 for spectators; $150–$600 for pickleball players | Time: 12–4 p.m. | Buy Tickets

Napa Luxe at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Napa’s top winemakers, including Benchmark Wine Group, Chateau Montelena, Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards, and more, will offer a tasting experience at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Guests will enjoy a flavorful tour through Central Valley varietals, with thoughtfully paired bites served alongside each glass. 

Price: $225 | Time: 6–9 p.m. | Buy Tickets

Fine Wine + Spirits at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe

Couldn’t make it to The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe’s Thursday event? Here’s your second chance to get in on all the fun. Attendees have the chance to hear from legendary figures in the wine industry, such as David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars (he’s called “Professor Chardonnay” among oenophiles) and master sommelier Ian Cauble, known for his appearance in the 2012 documentary SOMM. The evening will include moderated discussions and exclusive tastings, including a blind tasting led by prominent sommeliers.

More details coming soon! 

Saturday, October 5

THE BIG EVENT: Grand Tasting Day One

The Grand Tasting is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival’s marquee event, with more than 100 local restaurants, wineries, and drink makers in attendance. In addition to endless bites and sips, the event will feature live DJs, a professional photo station, shopping from women-owned businesses in a vendor area hosted by San Diego Magazine, and so much more. Upgrade to a VIP ticket for early entry and access to exclusive eats from restaurants like Azuki Sushi, Deckman’s, Warung Rie Rie, Ambrogio by Acquerello, and many others. 

Price: $165–425 | Time: 12–4 p.m. for VIP and early-entry ticket-holders; 1–4 p.m. for general admission | Buy Tickets

Sunday, October 6

THE BIG EVENT: Grand Tasting Day Two

Regretting not nabbing that delicious-looking crudo you side-eyed on your way out on day one? The Grand Tasting continues with another opportunity to sample the best of San Diego’s culinary scene. Consider purchasing a two-day ticket bundle for the chance to ease your stomach’s FOMO. Check the exhibitors’ page for updates on the latest additions to the Grand Tasting roster.

Price: $165–425 | Time: 12–4 p.m. for VIP and early-entry ticket holders; 1–4 p.m. for General Admission | Buy Tickets

Beach Cleanup and Seafood Brunch with Brian Malarkey + Javier Plascencia

Start your Sunday by giving back to the 619 with a beach cleanup at Cardiff Reef with pro surfer Jake Marshall. Afterward, head to Herb & Sea for a seafood brunch prepared by chefs Brian Malarkey and Javier Plascencia on the restaurant’s outdoor deck, accompanied by morning cocktails. 

Price: Beach Cleanup – Free; Brunch – $150 | Time: Beach Cleanup – 7:30–8:30 a.m.; Brunch 9–11 a.m. | Buy Tickets

Mer de Baja with Chefs Benito Molina + Drew Deckman

Savor a French-Baja fusion dinner at Rancho Bernardo Inn prepared by Drew Deckman, the Michelin-starred chef who recently debuted 31ThirtyOne in North Park, and Benito Molina of Masterchef Mexico, known for his Michelin-recognized restaurant Manzanilla in Ensenada. This dynamic duo promises a tasty culinary journey that won’t require a passport.

Price: $250 | Time: 6–9:30 p.m. | Buy Tickets

Hometown Heroes Hosted by Tiffany Faison at Nolita Hall

Celebrate with San Diego Wave FC at this chic Little Italy venue while dining on dishes inspired by the hometowns of Wave players. The evening’s roster includes two-time Olympic medalist Alex Morgan and Olympian (and SDM cover star) Jaedyn Shaw.

Price: $150 | Time: 6–9 p.m. | Buy Tickets

Monday, October 7

Happy Fillmore Golf Classic Benefiting Feeding San Diego

Put your short game to the test at the Happy Fillmore celebrity golf tournament, the grand finale of the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival. This event is your chance to hit the links with the stars and burn off the food and drinks from the Grand Tasting the day before. Sorry, neither Bob Barker nor Drew Carey will be in attendance. 

More details coming soon! 

The post A Guide to the Events at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Fest appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

When is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival takes place October 2-7, 2024, with the Grand Tasting October 5-6. Doors open for VIP ticket holders and early entry at noon, general admission opening at 1 p.m.

Where is the festival located?

The event is held at Surf Sports Park, formerly the Del Mar Polo Fields, at 14989 Via de la Valle, Del Mar, CA 92014.

What are the different ticket options?

General Admission

One-day general admission tickets are priced at $165, while the two-day pass goes for $265. Both options grant you unlimited food and drink during the Grand Tasting from the festival’s selection.

Early Entry General Admission

Get in ahead of everyone while still having all the wide selection offered at general admission using the early admission tickets. Priced at $225 for one-day tickets and $375 for two-day passes, you gain an extra hour for first dibs and to meander the grounds before the crowds come.

VIP Tickets

At $425 for a one-day ticket and $775 for a two-day pass, the VIP tickets offer access to a special VIP-only area, as well as more food and drink vendors to choose from. More details on the VIP experience will be announced closer to the date of the festival.

What food vendors will be there?

With a multitude of vendors and options for tasting, many top restaurants in San Diego will be featured at this event, including Civico 1845, Deckman’s Restaurant Group, Finca, Jolie, Kingfisher, Little Frenchie, Lola 55, the Marine Room, Marisi, Nolita Hall, Rosemarie’s Burgers, Tacos 1986, and many more. See the complete list here.

VIP Exclusive Food Vendors

• Amalfi Llama
• Ambrogio by Acquerello
• Azuki Sushi
• Crudo
• Deckman’s
• Kinme
• Marisi
• Puesto
• The Fishery
• Warung Rie Rie

What wineries and drink vendors will be there?

No day in a field by the sea is complete without the perfect selection of fine wines right at your fingertips. DMWFF will be featuring several wineries and breweries, including Adobe Road Winery, Bianchi, Calera, Doffo Winery, Domaines Ott, Hahn, Henebery Spirits, Library Collection Wine, Melograno, Solento Organic Tequila, Tap Truck, and many more. See the complete list here.

VIP Exclusive Wineries

• Austin Hope Wines
• Booker
• Caymus Vineyards
• Cuvaison
• Daou
• Fraiche Wine Group
• J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine
• Ramey Wine Cellars
• Whispering Angel

What VIP experiences are available for purchase?

There are 12 VIP experiences for purchase that are separate from the Grand Tasting. Tickets for these events range from $125 to $600.

Wednesday, October 2

• San Diego FC Hosts Tacos, Tortas + Tequila at Monarch Ocean Pub
  • Buy Tickets

Thursday, October 3

• Marisi’s Fall Harvest with Pio Cesare
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• Trattoria di Prato with Chefs Rocco DiSpirito, Jackson Kalb + Jason McLeod at the Lawn at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
  • Buy Tickets
• In the Boardroom with Mark Bright + Benchmark Wine Group at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Blind Tasting with the Masters at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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Friday, October 4

• Napa Luxe at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Drew Brees Hosts the Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament at Bobby Riggs
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• Coastal Cowboys Dinner presented by Experience Scottsdale in La Jolla
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• A Night of Divine Art + Cuisine at The Kitchen at the Museum of Contemporary Art
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• My Life in 8 Glasses at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• A Few of My Favorite Things at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Apertivo Italiano Wine Seminar at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• Great Cabernet Terroirs at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• The Pyramid Valley Story at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• In the Boardroom with Ian Cauble MS + Benchmark Wine Group at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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• A Perfect Wine at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
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Sunday, October 6

• Mer de Baja with Chefs Benito Molina + Drew Deckman at Rancho Bernardo Inn
  • Buy Tickets
• Tiffani Faison Hosts Hometown Heroes with San Diego Wave FC & Big Queer Food Festival at Nolita Hall
  • Buy Tickets
• Beach Cleanup and Seafood Brunchwith Brian Malarkey + Javier Plascencia at Herb & Sea
  • Buy Tickets

Monday, October 7

• Happy Fillmore Golf Classic Benefiting Feeding San Diego
  • Buy Tickets

Are the same food vendors and wineries available both days?

Most food vendors and wineries will be at the Grand Tasting on both days. However, we do recommend you check the event’s itinerary online for more information on vendor schedules.

Will I see any celebrities at the event?

Of course! The DMWFF will be hosted by Food Network and San Diego Magazine’s own Troy Johnson (Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives; Guy’s Grocery Games). Returning to the DMWFF are Wave FC’s Alex Morgan, former pro footballer Drew Brees, and pro surfer Rob Machado. Celebrity chefs such as Aaron May, Benito Molina, Catherine McCord, Claudette Zepeda, Claudia Sandoval, Javier Plascencia, and many more will be featured in events throughout the festival. Other guests include Kyle Cooke of Bravo’s Summer House, as well as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day.

Are children and pets allowed?

As this is a 21+ event, children and pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals.

Is there a dress code?

While there is no formal dress code stated, it is recommended to show off, it being Del Mar and all. But no need to worry about getting tuna crudo all over your best shirt. Semi-casual wear is welcome, too.

Where can I park?

Surf Sports Park offers plenty of parking at $20/day. Utilizing designated drivers and rideshare services are highly recommended, especially if you plan on drinking. Public transportation is also available in the area.

What public transportation options are available?

The bus route 308 drops passengers off at Via de la Valle and Caminito Porta Delgada. If that’s still a little far for you, the COASTER commuter train meets at the 308 route at the Solana Beach stop.

What hotels are nearby?

For those looking to invest in an overnight stay for the Del Mar Wine + Food festival, hotels like the San Diego Marriott Del Mar, Residence Inn Del Mar, and the Residence Inn La Jolla are all close to the Surf Sports Park.

Will there be live music?

Yes! More information on live music and DJs will be posted on the festival’s website and socials.

What cause does the Del Mar Wine + Food festival ticket support?

The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival has once again chosen to partner with Feeding San Diego, who focus on distributing food and alleviating hunger within the San Diego area. Portions of the tickets and proceeds will be donated to this organization.

When is the last day to buy tickets?

Tickets are sold day-of, so long as they aren’t sold out at that point. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait until then. Secure your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out on this event.

How can I contact event organizers?

For general inquiries, email [email protected]. For questions regarding tickets, email [email protected]. For media inquiries, email [email protected]. 

The post Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2024: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

This year brings more chefs from TV places—including Rocco DiSpirito, Maneet Chauhan, Aarti Sequeira, and Tiffani Faison.

The festival’s concept is threefold. First, bring some of the country’s top chefs with a global spotlight to cook alongside San Diego’s food and drink people—which helps put the city’s food scene in the national spotlight. Second, show off the city’s famed active lifestyle and culture through partners Alex Morgan and the Wave FC, Drew Brees and his pickleball tournament at Bobby Riggs, and a beach day with pro surfer Jake Marshall. Third, raise money for the hunger relief efforts of Feeding San Diego (year one raised $25,000). 

This year’s festival will go from Oct. 2-7, culminating with the grand tasting on Oct. 5-6. 

More names will be announced later, but the initial roster of national chefs coming to San Diego includes: DiSpirito, Chauhan, Sequiera, Faison, Aaron May, Eric Greenspan, Catherine McCord, Jackson Kalb, and Grill Dads. 

From the local scene, early confirmations from some of San Diego and Baja’s big names: Brad Wise (Trust, Wise Ox), Brian Malarkey (Puffer Malarkey), Travis Swikard (Callie), Drew Deckman (Deckman’s en El Mogor/31Thirtyone), Roberto Alcocer (Valle), Javier Plascencia (Finca Altozano/Animalon), Benito Molina (Manzanilla), Claudette Zepeda (Iron Chef), and Claudia Sandoval (MasterChef). Wineries and drink-makers including Kosta Browne, Kistler Wine, Pali Wine Co., Storyhouse Spirits, Chateau Montelena, Bivouac Ciderworks, and Nova Kombucha will offer tastings of their latest creations.  

“I’ve been lucky to live in two food worlds for a long time—writing about local culture through San Diego Magazine, and then being part of the national conversation on Food Network,” says Troy Johnson, SDM’s longtime food writer and festival culinary director. “With DMWFF, we’re bringing those two worlds together in one space.”

This year’s festival will kick off with an opening night celebration at Nolita Hall with San Diego’s new MLS team, San Diego FC, and will conclude with a collaboration between the San Diego Wave FC women’s soccer team and the Big Queer Food Fest on Sunday. Players from the San Diego Padres will also be making appearances throughout the week. 

“The melding of food and drink culture with SoCal’s legendary active lifestyle was a no-brainer. Chefs and food are what brings people around a table. Or in this case, to a massive cookout by the sea,” says Johnson. “And what do you talk about when you’re around the table? You tell the stories of local culture.

And in SoCal that culture is active and outside. Having Alex and Drew and Rob and the Padres and Wave FC and San Diego FC be a part of this is huge. They’re a huge part of who we are.” Kyle Cook of Bravo’s Summer House will also be in town to showcase his portfolio of canned seltzers, cocktails, and teas. 

For the latest updates and newest additions to the lineup, check out DMWFF’s headliners page and subscribe to the festival email newsletter for updates on this year’s event. Mark your calendars, reserve your tickets, and begin the countdown for San Diego’s greatest celebration of food and drink this year. 

Here are a few things you should know ahead of the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival:

When is the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

The 2024 Del Mar Wine Wine + Food Festival will take place October 2-7 throughout San Diego county.

Where is the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

The main event of the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, the Grand Tasting, takes place on the Del Mar Polo fields also known as the Surf Spots Park at 14989 Via De La Valle, Del Mar. 

A wide variety of exclusive dinners, drink tastings, and other lifestyle events are available for purchase individually on DMWFF’s website. These festivities include chef-curated dining experiences across San Diego’s hottest restaurants, a celebrity pickleball tournament, a golf tournament for charity, wine tasting, and plenty more. 

When is the 2024 Grand Tasting?

The Grand Tasting takes place this year on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6. 

How much are tickets? 

General admission for the Grand Tasting event starts at $165. The festival also offers an Early Access General Admission option for $225 offering an additional four hours before general admission to meet, greet, and feast. VIP tickets will grant guests access to unique pre-festival experiences including food and drink tasting experiences.

Where can I buy tickets for the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

Buy tickets today at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival website.

Are pets or kids allowed?

Unfortunately only service animals are allowed into the venue. Kids must be 21 years old to attend the festival.

Editor’s Note: San Diego Magazine and SDM owners Claire and Troy Johnson are partners in Del Mar Wine + Food Festival. They/we created it to bring something awesome to the city’s food and drink culture. There is absolutely bias here, but we thought you should know about this. For an independent take, please read this article in Forbes.

The post Celebrity-Stacked Headliners Announced at the 2024 Del Mar Wine + Food Festival appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Robert Perkins Skylark Wines Q&A Del Mar Wine + Food Festival 2023

Courtesy of Skylark Wine Company

Skylark Wine Company was never supposed to exist. John Lancaster and Robert Perkins were doing great as the manager and sommelier, respectively, at Boulevard in San Francisco. The famous farm-to-table pioneer was even awarded the Best Restaurant in America by the James Beard Foundation. Wine was just supposed to be a little passion project, a couple of restaurant guys who loved vino making a barrel or two just for kicks.

Now, the duo own are heading into their 19th harvest. Theirs is a boutique operation, making Rhône-style reds, Provence-style rosés, and pinot blanc at a total of around 5,000 cases per year (a winery can produce up to 49,999 cases annually and still be considered “small”).

Perkins was born and raised in Coronado, and he’s coming home for the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival to pour his wines and engage with the community that produced him. Festivals like this are the only opportunities to taste Skylark Wines outside of restaurants, so we rang Perkins to ask him a few questions about winemaking, DMWFF, and the extreme circumstances under which he’d consider making a chardonnay.

What is winemaking like, especially if you were to analogize it to somebody who’s never done it.

I’m a painter, and I think about blending trails in that respect, in having that palette of barrels. And how a little of [one wine in the blend] can go a long way. And, say a little of this makes it really nice—well, doubling that doesn’t necessarily assist it. From a color palette to a barrel palette, I think they’re very similar in how you approach it. I also agree it’s probably like [being] a chef, in the sense of how you combine things. What is it that you’re going for? Are you going for a one-note wonder? Or are you going for layers and nuances?

To come from the restaurant floor to winemaking seems so intimidating. How did you navigate all the variables with that first barrel or the first vintage? When did you feel like you got a sense of what you were doing?

We certainly had a number of angels on our shoulders. There were people around we could lean on [to ask] how to negotiate contracts, where to find our barrels, [and] how to set up insurance, compliance, and record-keeping and all that. When it came to oenology, we paid through the nose to lab-test the wines in the beginning years. The pinot blanc and the syrah were both challenging wines.

We made a lot of mistakes that first year that we quickly changed in 2006, both in how we handled it and how we communicated. It was John and I together, and in those days, one of us was at the winery, and the other had to be on the floor of the restaurant, so we were rarely side by side. There was a lot of phone communication, and it was a learning curve, without a doubt. I’m still learning.

You’ve said that you make wines that you like to drink, but do you ever find yourself at a point where you think maybe the best thing for particular wine would be to push it away from your personal taste? Does that make sense?

Well, a little. So, we worked with chardonnay. In the beginning, we were steadfast that we were not going to work with chardonnay. And a gentleman, Alex McGregor [of Saracina Vineyards], kind of held our hand. He goes, “Look at this vineyard; look at this fruit; look at this price. This is a no brainer.” So we decided, okay, if we’re going to do a chardonnay, we’re going to do it in a Mâcon style.

This was early on, back [in] 2006. So we did it: stainless steel, no malolactic fermentation, four months on lees, and we gained some really nice press behind it. We were really breaking that California mold [of buttery, rich chardonnays]. So, I guess we were following our passion. You see a lot of [unoaked chardonnays] now, but back then, there weren’t many.

Do you make it back to San Diego much?

I do! My family still lives on Coronado. They own the hardware store. I get back at least two or three times a year. When my parents were still alive, it was more often, but still—I’m coming down for the Coronado Beer & Wine Festival two weeks after Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, so I’ll get some good family time.

How has the wine scene changed down here since you started out?

It’s definitely changed. When I first started being a salesman of our own wines, it was very chocolate-and-vanilla. It was like it had to be chardonnay or cabernet for me to even get in the door. Or it was a corporate list.

How does it feel to pour wines back home?

Oh, it’s fantastic. I love it. For the longest time, I wanted my flag in San Diego so bad. Those were the chocolate-and-vanilla days. When I would get an account or two in Coronado, in the beginning, it was thrilling. You know, my mother could go order it.

And my mother was so funny. A little side story: [At] every restaurant she went to, she’d ask if they had Skylark, all the while knowing they didn’t have it.

Early guerilla marketing?

It became this thing! It was so embarrassing. And, whether I was there or not, I just knew she was doing that. Then, one day she was at C-Level on the water, and they had our syrah on the list. It was, you know, $75. She asks about it, like she always did, and they go, “Yes, we have it; it’s right here.” She sees the price and says, “Oh no, I won’t pay that.” I go, “Mom, pony up and buy the bottle!”Catch Skylark Wine Company at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival’s Grand Tasting on September 9 & 10. Get your tickets here.

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Carlos Anthony, executive chef at Herb & Wood, Del Mar Wine Food Festival 2023

Photo Credit: James Tran

Chef Carlos Anthony has been to the top of the mountain. He talks about food with the enthusiasm of an undergraduate, but it’s passion, not naivety: Anthony has been there and back again.He started at a pizza joint in Tucson, Arizona and earned his way to head chef; opened his own restaurant (Salt & Cleaver); was winner of the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen and Chopped: Next Generation competition show; closed his restaurant; and regrouped to become executive chef of Herb & Wood, one of the most celebrated kitchens in the city.And then he turned 28.From Sept. 9-10, chef Anthony will be joining over 100 of the citys’ best food and drink makers and celebrity chefs at the inaugural Del Mar Wine + Food festival to showcase his years of experience across two days of food, wine, entertainment and VIP experiences.We caught up with chef Anthony ahead of the event to hear his thoughts on the future of the San Diego culinary scene, why community is more important than Michelin Stars, and his favorite places around the city.

Herb & Wood – Feb 2023 -Credit James Tran Del Mar Wine Food Festival 2023

Photo Credit: James Tran

I loved Salt & Cleaver [his former sausage restaurant]. I think about that Duck Duck Pig sausage all the time.

Thank you so much for saying that! Man, that was a time in my career where I really thought I could take on the world. And I think that oftentimes, you need to have some failures in life to really make you realize what’s important. It was very sad but also a very important part of my career.

As the former sausage king of San Diego, who’s doing the best sausages in San Diego right now?

My guy Drew Bench at Papalo has some of the best smoked meat in town. And what’s really cool is that it’s a Sonora-style barbecue. So he has sausages, he has brisket, he’s got all these wonderful barbecue items, but he does it with this Hispanic flair. He spent some time in Mexico, cooking with some of the best chefs in the world, and it shows. It’s like a homey kind of place, and God, is he the nicest guy. He’s that kind of guy that’s always in front of the pit, and happy to talk to you about it. And his sausages are good.

Really under the radar too, isn’t it?

Yes, it really is. You know, I love those kinds of places that, you know, are unimposing and hit you by surprise with their chef-driven food and great cocktails and it’s like a fun little neighborhood atmosphere. I know he’s also doing pizzas out of the place next door and it’s just really great.

You also ran a taco restaurant and have spoken warmly in the past of your grandmother’s cooking and how it’s informed your sensibilities. Are there any tacos spots that feel like home to you in San Diego?

I think asking somebody their favorite taco is so particular to that person. And you hit it right, it’s really the things that make you reminisce of home, the simple things, that are great. I’ll tell you a place that’s been here for decades, and it’s a taco truck called Kiko’s Place. It is the greatest, simplest fish taco. It’s fresh, it’s homemade… The local tip I’ll share with you is that it’s a fish cart, right? So they have octopus, they have marlin, they have ceviches and clamatos, and their fish tacos are what they’re known for.But you go there, you’re hungover, get a cup of their broth, the soup they make everyday with all their fish scraps, and God it just brings me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen. You know that stewing tomato broth with fish scraps and chilies. It’ll cure any hangover, and paired with the perfect fish taco, it’s so, so, so good.And they’ve been doing it for years. It’s a family run business, I think third generation now the daughters are running it.

You’ve been here since 2009?

Yeah. 2009. I came here at a young age. My first job was at La Costa at the Blue Fire which was their fine dining restaurant. And I remember being a young, impressionable kid and I’ve really seen San Diego transform into a food destination, into chef-driven culture.We used to be an IPA town, right? And now we’re this food mecca with Michelin stars. And we have some of the best cocktail programs in all the state.

How have restaurants in the city changed in the 14 years that you’ve been here? Has Michelin made a big change or has it just kind of accelerated what was already happening?

I think that Michelin is less of it, because I don’t know if all of us are hunting [for stars]. It’s really great to see that come to our town. But I think that you have a lot of young chefs that have come along in our industry with these incredible creative minds. I think in the past, there was a lot of competition, and maybe like “us against them,” but now we’re all friends.There’s this group mentality of doing better, utilizing the produce and the seafood that’s around us. I remember when we first opened Seersucker, we would have a special fish, right? You talk to your fisherman once a month or something, you’d have one thing. Now we build our entire menus out of San Diego oceans and the incredible produce around us.The community is much more about taking care of locality and thinking about regenerative agriculture and how it is affecting us. And now I think San Diego is a staple for how to treat food and how to be positive in that direction, and it’s made awesome restaurants.

You kind of just answered my next question, but: Does San Diego have a style of food? Is San Diego cuisine a coherent idea?

What I love about San Diego’s we’re a melting pot of culture and to see the vast nets of different cultures in different areas of San Diego is really what I think makes us special. Obviously we have an incredible Filipino community, and obviously a great Hispanic background, but we all are focused around produce and seafood that’s the best in the world.The best in the world. This is the mecca of food. And now over the last I think five to 10 years, we really started to showcase that.What is the last meal or dish you had in San Diego that just knocked you down?Callie. Travis Swikard is just so, so good. Especially for me, as a chef who does Mediterranean food, this is really my background, so to go to see somebody of his caliber just knocks me off my seat. Every time I go there. He has the simplest food but everything has a story and meaning.He talks about it in great detail. He’s excited, he’s geeked out about it. He’s like “Oh man, Jack Ford grew this spring onion just for me.” It blows my mind every time. I think I get excited about food when I go there, and I love that. I love having chefs to look up to, and admire, and see them doing it right.

Is there a restaurant opening that you’re particularly excited for?

The big one that I’m excited about opening is Le Coq. And Carlo. This is a restaurant in our group and we’re currently building and they’re working with us right now. It’ll be in La Jolla. The Puffer Malarkey Collective has retaken the old Herringbone location and is building an incredible French steakhouse, Le Coq.We have one of the best chefs in town, Carlo Guardado who is doing incredible things. And right now he’s working with me at Herb & Wood, so I’m seeing his incredible creations firsthand, and I’m so excited about it.

Ok, a few rapid fire questions. Favorites in San Diego, either all-time or lately:

Pizza?

I’m gonna go with the Detroit-style pizza at Prince Street downtown. Out of this world.

A date night spot that is not in your restaurant group?

Wolf in the Woods in Mission Hills. Really good wine by the glass. And the food is tapas-style, so you can go there without breaking the bank, have an incredible glass of wine and some of the best food, and it is so cute.

You’ve talked about how much you like going to the beach with your dog. Favorite beachy spot, or favorite spot near the water?

There are so many. I’ll tell you, I currently live in Bird Rock. And it might not be too beachy but Marisi in La Jolla is blowing my mind. You can go there right off the beach, and it’s super good. The food there is really amazing and the cocktail scene is great.

Favorite place to share a bottle of wine?

So, again, I’m probably biased to my locale but there is an incredible wine company right across the street. LJ Crafted Wines, right in Bird Rock. They’ve been making their own wines and just sourcing some of the greatest things ever. We are a part of their monthly wine club and get their stuff all the time.

Favorite cocktail bar?

Man, I’m torn. But I’m a tiki guy, I just love the show, so I’m going to say False Idol. I just think it’s so fun back there. I think what they do with the cocktails and the scene is just too fun to miss. And if you’re in San Diego, you gotta go check it out.

What are you doing at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival?

We’re doing an event on the deck at Herb & Sea with Rob Machado and Brian Malarkey, it’s going to be incredible. Really looking forward to that. And then also we’re going to be in the VIP tents at the Grand Tasting.We’re so excited to be there. I mean, this has got some of the greatest chefs ever put together. You know all the best chefs of San Diego and Southern California really, there’s some great chefs coming down from LA. I’m so excited to be there and to eat with some of these legends, and hang out with some of the greatest people in San Diego. It’s going to be an event not to miss.

The post Q&A With Del Mar Wine + Food Fest’s Chef Carlos Anthony appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Brandt Beef – VIP Experience at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival

Courtesy of Brandt Beef

OK this might be something.Absinthe tastings, bluefin tuna, DJ sets, bone marrow luges, the good wine, tableside mozzarella, icons of food and drink, a famed chef and Food Network star, one of the world’s biggest soccer icons—all in a tent on a lawn. The VIP experience at the Grand Tasting (Sept. 9-10) is set.

Here’s what to expect.First, a comparison. GA tickets cost $175 per day. About the cost of a (really good) steak dinner. Whether or not that’s worth it depends on how much you value an unlimited-course feast from the best chefs in the city, plus unlimited wine and assorted creative beverages. With GA, from 1-4 p.m. you get to taste dishes from about 50 of San Diego’s best restaurants, endless sips of the best wineries from the U.S. and beyond. Plus live music on a double-decker bus, a massive putting green, various games and experiences…. a pretty epic day.

The VIP experience will run $475. For that, ticket holders get access to the festival a full 90 minutes earlier, skip the line, and head directly to the tented VIP lounge, which will serve as your oasis for the day. There, some of San Diego’s top restaurants, chefs, and brands have curated experiences for general food-person enjoyment. Such as:

Susan Feniger (Saturday)

Feniger, half of the duo behind famed L.A. restaurant Border Grill and longtime Food Network host (Too Hot Tamales), will be Saturday’s special guest in VIP. She’ll be serving a Peruvian-style ceviche. She’ll also preview snippets of Susan Feniger: Forked, a phenomenal documentary that chronicles her life in the kitchen and TV and at home, produced by her longtime partner Liz Lachman.

Alex Morgan (Sunday)

Part of what makes DMWFF unique is the inclusion of SoCal culture icons like Morgan, Drew Brees, and Rob Machado. Morgan—the international soccer phenom and now San Diego icon as the captain of San Diego Wave FC—will be the official host of Sunday’s VIP, mingling with guests throughout the day.

Bluefin Sushi on the Spot

As guests enter, Jeff Roberto of Sushi on a Roll will show them how to break down a locally caught bluefin tuna—and make sushi on the spot for their first bite of the festival.

First Glass

Rock Angel and Whispering Angel Rosé will hand out the first glass.

Steak & Caviar

Chef Aron Schwartz of Ranch 45 will serve up steak and eggs (Brandt Beef eye of rib, caviar, steak sauce, micro-arugula).

The Brandt Beef Experience

Brandt—the iconic single-source, drug-free, family owned ranch in Brawley who’s headquartered in San Diego—will offer a whole slew of experiences. From bone marrow luges with Dos Hombres Mezcal to various bites (bone marrow tostada with seabass, beef shawarma on flatbread), and a beef pairing with DAOU.

The Napa Valley Experience

Napa Valley Vintners will put on three experiences showing off the stars of the region—rosé (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.), white wines (1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.), and red wines (2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.).

DJ Sets

Various DJs will spin vinyl throughout the day, including music from high-fi hospitality group Consortium Holdings and San Diego music icon Chris Cantore.

Scratch Pasta (Saturday)

Chef Cesarina Mezzoni, of San Diego’s fresh-pasta star Cesarina, will do some ancient magic with flour and dough for everyone to taste.

Tableside Mozzarella (Sunday)

Tim Kolanko, culinary director of Urban Kitchen Group, will stretch and pull fresh mozzarella for cheese lovers.

The Restaurants

Saturday

Deckman’s en El Mogor, Fort Oak, Kingfisher, Marisi, The Fishery, Wormwood, Wrench & Rodent, Cesarina, Barbusa.

Sunday

Azuki Sushi, Cucina Enoteca/Urban Kitchen Group, Deckman’s, Jeune et Jolie, Marisi, Market Restaurant + Bar, Matsu, Mister A’s, Nine-Ten, Valle, Wormwood.

Oh, the Wines

A mix of famed, culty, and up-and-coming wines will be inside the VIP tent to pour, including: Chateau Montelena, Caymus, Cobb, Kosata Browne, Calera, Scarpetta, Big Hammer Wines, Double Bond, Ground Wine Co., Made by Light, Vinos Finos de California/Vöcal Vineyards, Parea, Saison, Somnium, The Wonderful Project.

The Grand Tasting will be held at the Del Mar Polo Fields (at Surf Sports Park) on Sept. 9-10. Tickets at delmar.wine.

The post The VIP Experience at the Del Mar Wine + Food Festival appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

herb-and-wood-sdm-0223.jpg

Photo Credit: Bailey Films Photos

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival: Sunday, September 10

Rob Machado Beach Cleanup and Seafood Brunch with chefs Brian Malarkey and Aidan Owens

7:30-8:30 a.m., Cardiff State Beach | 9-11 a.m., Herb & Sea | TICKETS: $95Kick off Sunday with legendary pro surfer Rob Machado’s beach cleanup and seafood brunch with chefs Brian Malarkey (Top Chef, Herb & Wood, Herb & Ranch, Herb & Sea, Animae) and Aidan Owens (exec chef at Herb & Sea). The beach cleanup will take place at Cardiff State Beach, followed by brunch at Herb & Sea in Encinitas). There’s no cost to participate in the beach cleanup (7:30 to 8:30 a.m.). Brunch takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. and includes wines from Daou as well as food stations serving a variety of seafood options.

The Wines

Daou Chardonnay Reserve 2021

Daou Discovery Rose 2022

The Food

Station 1: Grilled Oyster

Station 2: Tuna Carpaccio Toast

Station 3: Blinis Caviar Onion Dip

Station 4: Crab Niçoise Salad

Station 5: Lobster Roll Benedict

Station 6: Oyster Raw Bar

Station 7: Shrimp Brochette

Grand Tasting 2023 — Day Two

1-4 p.m. | Del Mar Polo Fields | TICKETS: $175-$475Day two gives you another chance to mingle with celebrity guests such as Alicia Gwynn ( Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, President and CEO of Gwynn Enterprises) and top chefs like Benito Molina (Masterchef) , Brad Wise (Rare Society), and Claudia Sandoval (Masterchef) serving delicious bites paired with hundreds of boozy beverages.Interested in attending Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Tasting events? Check out the two-day passes starting at $325 per person. For more information on the biggest food and drink event in San Diego, visit the official website.

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