The California Wine Festival is one of my favorite wine and food fests in San Diego. It’s more low key, more manageable, more relaxed than some of the other big events. You want wine, you walk up and get it. More food, no problem. And the north country beach vibe is all over this event, it’s really a great way to spend an afternoon with friends or neighbors.

And don’t worry that the wineries are second rate - You’re sure to find a ton that you love including wineries from Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, as well as some local wineries. Here’s the list:

• Adobe Road Winery

• Austin Hope Family Wines

• Barlow Vineyards

• Bellante Family Winery

• Bernardus Winery

• Darcie Kent Estate Winery

• Doffo Winery

• Double Bond Wine

• Dracula’s Daughter Prosecco

• Esfuerzo Wines

• Goldschmidt Vineyards

• Hall Wines

• Harvey & Harriet

• Hawk and Horse Vineyards

• Head High Wines

• King Frosch Wines

• Kubani Wines

• Lloyd Cellars

• MCV Wines

• Michael Mondavi Family Wines

• Miner Family Wines

• Navarro Vineyards

• New Zealand Wine Navigator

• Pamec Winery & Vineyard

• Pasmosa Sangria

• Poggio Leano Winery

• San Simeon Wines

• Santa Rita Hills Wine Alliance

• Sinegal Estate Winery

• Tehachapi Winery

• Wente Vineyards

• Wine Guy & Wine Gal

The event extends over two days. Overlooking expansive lush green vistas beneath string lights at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s The Gardens, Friday evening kicks off with a Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, a special experience for wine enthusiasts. A sparkling wine reception begins the evening of sampling hard-to-find reserve wines and offers tasting room exclusives and limited-production wines descending from vineyards based in California’s world-class wine producing regions. Popular North County restaurants will serve delicious hot and cold appetizers to pair with the decadent wines. 

During the evening event, guests will have the ability to participate in a silent auction, bidding on coveted items such as exotic wines, tasting tours and dining certificates. Proceeds from this auction will benefit Golden Rule Charity, an organization dedicated to helping people in the hospitality industry during unexpected hardships.

The Next Day….

The next day, this wine tasting experience continues with a Beachside Wine Festival taking place at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort's Heron Lawn. The festivities will allow guests to improve upon their wine education and exploration through intimate conversations and tastings with winery representatives hailing from California’s world-famous wineries as well as culinary talent from the region’s most lauded restaurants. Guests will have the opportunity to experience hundreds of premium California wines and regional craft brews, paired with bites from the many culinary establishments present. The VIP Pavilion will feature a selection of reserve-level wines as well as craft brews along with special seating adjacent to the resort’s award-winning golf course overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve.

Don’t forget about the food!

Top-tier restaurants from North San Diego County and beyond serving delectable appetizers to accompany the festival’s exquisite wine selections include: aficio22, Aquamar California Rolls, Beshock Ramen, Bluewater Grill, Carlsbad Cookie Company, EPAA! Empanadas, Farm Fresh Home Foods, Gino Angelini Authentic Italian Sauces, Goufrais Southern California - Cocoa Confection, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Icelandic Glacial, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Kelly's Croutons, Kerrygold, Krave Asian Fusion Restaurant, Mendocino Farms, Orfila Vineyards Tasting Room & Kitchen, Ponto Lago, p.o.p. candy co., Prager Brothers Artisan Breads, Savory Bites, Señor Grubby's and Grubby's Poke, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamics, Swoon, Torsap Thai Kitchen Carlsbad, and Waterloo Sparkling Water.

Tickets start at $65 - that’s a steal when you compare this to other wine and food festivals charging $200 to $400 per person!