San Diego Wine + Food Fest Celebrates 20 years!
I had a feeling that the 2024 SAN DIEGO WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL was going to be insane. After all, it’s the 20th anniversary and that’s not nothing. They just announced their headliners and events and let me tell you that they pulled out all stops to create a week long experience that’s going to blow you away.
For those of you who haven’t been to this event before the San Diego Wine + Food Festival is a week long “immersive journey into the world of gastronomy”. OK, that’s a mouthful so let me break it down. On Nov 9th there’s what’s call The Grand Tasting event held along the bay in the large grassy peninsula behind Seaport Village. You’ll find rows and rows of booths handing out glasses of wine and unlimited bites of gourmet food. This is the big event and here’s the link to get tickets. It’s possibly the best wine and food event in the country.
On Sunday, Nov 10th, there’s a smaller event held at the park in Liberty Station that’s just tacos and more wine and more drinks. That’s called The Grand Fiesta and is a favorite of mine, a low key and laid back afternoon with tacos, tacos and more tacos, live music, it’s a killer event and and feels so very San Diego. Tickets are a less expensive than The Grand Tasting making it a good event to attend if you just want to see what all the fuss is about. Take my word for it, you will love it. Here’s ticket info for The Grand Fiesta. I go to both events, they’re different but both super fun.
Headliners for the SD Wine + Food Fest 2024
But there’s more to the San Diego Wine + Food Festival other than those two main events. During the week are more events to keep your food and wine spirit indulged. This year features a blend of James Beard award winners, chefs of Michelin star restaurants, celebrity chefs and personalities from Food Network and Top Chef, and includes exclusive dinner events, special tastings, even an excursion into Mexico’s wine region. You’re going to be glad that your company still lets you “work for home” because you’re going to want to do all of these events.
This year’s roster includes culinary luminaries like Alice Waters, Elizabeth Falkner, and Mexico’s first chef to earn a Michelin star, Carlos Gaytán, and many more.
Here’s a calendar of everything happening from Saturday, Nov 2, all the way through the next weekend. You’ll want to check out the complete list but here are some of my favorites.
Love thy Neighbor(hood): Food and art exploration of Barrio Logan, Sunday, Nov 3. Ticket Info
Sabores Eternos Pairing Dinner: Six courses exploring the vibrant traditions of Mexico’s Day of the Dead - paired with wine, of course. Wednesday, Nov 6th, Ticket Info
Baja Culinary Expedition - Michelin Guide Edition: Tour Valle de Guadalupe’s most prestigious wineries and restaurants. Luxurious and delicious. Ticket Info
Amizetta Napa Valley Winemakers Dinner: Limited seating at the beautiful L’Auberge Del Mar Adelaide restaurant with bubbles, wine, and appetizers while mingling with the winemaker and somm Cristina Merrigan, followed by a meticulously crafted late harvest fall menu dinner that promises to elevate this to an evening to remember. Ticket Info
Mister A’s Tasting Experience: The OG of San Diego elevated dining, Mister A’s stunning views of the city are surpassed by this rare opportunity to experience Revana, a highly allocated California cult wine. Ticket Info
And there are more events, more neighborhood excursions cooking classes, caviar and bubbles, the list goes on and on. Want that complete list again?
Let me close by saying that The San Diego Wine + Food Festival deserves to be on your calendar. Pick some events during the week and cap it off at The Grand Tasting and The Grand Fiesta and you’re living large, San Diego style!
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Ray Isle (Author, The World in a Wineglass, Executive Wine Editor, Food & Wine Magazine,)
Maynard Llera (Kuya Lord, LA, 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: California)
Clarice Lam (Author, Breaking Bao, 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalist Best New Restaurant)
Carlos Gaytán (Hà, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 1-star Michelin; Paseo, Anaheim; Tzuco, Chicago; Top Chef; Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico)
Anne McBride (Vice President of Programs, The James Beard Foundation)
Roberto Alcocer (Malva, Valle de Guadalupe and Valle, Oceanside, 1-star Michelin)
Charlotte Randolph (Inaugural Michelin Sommelier of the Year, co-owner of Californios, San Francisco, 2-star Michelin)
Matt Crafton (Winemaker, Chateau Montelena, Calistoga)
Danielle Nierenberg (President, Food Tank)
Ruffo Ibarra (Orix Restaurante, Baja, Bocuse d’Or)
Suzette Gresham (2-star Michelin Aquerello, San Francisco)
Travis Swikard (Michelin Bib Gourmand, Callie, San Diego)
Claudia Sandoval (Claudia’s Cocina, Master Chef Latino)
Kevin Gómez (North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024; Aruba Day Drink, Tijuana)
Jairo Villalvaso (Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico, Beef, Baja)
Cameron Ingle (Marisi, La Jolla)
Drew Deckman (1-star Michelin, Conchas de Piedra, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja + 31THIRTYONE)
Oliver Seki (Seki Restaurante, Baja, Bocuse d’Or)
Marcelo Hisaki (Restaurant Amores, Baja, Michelin + Bocuse d’Or)
Gerardo Carrera (Sabina Sabe; Oaxaca, #22 World’s Best Bars 2023)
Ewan Bennie (Young Blood; San Diego, #49 World’s Best Bars 2022)
Mawa McQueen (Mawa’s Kitchen, Aspen)
Ming Pu (James Beard Policy for Change Boot Camp Alum, Brooklyn and The Butcher, New Albany, IN)
Matt Vawter (James Beard Foundation Awards 2024 Winner Best Chef: Mountain; Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Colorado)
David Alarcon (Fuego Santo, Piedra Santa, Baja)
Esteban Lluis (Michelin Star 2024, Damiana, Baja)
Mairym Monti Carlo (Netflix, Food Network)
Hugo D’Acosta (Winemaker, Casa de Piedra, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
Lulú Martinez (Winemaker, Bruma Winery, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
Oscar Torres (1-star Michelin; Animalón, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
Javier Plascencia ( 2016 James Beard Award Nominee Best New Restaurant, 1-star Michelin, Animalón, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
James Trees (2020 James Beard Award Finalist Best Chef Southwest; Esther’s Kitchen, Las Vegas)
Juan Cabrera (Casa Tijuan, Baja)
Diane Moss (Project New Village)
Bob Kamensky (CEO of Feeding San Diego)
Jonathan Bautista (James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist 2023; Ember & Rye, Carlsbad)
Jiranan Tanvilai Mo, Eo Pitiwartarlai, JuMi Pitiwartarlai (Sovereign Modern Thai, San Diego)
Javier Caro (La Justina and Oja y Valle de Guadalupe, Baja)
Denise Grande (Solare Ristorante, San Diego)
Ken Cook (President, Environmental Working Group)
Mark Kropczynski (AAA Four Diamond; The US Grant Hotel, San Diego)
Gustavo Arellano (Los Angeles Times)
Danny + Dante Romero (Two Ducks, The Lion Share, Ponyboy, San Diego)
Eduardo Salgado (Food & Wine en Español’s Best New Chef 2024; ‘Emat, Baja)
Anthony Wells (James Beard Foundation Awards semi-finalist 2022; Juniper & Ivy, San Diego)
Reyna Venegas (Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico Manager; Rancho La Puerta, Baja)
Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter (Theology and Religious Studies, USD)
Stephane Voitzwinkler (AAA Four Diamond; Mister A’s, San Diego)
Miguel Angel Guerrero (La Querencia, La Esperanza, Baja)
Bernard Guillas (Maître Cuisinier de France)
David Sim (Kingfisher, San Diego)
Jennifer Gilmore (CEO of Kitchens for Good)
Clare Fox (Executive Director of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders)
Martin San Roman (Former Bocuse d’Or Team Mexico; Dobsons, San Diego)
Carlos Esquivel (Corazón D’Petra, Baja)
Ian Ward (Ponyboy, San Diego)
Angelo Sosa (Tia Carmen, Kembara, Phoenix, Top Chef)
Josh Orr (Master Sommelier, Broadbent Selections)
Touré Folkes (Executive Director of Turning Tables)
Jaz Brisack (Union Organizer, Starbucks Workers United)
Emily Burgueno (Head Seed Keeper, Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel)
Beau du Bois (America’s Top 25 bartenders by The Daily Meal; Roma Norte, San Diego)
Jack Ford (Owner/Rancher; Taj Farms)
DuVal Warner (Ranch 45, Solana Beach)
James Montejano (Executive Chef, L’Auberge Del Mar)
Gale Gand (Food Network Personality, Two time James Beard Award Winner, Restaurateur, Author)