3 minute read
Wine, Beer and Food
from Sunday Signal 041623
by Signal
By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer
May and June abound with California wine and beer festivals. There is a festival for everyone including those looking for high end, once-in-alifetime experiences, or those just hoping to relax and find a new favorite brew or bottle of wine.
May 6
High Desert Beer and Wine Festival
Palmdale Amphitheater, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale 9355
Info www.palmdaleamphitheater.com/ events/2023/high-desert-beer-and-wine-festival
Beer and wine sampling, food truck fare and music by the ‘80s cover band The Spazmatics. This evening event that starts at 7 p.m. (VIPs at 6 p.m.) features many of the region’s best craft breweries and wineries. Tickets ($22-$67) must be purchased in advance.
May 13 Noon-5 p.m.
10th Central Valley Brewfest
Stanislaus County Fair Grounds, 900 N. Broadway Ave., Turlock 95380
Info cvbrewfest.com
Art, music and more than 150 brews to sample. Back by popular demand is the VIP wine sampling tent. Premier ticket holders will have the opportunity to sample local wineries, local brews and a freshly-baked baguette for $60. General Admission tickets available for $45.
May 13 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sun, Wind & Wine Festival
Mer Soleil Winery, 1290 River Rd, Salinas 93908
Info santaluciahighlands.com/events/wine-festival
The 15th Sun, Wind & Wine Festival offers a strolling wine tasting through the barrel cellar of Mer Soleil Winery, which is not normally open to the public. Enjoy limited-release Santa Lucia Highlands wines plus gourmet small bites and artisan goods. Tickets $135-$165.
May 13 Noon-5 p.m.
Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival
Main Street, Half Moon Bay 94019
Info hmbwineandjazzfest.com
Enjoy California wine, local eats and nationally-known jazz artists including Paula West, the Marcus Shelby Quintet and the John Santos Sextet. Tickets: $25-$125.
May 18-21
Paso Wine Fest in Paso Robles Wine Country
Info pasowine.com/winefest
Toast the acclaimed wine scene in Paso Robles at this long-weekend event with live music, winemaker dinners, seminars, and lots of tastings, all highlighting the region’s 100+ wineries.
The centerpiece of the weekend will be the Grand Tasting held at the Paso Robles Event Center on Saturday, May 20, noon to 4:30 p.m. which offers more space to taste as well as dedicated parking, concessions, restrooms, shade and additional outdoor and indoor venues. The event center is located at 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles 93446.
The Grand Tasting will feature more than 115 wineries, craft distillers, live entertainment, food for purchase from 10+ food vendors, local artisan vendors, commemorative wine glass and tote bag.
May 18-21
Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience
West Plaza Lot, 30 North St., Healdsburg 95448
Info healdsburgwineandfood.com
Located in the heart of California wine country, the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience is a weekend-long celebration featuring the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. Events feature local growers, winemakers and renowned chefs.
The festival will showcase the region’s makers, farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs, alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world.
The highlight of the event is on Saturday, May 20, the Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting. Experience wines from over 100 of the finest producers from Sonoma, Napa and internationally renowned regions. Local and international chefs will prepare extraordinary bites with Sonoma’s seasonal agricultural bounty. Enjoy live music as you mix and mingle with some of your favorite makers throughout the day. Tickets are $250 for general admission entry.
May 27 1-5 p.m.
Viva La Cerveza!
Madonna Inn Meadows, 100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo 93405
Info vivalacerveza.com
If eating tacos and drinking beer is wrong, I don’t want to be right. This is a Memorial Day Weekend beer festival with unlimited beverage samples, a selection of tasty tacos to sample and vote for the best as well as cornhole boards, bouncy games giant pong, other games and music. Tickets $55.
June 10 Noon-4 p.m.
San Diego Brew Festival
NTC Park, 2455 Cushing Rd, San Diego 92106
Info sandiegobeerfest.com
The 12th annual San Diego Brew Festival finally returns! The event will feature over 70 breweries, 200 beers, 10 of San Diego’s best food trucks as well as cover bands and lawn games.
General admission ($50; 1-4 p.m.) includes unlimited samples from over 70 breweries, plus live music and access to food trucks. Early admission ($65; noon - 4 p.m.) includes specialty beers.
June 23-24
California Wine Festival
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa, 7100 Aviara Resort Drive, Carlsbad 92011
Info californiawinefestival.com/carlsbad
This two-day festival includes a Friday evening sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting ($105) and a Saturday Beachside Wine Festival ($75 general admission). Early entrance tickets at noon are $95.
This is the quintessential California wine tasting experience with sun, sea, food, wine and music. It all comes together at this sun-splashed wine fest overlooking lush rolling hills and the shimmering Pacific Ocean.
A two-day VIP pass ($200) includes the Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting ticket at The Gardens and the Beachside Wine Festival ticket on the Heron Lawn with early entry at noon and exclusive admission to the VIP Pavilion, appetizers, reserve level wines, cheeses, tables, chairs and shade.
