Two things California is justly famous for are its beaches and its wine, which come together at the California Wine Festival. Founded in 2004 in Santa Barbara, it’s one of the largest outdoor wine festivals in the state. And it’s a great way to entertain clients or gather co-workers together for sips, bites and bonding.
Over the next 10 months, the California Wine Festival will take place at four locations in Southern California, all offering ocean views and plenty of Pacific breezes.
Here’s the schedule:
November 11-12, 2022
Huntington Beach
April 14-15, 2023
Dana Point
June 23-24, 2023
Carlsbad
July 14-15, 2023
Santa Barbara
The Huntington Beach gathering will take place at Paséa Hotel & Spa, kicking off, on Friday, Nov. 11, with the intimate Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting. A sparkling wine reception begins the evening of sampling hard-to-find trophy wines and offers tasting room exclusives and limited-production wines. Top chefs from the Huntington Beach area will serve hot and cold appetizers to pair with the world-class wines.
Throughout the evening, guests will be able to participate in a silent auction, bidding on 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 experience continues with a Beachside Wine Festival held at the hotel’s indoor and outdoor spaces on Saturday, Nov. 12. The coastal afternoon event will advance culinary education and exploration through one-on-one conversations and tastings with food industry talent as well as winemakers and representatives hailing from California’s top wineries and local restaurants. Attendees will have access to hundreds of premium California wines and regional craft brews. World-class wines can be paired with artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, fresh-cut fruit, shellfish, salads, decadent chocolate, cakes and more.
Pacific City, a shopping, dining and entertainment destination located next door to Paséa Hotel & Spa, is hosting the official “California Wine Festival After Party” from 4-7 p.m. at the Old Crow Smokehouse, located within Pacific City. Festival guests will enjoy live music and drink specials.
Beer lovers won’t be neglected. Throughout the event craft breweries will also be present including Beachwood Brewing, Belching Beaver Brewery, Golden Road Brewing, F!VE, Sabe Beverages, and Speakeasy Ales & Lagers.
“We are excited to call the Paséa Hotel & Spa home again this year. Their location is unparalleled as it’s right by the Huntington Beach pier and where the sand meets the sea,” says Emily Kaufmann, executive director of the California Wine Festival. “We have such an all-star lineup of wineries, local restaurants, and breweries that our guests won’t know where to start!”
For more information, visit CalifoniaWineFestival.com.
