South Coast Winery Wins Big at 2020 Toast of the Coast

August 5, 2020 by evebushman

TEMECULA, Calif. – South Coast Winery, owned by the Carter family, proudly accepted multiple awards at the 2020 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition produced by the San Diego County Fair. The winery won Best Pinot Grigio in the competition as well as a Double Gold medal for its South Coast Winery 2019 Pinot Grigio, along with four Gold Medals and two Silver. Additionally, sister property and member of the Carter Hospitality family, Carter Estate Winery won a Gold Medal in the event.

The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition, which recognizes and promotes wineries producing the finest quality wines, took place February 29 to March 1 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, Calif. A total of 633 wines were judged by 15 prominent wine industry professionals – a group that included winemakers, sommeliers, wine journalists and wine business managers.

“We are honored to continue adding prestigious recognition and top awards to our over 3,000 wine accolades accumulated since our inception in 2003,” said Jeff Carter, president of Carter Hospitality, which owns South Coast Winery and Carter Estate Winery. “The Toast of the Coast citings reinforce our mission to use expert knowledge and craft to produce the very best wines, always retaining a sense of each varietal’s personality and terroir of origin.”

South Coast Winery’s results for this competition: 2019 Pinot Grigio won Double Gold and “Best Pinot Grigio” award; 2017 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir won Gold; 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon awarded a Gold designation; Gold for 2018 Chardonnay Sans Chêne and NV Berenda Road Zinfandel; and 2015 Merlot and 2018 Sauvignon Blanc were Silver winners.

In addition, Carter Estate Winery 2015 Blanc de Noir won a Gold medal.

The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition traditionally culminates with showcasing winning wines at the Toast of the Coast Wine Festival at the annual San Diego County Fair. The festival, originally scheduled for June 13, 2020, has been postponed until June 12, 2021, due to COVID-19.

A list of all winners and additional information is available at thetoastofthecoast.com.

About South Coast Winery Resort & Spa

The only winery among the state’s top wineries to claim the title of California Winery of the Year four times at the California State Fair Wine Competition, South Coast Winery Resort & Spa sets the gold standard for excellence amongst California wineries, earning more than 3,000 awards since its inception in 2003. Situated on 63 lush acres, the resort offers a breathtaking retreat for wine tours, romantic getaways and group events with 132 rooms and villas, a working winery and tasting room, gift shop, full-service spa and restaurant.

South Coast Winery offers a broad portfolio of 45 wine labels, the majority of which are available for sampling in its main tasting room – from robust reds such as Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir to whites including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Riesling. Also available are sparkling wines, dessert wines and other specialty offerings. The winery employs a staff of skilled winemakers, including master winemaker Jon McPherson and winemaker Javier Flores, both with decades of experience in the wine industry.

For more information, visit www.southcoastwinery.com.

V. Sattui Winery named “Domestic Winery of the Year”

June 27, 2020 by evebushman

V. Sattui was named 2020 “Domestic Winery of the Year” after earning a remarkable 26 medals, including 10 that were awarded Platinum and 12 awarded Gold at the 38^th annual San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge. The Napa Valley winery, specializing in vineyard-designate bottlings, produced a tie for “Wine of the Year” with their 2016 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon ($92) and 2016 Vangone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($140), each dazzled with a score of 98 points out of 100. V. Sattui’s Bordeaux-style blend, the 2016 Paradiso ($95), narrowly missed a three-way tie with a score of 97 points.

Seven more V. Sattui wines scored Platinum, including their 2017 Napa Valley Malbec ($46) with 95 points and 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($52) with 96 points. Their Estate Vittorio’s Vineyard produced two more Platinum winners: 2017 Petit Verdot ($47) and Cabernet Sauvignon ($78), both earning 94 points. Additional 94 point wines included V. Sattui’s 2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir ($48), 2018 Los Carneros Pinot Noir ($39), and 2017 Napa Valley Syrah ($42) – further displaying the winery’s broad range of quality wine varietals.

The venerable San Diego International is one of the oldest and most revered competitions in the United States. Founded by award-winning wine columnist Dan Berger and Bob Foster and wine rep Dick Colangelo in 1982, the competition has been under the guidance of nationally syndicated wine columnist Robert Whitley for the past 17 years.

Whitley has assembled a remarkable team of dedicated wine enthusiasts, including Director Rich Cook and Chief Judges Michael Franz (Wine) and Maurice DiMarino (Spirits), to oversee planning and production of this important annual deep dive into wine & spirits evaluation. The San Diego International chooses its judges carefully, always with an eye toward giving each wine and spirit entered a fair shot on a level playing field. This year’s panel of judges included a prestigious list of winemakers, wine writers, and sommeliers.

“American and foreign wine competitions can be, and often are, unpredictable. It’s not unusual for an unknown to show up and claim a top award. But some things never change. One of those would be the inevitability of V. Sattui Winery, one of Napa Valley’s finest,” stated Whitley. Speaking to V. Sattui’s richly flavored 2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, “Notes of black cherry, ripe strawberry, fall spice and gentle oak toast entice on the nose and please on the palate, with a supple texture and a long, fully integrated finish keep you coming back for more. Wines like this are why Pinot Noir is so popular.” he added.

“I am very proud and happy for our vineyard and winemaking teams; they work so hard and deserve all the credit for this amazing recognition of our wines. To be Voted Best Winery and tie with ourselves for Best Wine of the competition is a tremendous feat,” says Winery President, Tom Davies.

JEFF RUNQUIST WINS “WINERY OF THE YEAR” IN 2019 FOUR TIMES OVER

February 27, 2020 by evebushman

PLYMOUTH, CA – Jeff Runquist Wines has been awarded 2019 “Winery of the Year” at Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition, the California State Fair, Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition and by Robert Whitley’s “Wine Talk.”

This was Runquist’s third year in a row winning “Winery of the Year” at Berger’s competition and the fourth time in the last five years he has received this distinction. Runquist earned the David Stevens Memorial Trophy at the competition, awarded to him for the feat of earning 10 awards of gold or above from his 35 entries. Jeff Runquist Wines was also their Red Sweepstakes Winner, with the 2017 “R” Petite Sirah, Enver Salman Vineyard, Clarksburg garnering Best of Class Triple Gold.

“Jeff Runquist Wines has almost single-handedly added luster to the red wines of the Sierra Foothills and mid-eastern California,” states Berger.

Robert Whitley also recognized Jeff Runquist Wines as “Winery of the Year” in his syndicated “Wine Talk” column.

“Over the course of the past year, I have tasted thousands of wines, judged multiple wine competitions and traveled thousands of miles to evaluate wines from Bordeaux to the Napa Valley… [Jeff Runquist Wines] rose up and smacked me between the eyes in 2019,” said Whitley.

Jeff Runquist Wines was named “Winery of the Year—Domestic” at the Critics Challenge International Wine & Spirits Competition in San Diego. He entered 29 wines there and medaled with 28. That total included four platinum and 15 gold awards, with 19 of their 29 wines earning gold or better.

In addition, he was Winery of the Year for the second year in a row at the 2019 California State Fair, from this year’s field of 2,811 entrants.

Jeff Runquist is a small producer of single vineyard designated red table wines with the motto, “Come taste the diversity and drink the glass less traveled.” His winery and tasting room are located in the heart of the Sierra Foothills, in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley.

Runquist produces 25 different red varietals in small lots, each from a single vineyard. His wines are fruit forward with emphasis on the terroir of the vineyard of origin and smooth, elegant tannins. The four principle wines that his winery tries to have on hand year round are Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera, and Petit Verdot. Beyond that, anything goes – as long as the grape comes from California and has the ideal match of soil climate to personality. Sometimes this leads Runquist to varietals many may not have heard of, such as Tannat, Carignane and Charbono.

This insatiable curiosity combined with his four decades of experience helps take Runquist’s wines to the next level, but he also attributes his success to his unique partnerships with his growers. Depending upon the varietal, Runquist teams with sixteen different growers from different parts of Northern and Central California, pairing the particular grape varietal with a specific vineyard site. The growers share his passion and know the value of harvesting grapes at their peak of flavor, color and character. All but four of his wines carry a vineyard designation and the name of the grower and a close relationship with growers and a respect for their fruit is revealed in every bottle of Runquist wine.

One great way to get to know Runquist’s wines is at his elegant Tasting Room in quaint Plymouth, California, open seven days a week from 11:00am to 5:00pm. No two (or three, or four) tasting room experiences are ever the same, as Jeff Runquist Wines produces more than two dozen exciting and different varietals. The staff is savvy about the geography and history of each grape, curating a voyage through Runquist’s universe of wines.

Oenophiles who stop by the Tasting Room on March 7 or 8 can enjoy the “Behind the Cellar Door” event, when 43 Amador County wineries, including Jeff Runquist Wines, will be opening their cellar doors for a weekend of education, food, and award-winning wine. For details about this event, visit BCDAmador.com.

Learn more about Jeff Runquist Wines at www.jeffrunquistwines.com.

Spa Girl Cocktails Accelerates Past Market Test Sales Targets

November 30, 2019 by evebushman

SAN DIEGO /PRNewswire/– Spa Girl Cocktails clean ready-to-drink vodka cocktails have taken off with great velocity in the three test markets: California, Nevada and Arizona. Key off-premise retailer partnerships to date include Albertsons, Vons, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres, BevMo and Total Wine & More, with current expansion into Whole Foods, Gelson’s and premium independents such as Seaside Market in Encinitas, California.

A recent entrant in the alcoholic beverage industry, Spa Girl Cocktails has created product differentiation by providing women, a vastly underserved group, the delicious-tasting, clean, low-cal, low-sugar, vegan and gluten free vodka drinks they crave.

“Spa Girls Cocktails has really hit a sweet spot. They offer the lowest-calorie, lowest sugar, lowest carbohydrate, highest-proof ready-to drink-cocktail on the market today with no artificial sweeteners or colors and using natural flavors. They are defining what it means to be a Clean RTD Cocktail.” This is according to Dr. Susan Beck, Ph.D., L.Ac., CNN. (Editor’s note: RTD = ready to drink.)

“…Today consumers want to make better choices about what they put into their bodies, and Spa Girl Cocktails is helping them head in that direction by creating forward-thinking products,” shared Dave Miller, Vice President – Liquor Retail, Albertsons.

“We are thrilled to have the brand represented by Southern Glazer’s, as they are proud supporters of women owned and led brands,” stated Bill Beyer, Board of Directors, Spa Girl Cocktails. CEO Alisa Marie Beyer “and her proven all-woman leadership team, are ready to bring a real disruptive spirit to the market by combining innovative and clean products with a well-crafted lifestyle brand for women of all ages.”

“I chose to enter the beverage alcohol industry because women are an underrepresented consumer across the total alcoholic beverage industry – even though they account for nearly half of the category’s total consumer base. It’s time for women to make their mark in premium spirits,” stated Beyer.

ABOUT: Spa Girl Cocktails, Inc. San Diego-based Spa Girl Cocktails is a clean, better-for-you premium vodka beverage company. Spa Girl Cocktails launched with its award-winning “pop and pour” vodka cocktail – the lowest-calorie, lowest sugar, lowest carbohydrate, highest-proof, ready-to drink-cocktail on the market today with no artificial sweeteners or colors and using natural flavors. It is also gluten-free and vegan.

Website: http://www.spagirlcocktails.com/home

Top Italian Wines Tour Coming to Atlanta, San Diego, DC and Boston

May 26, 2019 by evebushman

Los Angeles, Calif. – Gambero Rosso, the global authority on Italian wine and publisher of the esteemed annual Guide to Italian Wines, will bring its international tour to four U.S. cities, including first-time events in both San Diego and Atlanta. The tour also returns to Washington D.C. and Boston for the second time.

“The U.S. is the most important market for Italian wine outside of Italy and we are very excited about expanding the Gambero Rosso tour beyond traditional markets like New York and into some of the other cities with hot restaurant scenes and an appreciation for fine wine and food,” says Marco Sabellico, editor-at-large of Gambero Rosso’s Guide to Italian Wines.

U.S. Tour Information

Washington D.C. – June 3 from 2 PM to 6 PM

Embassy of Italy, 3000 Whitehaven St NW, Washington, DC 20008

A special partnership with the Italian Trade Agency
Features two “master classes” as part of the Gambero Rosso Academy; contact sarah@gamberorosso.us to request a seat.
- 11 AM Masterclass I – Northern Italy and the Appennines
- 1 PM Masterclass II – From the Sea to the South

Boston – June 5 from 2 PM to 6 PM

The Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Atlanta – June 10 from 2 PM to 6 PM

Whitehall Ballroom at Southern Exchange Ballrooms, 200 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303

San Diego – June 12 from 2 PM to 6 PM

Building 177 – 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego CA 92106

All Gambero Rosso tour information and registration links are available online at www.gamberorosso.us.

About Vini d’Italia 2019

This year’s tour celebrates the release of Gambero Rosso’s 32nd edition of their annual guide, Vini d’Italia. Produced today in Italian, English, German, Chinese and Japanese; Vini d’Italia is the definitive resource on the country’s wines and wineries. It is the result of a year of work by an expert team of 53 tasters who have traveled the country (including Switzerland’s Canton Ticino starting this year) visiting wineries, interviewing producers and tasting 45,000 wines. The book reviews 2,485 wineries and a total of 22,000 wines, noting wines of distinction with bicchieri (glasses). This year, just 436 Tre Bicchieri have emerged — fewer than one percent of the wines tasted. Vini d’Italia is not just a collection of scores and ratings; it is a fundamental and essential volume for all those who work in the sector or are interested in quality Italian wines. Available on Apple and Amazon.

About Gambero Rosso

Gambero Rosso® is Italy’s publishing and training leader in the field of wine and food. It is the only multimedia company in the sector that offers magazines, books, guides, a website, smartphone applications, and a television channel – Sky 412. Since 1987, Gambero Rosso has represented Italian-made food and wine, testing and certifying the quality of products, telling the stories behind the flavors and traditions of the Bel Paese. In Italy, Gambero Rosso offers Città del Gusto® training courses in five cities. Gambero Rosso has developed a rich, worldwide network of partnerships with prestigious culinary institutes to promote authentic Italian culinary traditions and products.

Rolex Whisky’s Gavin Linde

June 1, 2018 by evebushman

Being intrigued by whisky causes the constant desire to learn more. That quest for knowledge, and your next dram, can lead to responses to certain advertisers, brand ambassadors and tasting events.

When I was in the midst of writing about the Universal Whisky Experience I wanted to know which of the whisky people I was following on social media might be attending the same show in Las Vegas. When I learned that Rolex Whisky would be there, aka Gavin Linde, I was a little thrilled.

We did meet, we did share a dram, but it wasn’t enough as the event was so grand, and neither of us wanted to miss a moment of it, we settled on emailing later. And for me, as a writer, getting Gavin to do one of my 5-question interviews.

Here’s what I knew:

Rare Whisky & Rolex Collector Whisky hunter + Rolex gatherer + Influencer + Grocery Brand builder + Superdad (no cape) + adoring husband + foodie + traveler. #thescotchfellas. RolexWhisky on Instagram, 24.9k followers

San Diego whisky, bourbon & Rolex enthusiast, brand influencer, and rare Asian whisky hunter. RolexWhisky on Facebook

Here’s what I asked:

1. Gavin, what exactly do you do with whisky and Rolex watches, besides collecting? Are you a brand ambassador of sorts, or something else? (Basically asking if this is your day job for money or just for pleasure?)

I am a collector at heart, I have always been since a kid. I started with unique to each series Rolex watches, since as a kid I always wanted one, and I said one day I will get myself one. Well that turned into 5 so far, and there are a few more I want to get still, but there is no rush.

I have been a whisky drinker since I was 18 living in South Africa, and 3 years ago a friend of mine approached me to look for rare whiskies for his friend. That turned into what you see here, I now have contacts all over the world and actively search for rare ones for my private collection.

The end goal is to liquidate it all in 15 years to put my kids through college; that’s what I say, but lets talk in 15 years, lol. In the meantime, I drink some of them, get to hang out and meet amazing people, and this hobby has turned into a passion project. I am not a brand ambassador, but I am close to a few brands that I have resonated with as far as their liquor and their brand ambassadors.

I really had no idea this hobby was going to grow like this, and I love being a part of the community, educating others, travelling, drinking amazing whisky, and the goal by the end of this year is create something fun and exciting. My full time jobs are realtor, VP of sales for 2 natural grocery brands, and business development for my father’s promotional printing company.

2. Why the connection between fine whisky and watches? What sent you in that direction?

I started my Instagram originally to document a day in the life of my Rolexes. Then I got into Whisky and decided to change the name and come up with something memorable, so one of my mentors suggested putting one of my watches in every picture, and the other said call yourself rolexwhisky. So there you have it, it just came together naturally.

3. Dare we ask, how many bottles of whisky do you currently have in your own liquor cabinet? And more than one Rolex too?

I have around 400 bottles, primarily Japanese whisky as that is what really got me passionate about the business; I then went after the bourbons and ryes, and just recently got into the scotch bottles. I currently have 5 Rolex watches, each a unique one in the style, and of course investment pieces as they are unique and hard to come by easily.

4. Living in La Jolla, what are the bars and/or restaurants you recommend to visiting whisky lovers?

Wow, I get asked that a lot, I have a really hard time drinking out in public since I know the cost of the bottles. My go to places are Seven Grand and Whiskey House. I am trying to work with restaurants to step up their whisky game, help curate their lists for them, and not just let the liquor rep put whatever in there. One of my goals this year is to work with a few restaurants to do this, and put my stamp and my Instagram behind it.

5. What are your future plans?

To educate and get more people involved in whisky and show them some amazing brands they have never heard of. My wife’s girlfriends come by and I love introducing them to great brands I enjoy drinking. I want to be a brand ambassador for a brand I am passionate about, but more like an insta ambassador. I want to travel and visit more distilleries and go to new events. I want to build my total picture, offer luxury tastings, help people find hard to find whiskys.

People ask me the end goal, I want to create a brand that people know and understand its passion. It would be cool for some millionaire to hire me to build the ultimate whisky bar for their home too. You just never know with me. I do know I look forward to making more true friends, drinking great whisky, and always have a good time doing this. Whatever this is I love introducing people to my passion, and brands that I love drinking. I love interacting with my Instagram followers and friends, and bonus is getting to meet each other, just like we did, that is what makes this all so fun.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rolexwhisky/

Instagram: @Rolexwhisky

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Aarón Sánchez and Marcela Valladolid Headline Latin Food Fest!

February 21, 2018 by evebushman

¡Latin Food Fest! (www.latinfoodfest.com) celebrates its sixth annual festival March 23–24 at Santa Monica Beach. August 17-18 in San Diego, and November 9-10 in Irvine.

The annual Hispanic culinary celebration includes a festival kick-off party “Mexico Mercado” — a high energy party, and “Gran Tasting” – the festival’s signature event featuring food, beverage, wine, beer, and spirits stations, Cooking Demos, Chef Awards, VIP Tent, and Live Music by Latin rock sensations, Sonsoles.

Gran Tasting also includes the most comprehensive tasting of Latin spirits in the U.S., which includes Agave Liquor, Bacanora, Cachaca, Mezcal, Pisco, Popo, Pulque, Raicilla, Rum, Sotol, and Tequila. Wines from Argentina, Chile, Napa, Portugal, and Spain alongside Venezuela Arepas, Salvadoran Pupusas, Cuban Ropa Vieja, Argentine Empanadas, Spanish Paella, Oaxacan Corn, Chilean Cebiche, Dominican Chicken Yora, Honduran Tapado Costeño, Brazilian Moqueca and other Hispanic cuisine. Beer includes Tona Cerveza from Nicaragua, Estrella Damm from Spain, Estrella Cerveza from Mexico, and SOL from Mexico — and a Michelada Bar.

Chefs Marcela Valladolid, Aarón Sánchez, and Enrique Olvera will conduct cooking demonstrations on the main stage, discuss culinary trends, and sign copies of their books.

Marcela Valladolid is the host the Food Network television series Mexican Made Easy and the co-host of the Food Network television series The Kitchen. Enrique Olvera is the world’s best-known chef from Mexico; his restaurant Pujol is widely considered the best restaurant in all of Mexico, and his New York eatery Cosme sets the standard for modern Mexican cuisine. Aarón Sánchez is an award-winning chef, TV personality, cookbook author, and philanthropist.

SOMMCON POPS UP ON THE EAST COAST

December 27, 2017 by evebushman

San Diego, CA – SommCon^® announces the addition of SommCon Washington, D.C., set to take place at the Westin Georgetown July 22-24, 2018, in a pop up networking experience and conference for the region’s leading beverage professionals. The new D.C. event joins the lineup of educational opportunities alongside its sister location in San Diego with dates slated for November 14-16.

“SommCon connects professionals on a regional level, making world-class education and networking accessible through Master Classes and tasting experiences that help to shape the futures of our industry’s best and brightest,” said Master Sommelier, David Glancy of the San Francisco Wine School and a member of the SommCon Board of Advisors.

SommCon’s education is built by some of today’s most influential palates for trade professionals and serious enthusiasts who have a passion for wine and spirits and an unyielding quest for knowledge. During SommCon, attendees learn and taste alongside industry leaders through educational seminars, tasting breaks and networking opportunities.

The conference launched in San Diego, CA, in 2015 and has become a leading program and community for beverage industry professionals.

“SommCon is an important way to connect and learn alongside some of the heavy hitters and exciting personalities in the business,” said Jesse Rodriguez, Advanced Sommelier at Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina and member of the SommCon East Advisory Board. “We are excited to see SommCon ‘Pop Up’ in DC, connecting our community for three days of intense education and power networking!”

SommCon is currently seeking qualified speakers for the 2018 educational programs. Industry pros interested in joining this year’s talented roster of educators at SommCon may submit applications by January 19, 2018, to qualify. Selected presenters will be notified by email by January 30. For further information regarding requirements and how to apply, view the Speaker Application.

“On behalf of Kistler I have participated in SommCon since its inception. I have led seminars and panel discussions,” said Geoff Labitzke, Master of Wine and Director of Sales at Kistler Vineyards. “All of the sessions are filled with talented influencers with a professional diversity that creates an energy and buzz to the event. The content of the presentations blends wine knowledge and business acumen.”

SommCon Washington, D.C., takes place July 22-24, 2018, at Westin Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and SommCon San Diego is held November 14-16, 2018. Conference registration for the DC Pop Up will be available in early 2018. For more information, visit: SommConUSA.com.

Sponsors and brands interested in taking part in SommCon may contact Producer, Michelle Metter at metter@fastforwardevents.com.

ABOUT SOMMCON:^®is a leading conference for sommelier-level education and training of wine professionals and serious enthusiasts. The conference brings together industry professionals of all levels to discuss, develop, and lead the conversation on the business of wine. SommCon’s education is built by sommeliers for trade professionals and serious enthusiasts who have a passion for wine and spirits and an unyielding quest for knowledge. Attendees learn and taste their way through educational classes and seminars complete with tasting breaks and networking opportunities. SommConis produced by Fast Forward, an event management agency specializing in productions for the wine, beer, spirits and hospitality industries, fastforwardevents.com.

San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival

November 6, 2017 by evebushman

San Diego, CA – The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^®, Southern California’s largest food and wine celebration, held November 12-19, 2017 invites travelers to explore America’s Finest City with culinary getaway packages that offer savings on luxury food and wine tastings.

With incredible sights, sounds, and flavors, San Diego offers an exceptional warm weather getaway, and the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^® dishes out five mouthwatering travel packages that include tickets to a selection of the week’s signature events.

For VIPs – Enjoy access to exclusive tastings and highly allocated wines. Priced at $315 and includes:
- The Tasting at SommCon: The Vault Access ($125 value)
- Grand Tasting VIP Experience ($225 value)

For Wine Lovers – Taste hundreds of wines from around the globe alongside Master Sommeliers. Priced at $310 and includes:
- Blind Taste with the Masters ($85 value)
- The Tasting at SommCon: The Vault Access ($125 value)
- Grand Tasting General Admission ($135 value)

Experience San Diego– Taste from the city’s best chefs, restaurants and dining locales. Priced at $340 and includes:
- Fish Taco TKO ($45 value)
- Ocean-to-Table RoséWineLuncheon ($115 value)
- Grand Tasting General Admission ($135 value)
- Cali Baja Brunch ($85 value)

Producer’s Picks – Specially curated by Festival Producers, this package features a handpicked selection of can’t miss events. Priced at $665 and includes:
- Ocean-to-Table RoséWineLuncheon ($115 value)
- Culinary Icons Featuring Chefs of the Relais and Châteaux ($250 value)
- Flavors of Spain ($65 value)
- Grand Tasting VIP Experience ($2250 value)
- Cali Baja Brunch ($85 value)

Crème de la Crème – Luxury without limits, this all-inclusive getaway pulls out all the stops. Priced at $25,000 for two people and includes:
- Two (2) night stay in Presidential Suite at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
- Bottle of Screaming Eagle
- In-Room Massage for Two
- The Tasting at SommCon: The Vault Access ($250 value)
- Sail around San Diego Bay with Veuve and Caviar
- Private Cabana at Grand Tasting with Vintage Bottle of Dom Perignon
- Luxury Transport to After Party
- Private Table at After Party with Chef Meet and Greet

To book a hotel stay at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, call 877-385-9595 or book online here.

For a complete schedule of events or to purchase tickets and packages, visit

www.sandiegowineclassic.com.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL^®

The 14^th Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^®is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 12-19, 2017, the event benefits culinary arts and enology scholarships awarded by Fast Forward Futures. Over 150 wineries, breweries, and spirit companies and 50 of San Diego’s top fine-dining restaurants will participate in the 2017 Festival. For more information visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward. For more information call 619-312-1212.

Tickets Now on Sale for 14th Annual Classic

August 27, 2017 by evebushman

San Diego, CA (August 2017) – The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^® launches ticket sales for its 14^th annual culinary classic held November 12-19, 2017. Featuring over 40 citywide tasting experiences, Southern California’s largest food and wine festival is set to welcome thousands of eager epicurean enthusiasts to America’s Finest City.

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An international showcase of the world’s premier wines and spirits, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods, the annual wine and food festival showcases San Diego’s vibrant culinary community through cooking classes, chef dinners, expeditions and multiple tasting events. The Festival’s legendary Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 18 features over 200 wineries, breweries and spirits from around the world, and 70 of San Diego’s best restaurants.

The weeklong food and wine festival, raises funds for Fast Forward Futures and awards culinary, enology, and hospitality scholarships to San Diego County students and professionals seeking to further their careers in these disciplines. To date, the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival has raised over $350,000 in scholarship funds.

The San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^®offers several ways for epicurean enthusiasts to indulge in the most decadent culinary experience of the year, including all inclusive tickets packages that offer overall savings, and feature hotel accommodations as well as admission to a selection of the food and wine festival’s premier events. Discounted accommodations are available at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Hotel reservations and ticket packages can be reserved by calling, 877.385.9595.

To preview the schedule of events and featured celebrities, visit the San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^®at www.sandiegowineclassic.com.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE + FOOD FESTIVAL^®

The 14^th Annual San Diego Bay Wine + Food Festival^®is an international showcase of the world’s premier wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 12-19, 2017, the event benefits culinary arts and enology scholarships awarded by Fast Forward Futures. Over 200 wineries, breweries, and spirit companies and 60 of San Diego’s top fine-dining restaurants will participate in the 2017 Festival. For more information visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward. For more information call 619-312-1212.