The California Wine Festival is returning in 2023 with a new lineup of events, celebrating 20 years … [+]
The California Wine Festival, which has been a successful annual event for the past two decades, is returning in 2023 with an exciting lineup of oceanfront tasting opportunities. The festival is held in different venues across California and showcases the state’s vast wine making regions and its diverse cuisine, paired with live entertainment and expansive coastal views.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, an intimate experience for wine lovers, held on the Friday evening of each two-day affair. The evening starts with a sparkling wine reception, followed by samplings of hard-to-find trophy wines and exclusive tasting room wines from vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Temecula, and other regions. The top regional culinary talent will serve delicious hot and cold appetizers to pair with the high-quality wines, while attendees overlook the picturesque waterfront landscapes.
The next day is the Beachside Wine Festival, a sun-drenched daytime event that is a celebration of culinary education and exploration. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations and tastings with representatives from California’s most esteemed wineries and local restaurants. The festival offers access to hundreds of premium California wines and regional craft brews, which can be paired with samples of artisanal cheeses, fresh-cut fruit, shellfish, salads, olive oil, decadent chocolate, and more. A live band will provide the perfect setting for a carefree day in the sunshine, surrounded by the breathtaking coastal California scenery.
The California Wine Festival is returning in 2023 with a new lineup of events, celebrating 20 years … [+]
“It is phenomenal to look back at when we first founded the festival in Santa Barbara two decades ago and see how far we have come today,” says Emily Kaufmann, Executive Director of the California Wine Festival. “We’re still here, bigger than ever, providing the quintessential California experience at more venues across this beautiful state. There are so many phenomenal winemakers and chefs who continue to make our festival a must-attend event year after year.”
In addition to promoting and celebrating the exquisite wines and diverse cuisine of California, the festival also aims to advance charitable organizations in each event location. Many of the events will feature a silent auction during the Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, with proceeds going to benefit organizations such as Sandy Feet Initiative, Surfrider Foundation of South Orange County, Golden Rule Charity, and Food Bank of Santa Barbara County.
With its 20th event season, the California Wine Festival continues to pay homage to the vast offerings from the winemaking regions of the Golden State and everything that makes California the perfect destination for wine enthusiasts. The festival offers a unique opportunity for wine lovers to discover world-class wines and sample the state’s diverse cuisine, all while taking in the breathtaking coastal California scenery and enjoying live entertainment.
EVENT SCHEDULE
CA Wine Festival Dana Point — April 14-15, 2023 **VENUE CHANGE**
April 14: Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting: Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, Vue Lawn
April 15: Beachside Wine Festival: Sea Terrace Community Park
CA Wine Festival Carlsbad — June 23-24, 2023
June 23: Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, The Gardens
June 24: Beachside Wine Festival: Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Heron Lawn
CA Wine Festival Santa Barbara — July 14-15, 2023
July 14: Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting: Chase Palm Park, Carousel House
July 15: Beachside Wine Festival: Chase Palm Park, Oceanside
CA Wine Festival Huntington Beach — November 10-11, 2023
November 10: Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting: Paséa Hotel & Spa, Sapphire Ballroom
November 11: Beachside Wine Festival: Paséa Hotel & Spa, Indoor and Outdoor