Tickets are officially on sale for the inaugural Del Mar Wine & Food Festival taking place September 6-11, 2023.
The new six-day destination event was created by a group of famed San Diego natives to celebrate the soul of the SoCal lifestyle.
More than 25 events planned throughout San Diego’s coastal North County will unite a star-studded lineup of San Diego and SoCal chefs, celebrity friends, wine and spirits producers, and legendary professional athletes to introduce an impressive new culinary-fueled experience that transcends the West Coast’s festival scene.
To kick things off, National Women’s Soccer League’s San Diego Wave FC and its decorated athletes will host the opening night party with a celebration of the region’s most iconic street food.
Professional surfer Rob Machado is leading surf lessons and a beach cleanup.
Future Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Drew Brees is throwing a celebrity pickleball tournament to raise funds for the festival’s charitable beneficiary, Feeding San Diego, and Dos Hombres Mezcal, founded by friends and former co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, will host a pairing dinner experience.
The week’s festivities will continue as Michelin-starred standouts, James Beard honorees, renowned TV hosts, and top culinary talent from across the California-Baja regions come together for a variety of one-night-only collaborations.
Exclusive wine dinners, walk-around tastings, and after-hours celebrations from Del Mar to Oceanside will see the involvement of critically acclaimed chefs including Aaron May, Aarti Sequeira, Antonia Lofaso, Aron Schwartz, Beau MacMillan, Brad Wise, Brandon Jennings, Brian Malarkey, Carlos Anthony, Catherine McCord, Claudette Zepeda, Claudia Sandoval, Drew Deckman, Eric Greenspan, Jackson Kalb, Jeffrey Strauss, Josh Holt, Kelli Crosson, Roberto Alcocer, Tara Monsod, Tim Kolanko, and many more.
The week will culminate with the two-day, all-inclusive Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 at one of San Diego’s largest outdoor venues, Surf Sports Park (formerly San Diego Polo Fields).
Nearly 80 acres of pristine grounds will be transformed into an unforgettable wine and food celebration complete with live music and entertainment, immersive lifestyle experiences, dynamic pop-ups, brand activations, and much more.
The Grand Tasting offers one or two-day passes with options for VIP, early entry, or general admission. Elements include:
- Tastings from chefs and restaurants, domestic and international wine, beer and spirit purveyors, and gourmet food brands
- Luxury VIP tent offering an exclusive food-and-wine experience with celebrity chef encounters, tastings, premier wine selections, lounge seating, and more
- A “Baja Vida” exploration of flavors inspired by the vibrant history of one of Mexico’s most unique regions, with hand-crafted spirits that take you on a bold flavor adventure South of the Border
- “Plant-Curious” gathering with celebrity TV host and author Catherine McCord featuring tasty bites and a creative showcase of plant-based brands
- “Brandt Beef Experience Tour” featuring responsibly raised, 100% source verified Brawley, California, family-raised Brandt Beef presented by prominent chefs from the West Coast alongside unique experiences including Michelin-inspired pairings, live demonstrations, and a pop-up butchery hosted by Ranch 45
- Restaurants competing in Saturday’s “Locals’ Favorite” and Sunday’s “Avocado Cup” culinary showdown, where you’ll be the judge to award two winning chefs $15,000 in cash and prizes as well as a custom surfboard “trophy” from Rob Machado
- Wonderbus double-decker concerts on wheels stationed throughout the festival with a full lineup of live musical entertainment
- Free after-hours concert on Saturday with a surprise performance from one of country music’s most exciting new artists
The preliminary line-up of events is now available online at DelMar.Wine.
Additional events and details will be released in the weeks to come. Stay up to date by following #DelMarFest on Instagram and Facebook.