In lieu of trekking to the rich terroirs of Napa Valley (which can cost a pretty penny) or Valle De Guadalupe (which has been inundated with tourism and the Instagram one-upsmanship that comes with it), stick close to home this harvest season to enjoy an a bevy of wines from California and Mexico at two upcoming wine festivals highlighting the fecund regions.
California Wine Festival
On Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9, head to Huntington Beach to sip some of the best wines from the Golden State’s most esteemed AVAs. The annual California Wine Festival returns to Paséa Hotel and Spa, offering rare and reserve vintages, as well as popular vinos from California vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara and Temecula.
The roster of California producers will include Adobe Road Winery, Bellante Family Winery, Bernardus Winery, Doffo Winery, Dracula’s Daughter Prosecco, Hunt Cellars, Michael Mondavi Family Wines, Navarro Vineyards, Santa Rita Hills Wine Alliance, Silva Road, Williams Selyem Winery and Wine Guy & Wine Gal, to name a few.
Chefs from Huntington Beach and other Southern California eateries will serve bites to pair with sipping, including dishes from Duke’s Huntington Beach, Shorebird, Kai, Cucina Alessa, Bluegold, SiSi Cakes, Miss Mini Donuts, Mendocino Farms and LSXO.
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Guests can also look forward to live entertainment from Chris Copeland, who will perform acoustic renditions of pop classics; surf sounds from Matt Hurray; soulful tunes from “American Idol” finalist Adam Lasher; and Hawaii-native Joni Llamedo performing island-inspired music on her guitar.
The Friday tasting will be a VIP event, happening from 6:30 until 9 p.m., showcasing some of the state’s rarest wines. Guests are encouraged to sport their finest resort-wear threads. The Saturday tasting, going from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. (VIP ticket holders get early access at noon), will be a more festive and casual affair.
This will be a 21-and-over event, so be sure to schedule a babysitter for the wee ones while you get good and toasty.
Tickets run $90 to $235; visit CalifoniaWineFestival.com for more details.
Find it: Paséa Hotel and Spa, 21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach
Chaak Food and Wine Festival
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Chaak Mexican Food and Wine Festival, billed as the first event of its kind in the U.S., pays tribute to the wines and culinary culture of Mexico. An entire block of Old Town Tustin will shut down to traffic and transform into a gastronomic party featuring more than 20 wineries from Baja California, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí.
Co-created by Tom Bracamontes, founder of La Competencia Imports, the largest importer of Mexican wines in the U.S., and Ed and Gabbi Patrick, owners of Chaak and Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, the festival will feature such Baja-based wineries and wine sellers as Tresomm, Tresparauno, Tribos, Vinisterra Vitivinícola, Viñedos Llano Colorado, Hacienda Florida and more.
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“We’re thrilled to bring Mexican wines to the forefront and offer a unique opportunity for people to meet the winemakers and taste these exceptional wines, which showcase the rich diversity of Mexico’s wine regions,” said Bracamontes in a written release. “This is a rare event, not just for wine lovers, but for anyone looking to experience the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through its wine and food.”
Guests will also enjoy fare from Yucatán and Mexico’s northern regions with bites prepared by Orange County standouts Chaak, Gabbi’s, Socalo, Gema and Maizano.
“Our goal is to make this an annual celebration that not only showcases Mexico’s wines but also promotes the next generation of Latino wine professionals,” said Patrick.
Chaak Mexican Food and Wine Festival goes from 2 until 6 p.m. on October 19. Tickets cost $108 to $135; visit lacompetenciaimports.com for more information.
Find it: 215 El Camino Real, Tustin
