North County of San Diego is buzzing with anticipation as they prepare for the first-ever Del Mar Wine & Food Festival from September 6 to September 11. This inaugural celebration of Southern California's food and drink scene is founded in partnership with sports icons Alex Morgan, Drew Brees, and Rob Machado, and features over 20 unique events championing the region's top chefs, according to Fox 5 San Diego.
Scheduled to kick off on September 6 with an opening night party, the festival is set to celebrate San Diego's iconic street food culture with the help of the San Diego Wave FC. Throughout the week, participants can enjoy a myriad of experiences, including a beach clean-up event, surf lessons led by Machado, and a pickleball tournament hosted by Brees. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the nonprofit organization, Feeding San Diego.
Additional highlights of the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival include exclusive wine dinners, walk-around tastings, and after-hours celebrations curated by critically acclaimed chefs representing the region. Some of the culinary talents headlining the festival are Antonia Lofaso, Catherine McCord, Claudette Zepeda, Claudia Sandoval, Aaron May, Beau MacMillan, and Brian Malarkey.
Festivalgoers can also look forward to an "Icons of Baja" pairing dinner hosted by the chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Valle, Eduardo Morali. Over 80 chefs and restaurants will showcase their dishes during the two-day, all-inclusive Grand Tasting – taking place on September 9 and 10 at the Surf Sports Park – in collaboration with more than 200 international wine and spirits producers.
A recent Facebook post revealed that tickets for the Grand Tasting start at $175, giving attendees access to unlimited bites and sips from the best restaurants and esteemed winemakers in the city. Single-day and two-day passes, as well as VIP and early entry options, are available for the hallmark event, and can be purchased on the festival's website.
Speaking on the festival, Drew Brees expressed his excitement for this first-of-its-kind event in a press release, stating, "Enjoying the outdoors is all part of the (San Diego) fun, and it's refreshing to be a part of a wine & food festival that breaks the mold and fully embraces the city's active way of life to offer something that's new and exciting for locals and visitors alike." Going on to mention that the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival will likely become an annual pilgrimage for anyone looking for a unique, culinary-fueled lifestyle event in the years to come, he added, "We're only getting started."
With an impressive lineup of celebrity partners, exclusive culinary experiences, and a commitment to sustainability through beach clean-up activities, the inaugural Del Mar Wine & Food Festival is gearing up to showcase the best of what San Diego County has to offer in terms of food, wine, and culture. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to indulge in some of Southern California's finest culinary delights while supporting local talent and environmental initiatives.
