San Diego Bay Wine & Food Fest Takes Command Nov. 15th to 22nd

Tickets are on sale now for the biggest and best wine and food festival in Southern California, the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, 5 days of fun, sipping, tasting, learning and cheering on your favorite chef at the Saturday Grand Tasting at the Embarcadero, next to Seaport Village .

Co-founder Michelle Metter said that “food, wine and local enthusiasts can expect to see  exciting new additions throughout the week as well as a return of the classics such as the Grand Tasting and signature Taco TKO Fish Taco Competition. Each year we showcase our city’s best talent and allow over 10,000 guests from around the world to indulge in an epicurean experience of a lifetime.”

The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival holds its Grand Tasting Sat. Nov. 21st
at the Embarcadero next to Seaport Village.

Celebrated chefs from everywhere in the country include: Rick Bayless, Gail Gand, Suzette Gresham, and hometown hero from the Marine Room, Bernard Guillas.  Last year’s Chef of the Fest winner, Duvinh Ta from Jake’s is returning for this year’s competition.

A new and exciting educational opportunity for wine industry professionals, sommeliers and enthusiasts has been unveiled for the first time called SommCon, with over 50 educational seminars, certifications, tasting events and more, created by industry experts.  The main conference is being held Thursday, November 19th and Friday November 20th that peaks with a trade tasting featuring over 100 wines, breweries and spirit purveyors.

Sommcon will open the doors to a wealth of knowledge from some of the best known wine personalities in the business. There are many levels of registration for the attendee to choose.  For more information and a list of classes go to SommConUSA.com.

Discounted accommodations at SommCom headquarters at the Manchester Grand Hyatt are available by calling 877-385-9595. For all other information about the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, visit sandiegowineclassic.com. Call: 619-312-1212.

Vittorio’s Presents Starmont Wines
 It was a festive full house recently at Vittoroio’s in Carmel Valley as Starmont Napa Valley wines took the stage to compliment a 4  course dinner, capped by a lovely grilled hanger steak with a Starmont Cabernet, 2011.

 It was ladies night at a recent Vittorio’s wine dinner with Mindy Hewitson of Estates Group and Cindy Bock of Merryvale/Starmont Wines of Napa Valley .

What made it even more attractive was Vittoro’s 1/2 priced bottles of wine. Victor is one of the few restaurateurs that sells wine direct to the consumer. Starmont a certified Napa organically grown wineryand leaders in value wines like:  Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. See more at starmontwinery.com.

Wine Bytes
Firefly Grill & Wine Bar in Encinitas presents a Cakebread Cellars Wine Dinner, Wed, Oct. 21st at 6:30pm.  A 4 course dinner will be highlighted with Smoked Pork Tenderloin with a Cakebread Merlot 2012.  Cost is $125 pp.  Call 760-635-1066.

Harry’s Bar & American Grill in La Jolla , across from UTC, has a Pahlmeyer wine dinner, Wed. Oct. 21st at 6:30pm.  Final entrée will be a Beef Bourguignon paired with a 2013 Pahlmeyer Red Bordeaux Blend.  For cost and an RSVP, call 858-373-1252.

Il Forniao in Del Mar and Coronado are in the middle of their Festa  Regionale with cuisine from Italy’s Lazio district, the location for Rome. This special menu goes to Oct. 25th.

Monte De Oro Winery in Temecula has a Cabernet Sauvignon Blind Tasting of 90  point wines, Fri. Oct. 23rd.  Reception 6:30pm and tasting begins at 7pm.  12 wines from California will be offered blind.  Price is $65. Available on line at montedeoro.com.

The 2nd annual San Diego Beer and Music Festival will be at Liberty Station in Pt. Loma, Sat. Oct. 24th from 7 to 10pm, a benefit for the San Diego Music Foundation. It will showcase over 100 craft beers from more than 50 local breweries.  $35. in advance, $40. at the door.  VIP slightly more.  Visit sandiegobeerfestival.com.

Paso Robles Deeply Rooted in Fine Wines

They came for a re-visit to San Diego, some 35+ wineries from Paso Robles led by veteran cheerleader and Communications Director Chris Taranto, who has guided the message for Paso
wine country for as long as I can remember. Appropriately called the Grand Tasting Tour, it had some wineries that were seasoned and comfortable like Hope Family,

JUSTIN, Niner, Opolo, Tablas Creek and San Antonio . A short look around and some things were new like Alta Colina, Barr, Burbank Ranch, Venteux and the sensation of the show, Pianetta with its reboot of the fabled Jug Wine. But more about that later. If you’re new to the wine tasting regions in California, Paso Robles is located about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along the

Key Paso players Michael Geise of Hope Family Wines, and Chris Taranto
for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.

Central Coast.  It’s the 3rd largest wine region with about 200 wineries on 32,000 vineyard acres. Here, wineries have proven that with the unique climate, topography and soil, over 40 worldwide grape varietals can be grown and bottled.

Some wines to try:  Hope Family Wines Treana Red.  Their Viognier is a personal favorite, and this 2012 Red Blend of Cabernet and Syrah doesn’t disappoint either. ($45.).  Taste plum, cherry and spice.  Visit hopefamily wines.com. Now on to Pianetta Winery and their re-boot of the wine in a jug.  It’s Jug Wine 2013, with mostly Zinfandel, and some Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Petite Sirah. ($24.)

The Jug wine format returns, as displayed by Caitlin Pianetta of Pianetta Winery in Paso Robles.

“We wanted to create a fun, traditional style of wine and decided the best way would be in a JUG,” explained Caitlin Pianetta, President and owner. 2013 is the 7th vintage, and it sells in the tasting room and select stores.  See more at pianettawinery.com.

New Dates for San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
The largest wine and food festival in Southern California  returns for the 12th time.  The new dates are:  November 15th thru the 22nd. For those few who have not seen this extravaganza, it’s a star-studded classic that takes place at various locations in San Diego. The festival’s Grand Tasting at the Embarcadero Sat. the 21st will feature over 200 wineries, breweries and spirits from around the world, 70 local restaurants and the “Chef of the Fest Competition.” Ticket information is now available by visiting sandiegowineclassic.com, or by calling 619-312-1212.

Wine Bytes
North County Wine Company in San Marcos presents a flight of new release California wines Fri. and Sat. Aug. 28 and 29. Half glass pours on three prime brands for only $15. Call 760-653-9032 for times.

Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo has its 5th annual Tastings Festival and Classic Car Show, Sat.
Aug. 29th from 1pm to 4pm.  You get lovely wines, cool beer, delicious food and live music for a $30. advance admission.  Phone 858-775-5788 for details.

Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula wants you to join them for a Primitivo Vertical Wine Tasting Dinner Sat. Aug. 29th starting at 6pm.  4 vintages poured with a 4 course dinner. $85. pp, $65. for club members.  Get the full story at 951-694-9892.

Capri Blu in Rancho Bernardo has a Taste of Veneto Italian Wine dinner, Wed. Sept. 2 starting at 6pm. From Pinot Noir to Amarone, these wines will pair perfectly with  a 4 course dinner led by Ossobuco Pork Shank.  Cost is $55. ea. RSVP at 858-673-5100.

The Palomar College Foundation and President’s Associates invite you to the 24th Annual Gala fundraiser benefitting Palomar College students and programs, Sat. Sept. 12th.  The event is at the
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad starting with a  5:30pm hosted reception and silent auction.  Highlights include: a 7pm dinner presented by Executive Chef de Cuisine Marc Therrien, to include the Comet Award and Inspiration for the Future; 8:30pm live auction and opportunity drawing; 9pm music and dancing.  Black tie and complimentary valet.  Pricing, reservations and more information about the event including sponsorship opportunities are available at Palomar.edu/foundation, or by calling 760-744-1150 ext 2735.