Everything You Need to Know About San Diego’s Favorite Wine Fest!
AT A GLANCE: Two events, the Friday evening “Sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting” and the Saturday “Beachside Wine Festival” where you walk from booth to booth for unlimited wine and food samples.
TICKETS: Tickets to the Beachside event start at $85 (early bird prices right now) and the Sunset Tasting starts at $125. Combo tickets are $235. GET TICKETS NOW at the lower price.
LOCATION: Carlsbad’s Park Hyatt Resort (official site)
OFFICIAL LOCAL WALLY OPINION: I love this event. OK, yes, there are larger wine and food festivals in San Diego but this one is just right - Not so small that you feel like you’ve seen it all after a few minutes, but not so large that you find yourself fighting crowds just to get a sample.
The food in the past has been great and the wines top notch. You do know I also write wine guides for Napa and Paso, right?? So I know a bit about wine and the wines here will impress - you’re sure to find a few new favorites.
TOP SECRET: Free parking and the ocean breeze and coastal vibe is well represented. You’ll love this location at the Aviara Parkside Resort.
Festival Details
Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting
Friday, June 20 | 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa – The Gardens
The festival kicks off with the exclusive Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, featuring limited-production and reserve wines from renowned California wine regions including Napa Valley, Sonoma, Paso Robles and beyond. Guests will begin their evening with a champagne reception before sampling rare wines and enjoying gourmet appetizers from celebrated North San Diego County restaurants. The evening also includes a silent auction benefiting a local charitable organization. Live entertainment will set the tone for an elegant evening under the stars.
Beachside Wine Festival
Saturday, June 21 | 1 – 4 p.m. (VIP Entry at 12 p.m.)
Park Hyatt Aviara Resort Golf Club & Spa – Heron Lawn
The festivities continue Saturday with the Beachside Wine Festival, a vibrant afternoon offering tastings from hundreds of premium California wineries and regional craft breweries, paired with delicious bites from local culinary hotspots. Set against panoramic views of lush rolling hills and the Pacific Ocean, the event features live music, creating the ultimate coastal wine tasting experience. VIP guests will enjoy early access at noon, featuring exclusive reserve wines and additional gourmet food options.
Festival Sponsors & Highlights
Sponsors: High Flyer Wines/Priest Ranch, Kaleo Marketing, System Pavers, DreamFinder Travel & Virgin Voyages, Wine Spectator, Renewal by Andersen, Piper Sonoma, Park Hyatt Aviara, Andy Gump, Icelandic Glacial, Melin.
Restaurants & Food Purveyors: aficio22, Aquamar/California Rolls, Butterfly Brittles, Carlsbad Cookie Company, Chipz Happen, Farm Fresh Home Foods, Gino Angelini Authentic Italian Sauces, Goufrais Southern California – Cocoa Confection, Icelandic Glacial, Inferno Woodfired Kitchen, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Kerrygold, p.o.p. candy co., Prager Brothers Artisan Breads, Waterloo Sparkling Water, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamics, Señor Grubby's and Grubby's Poke, Ponto Lago.
Wineries: Ackerman Family Vineyards, Adobe Road Winery, Akash Winery & Vineyards, Archer Roose Wines, Barlow Vineyards, Bouchaine Vineyards, Burtech Family Vineyard, Carol Shelton Wines, Castelli & Pizarro Family Winery, Caymus Vineyards, Cuvaison, Darcie Kent Estate Winery, Double Bond Wine, Goldschmidt Vineyards, Harvey and Harriet, Hawk & Horse Vineyards, High Flyer Wines/Priest Ranch, Kubani Wines, Michael David Winery, Michael Mondavi Family Wines, New Zealand Wine Navigator, Pasmosa, Quench + Temper, Ramona Valley Vineyards Association, The Vinho, Vinera Wine Society, Wilson Creek Winery, Wine Guy & Wine Gal, Ysidro.