Orange County, CA Wine Tastings & Events
 Also consult our listings of Orange County Culinary Events
January 17-February 18
Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach, along with sister restaurant Beachwood BBQ and Brewery in Long Beach, is running a special Pliny Fights Cancer Charity Raffle. For $5 per ticket, participants will be enrolled into a special raffle to be held February 20, where 130 lucky entrants will be able to reserve a pint of the Russian River Brewing Company's ultra-rare Imperial IPA beer Pliny the Younger. All proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation. There is no limit to the amount of tickets that participants can purchase. For more information, please visit http://www.beachwoodbbq.com/. Beachwood BBQ, 131 1/2 Main St., Seal Beach, CA 90740, 562-493-4500.
February 16
Matador Cantina in Fullerton is hosting a special vodka pairing dinner. Executive chef David Dennis will depart from the restaurant's usual Mexican milieu to create a five-course meal coupled with cocktails and drinks built around Absolut Vodka. Dishes will include a crab and sweet corn salad served with roasted beet vinaigrette paired with a tangerine grapefruit press cocktail; pork lentil soup paired with sangria; and smoked salmon blini with black caviar alongside a cocktail featuring hand-muddled grapes, acai berry liqueur, and lemon juice. The cost is $55, plus tax and gratuity. Space limited to 30 guests. Seats are by reservation only, which can be made by calling 714-871-8226. Matador Cantina, 111 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832, 714-871-8226.
February 24
Bring your special someone to Romance Eno-Versity at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, where you and your sweetheart will enjoy an interactive class learning how to create romantic champagne cocktails. The class takes place on February 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and costs $40 per person. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, One Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629, 949-240-2000, 800-241-3333.
February 26
Sol Cocina is hosting a special tequila pairing dinner, highlighting Sol Clase Azul Super Premium Tequila. Executive chef Deborah Schneider will be serving up a specially crafted five-course pairing menu designed to showcase the interplay between the libation and her take on Coastal Mexican cuisine. Select dishes include slow roasted pork accompanied with a habanero, red onion, and sour orange salsa; lobster and shrimp ragout paired with a tarragon creamy butter sauce; and seared beef filet served with a five-chile mole sauce and roasted sweet potato. Cost of the meal is $75 per guest, plus tax and gratuity. Dinner service starts at 6:30 p.m. Reservations required, and can be made by calling 949-675-9800 or by e-mailing Nicole at events@solcocina.com. Sol Cocina, 251 E. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-675-9800.
February 29
The Paso Robles Wine County Alliance brings the winemakers out of the cellar and down to Newport Beach for its 2012 Grand Tasting Tour. Coming to Newport Beach February 27-March 2, the Paso Robles Grand Tasting Tour will make its only Southern California stop with only three total Grand Tasting Tour events scheduled for the year. More than 40 winemakers will converge in Newport Beach to showcase their award-winning wines to Southern California wine enthusiasts with winemaker dinners, trade and retail tastings, and consumer tastings taking place at marquee restaurants and venues throughout Orange County. This mega tasting event features five days of festivities that will give wine lovers the opportunity to taste and explore more than 150 wines from California's fastest growing wine region. The consumer walk-around tasting will take place on Wednesday, February 29, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., aboard the Yacht "MAJESTIC,"
2901 West Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Tickets are $60 per person. For more information, visit www.pasowine.com/events/grand-tasting-tour-newport-beach.php
March 3
The fifth Pacific Coast Wine Festival (supporting Pacific Symphony) takes place Saturday, March 3, at 5 p.m., at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, where guests will be treated to an evening filled with world-class wines, rare auction items and a gourmet feast. More unique than ever—the event includes all new wines chosen by sommelier Jim Houston from Charlie Palmer; a new five-course meal prepared by the Island’s chef David Man; and two rare bottles of Screaming Eagle up for auction. Roaming sommeliers and winemakers assist guests as they explore the different wines from the newer cult boutiques in California to the old-world wines of the Rhone and Burgundy. Live and silent auctions offer some of the world’s most coveted wines, as well as luxury items and exclusive dining and destination experiences. The evening, which includes a musical performance, is not just for wine enthusiasts and collectors, but also for those who wish to support music education. Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-759-0808.
April 20-21
On April 20, feel like a real Californian at the Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting event that will take place at the Dana Point Yacht Club. This special wine tasting is unlike any other because you will taste wines that are no longer in circulation, and from special reserves. The following day is the Beachside Wine Festival, an event where guests will enjoy unlimited tastings of wine and food near the beach! Where else can you drink outside, while enjoying the sun, sea and listen to music? Hot and cold appetizers will be served, as well as fresh fruits, warm breads and cheeses. California Wine Festival-Orange County is hosting both these events. For more details visit www.californiawinefestival.com.
Wednesdays
The Wednesday Wine-down Experience at The Hotel Hanford provides the perfect antidote to the mid-week blahs. For $15 guests and visitors can treat themselves to a tantalizing selection of 5-7 wines at Savoy Restaurant. New global offerings take place every week. Appetizers are also available at Happy Hour pricing. The Hotel Hanford, 3131 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-557-3000, 877-426-3673.
Ongoing
The Costa Mesa Trader Joe's location on 17th Street is the first TJ's store in the nation to offer a free wine tasting bar. Tasting hours are from 1 p.m.-7 p.m. every day. Two wines are featured each week. Trader Joe's, 640 W. 17th St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, 949-642-5134.
Last Mondays
Prego is hosting complimentary wine tastings on the last Monday of each month from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Prego proprietors Ruth and Tony Bedi offer three wine selections for guests to sample for free. Prego also offers a weekday happy hour from 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m. with $4 bar menu dishes, $5 well drinks, $4 beers and $4.50 house wines and specialty martinis. Prego, Irvine Towers, 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612, 949-553-1333.
Mondays
Every Monday evening from 6 p.m.-10 p.m., sip your choice from Palm Terrace's wine list at half the usual price for each bottle while dining on executive chef Bill Bracken's American cuisine. Palm Terrace, The Island Hotel Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, 949-760-4920.
Tuesdays
Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza hosts Tuesday Night Flights, offering a wine flight and specially paired appetizer. Flights are $20, which includes three wines and a small plate. The week's featured wines will be available at a discounted price in the Next Vintage wine shop. Charlie Palmer at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, 714-352-2525.
Tuesdays
Bacchus’ Secret Cellar in Irvine’s Quail Hill Center has Taco Tuesdays from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. For $10 diners can enjoy two tacos and a glass of wine. For more information, visit www.bacchussecretcellar.com. Bacchus' Secret Cellar, 6735 Quail Hill Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92603, 949-502-4600.
Second Wednesdays
The Resort at Pelican Hill hosts a special wine tasting event at their Pelican Grill restaurant every second Wednesday of the month from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Resort guests and locals each have the opportunity to enjoy six separate California wines, along with a special chef's selection of light bites. The cost is $25 per person. Pelican Grill, Pelican Hill Golf Club, 22800 Pelican Hill Rd., Newport Coast, CA 92657, 949-467-6800.
Wednesdays
Calling all wine aficionados! Café Tu Tu Tango has an event just for you. Every Wednesday, every bottle of wine on the award-winning list is half-price. It's a great way to sample wines of the world. If you can grab a table on the patio, consider yourself lucky...and hang onto it all night. Café Tu Tu Tango, The Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd., Orange, CA 92868, 714-769-2222.
Saturdays
Every Saturday, the Orange County Wine Elite hosts a fun and educational blind-tasting of wines from around the world in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach restaurants. Themes vary on a weekly basis, and guests pay only their coverage for the wines at retail cost, plus any individual food expense. Check out their program and register at www.meetup.com/WineElite.
Also consult our listings of Orange County Culinary Events
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RECOMMENDED
WINE SHOPS
For additional information
on wine events, please contact:
Hi-Time
Wine Cellars
250 Ogle St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
800-331-3005 |
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