September 2023

DMWFF HIGHLIGHTS (For full schedule, visit delmar.wine)

T

hings evolve. Fast .

What started with five of us sitting around a table in a trailer in the dirt is now The Del

SEPT. 6: Opening Night Celebration @ Monarch Ocean Pub San Diego’s pro soccer heroes, the Wave FC, host the party at the epicenter of social life in Del Mar. SEPT. 7: Chateau Montelena

SEPT. 8: A Century of Grgich @ Ranch45

Mar Wine + Food Festival, a week-long celebration with 20-plus food and drink events around the city, all leading up to the big show: the Grand Tasting on Sept. 9 and 10. Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame are doing a mezcal dinner at The Lodge at Torrey Pines with executive chef Kelli Crosson, two of Baja’s most iconic chefs (Benito Molina and Drew Deckman), and a pal from Food Network (Beau MacMillan). Almost 100 of the city’s top restaurants are signed up to cook for the Grand Tasting. Alex Morgan came on as a partner before she left for the World Cup. Wave FC agreed to host the opening night party at Monarch Ocean Pub. Drew Brees, who can throw a football pretty well and can also apparently swing a tiny racket, is hosting a celebrity pickleball tournament at Bobby Riggs Racket & Paddle. Rob Machado decided to host a day at the beach, after which we’ll all walk to brunch at Herb & Sea. Like I said, things evolve fast. At least 10 of my friends from Food Network or food TV say they’re showing up: Antonia Lofaso, Aaron May, Catherine McCord, Beau Mac Millan, Eric Greenspan, Brian Malarkey, Carlos Anthony, Claudette Zepeda, Claudia Sandoval, and Tommy Gomes. Two Michelin-starred restaurants stepped up to cook in the VIP tent. One of the country’s top wine minds, Ted Glennon, who started in San Diego before working with a three-Michelin- star restaurant and launching his own vineyard, is joining. And we partnered with Feeding San Diego and designed a large portion of the events to raise money for their hunger-relief efforts. In short, people have rallied. For Claire and me, it’s a dream event. After all, part of our purpose for doing this whole owning-a-media-company thing was about building experiences for the city. And we’re incredibly grateful. At the very least, we’re bringing a massive portion of the city’s food and drink culture to an epic lawn by the sea for a serious celebration of our culture. Hope you can join us.

The iconic winery brings the newly released Paris Tasting Chardonnay and Yountville Old Vines Cabernet, plus others, for a five-course pairing dinner from chef Aron Schwartz and Brandt Beef. SEPT. 9: Catherine McCord Yoga Brunch @ Del Mar Plaza Yoga on the deck, then brunch by the Food Network personality, cookbook author, mom, and CEO of Weelicious. SEPT. 9-10: Grand Tasting @ Del Mar Polo Fields (Surf Sports Park) The big event: Around 80 of the best restaurants and drink- makers from SoCal and Baja. More than 200 wines. Live music on double-decker buses. A massive putting green. Art. Games. Maybe a unicorn or two. SEPT. 9: After-Party @ The Pendry Chef, great-hair guy, Top Chef All-Stars winner, and co-star of Next Level Chef Richard Blais hosts the after-party with some chef friends. SEPT. 10: Rob Machado Beach

+ Rare Society Dinner @ Rare Society

Chef Brad Wise cooks a four-course dinner

paired with wines from the Napa Valley legend. SEPT. 7:

Claudette Zepeda & Antonia Lofaso Dinner @ Vaga

Two SoCal chefs you know from Top Chef and Food Network cook at Zepeda’s signature restaurant at Alila Marea Resort. SEPT. 7: Tequila Reserva de la Familia & Winery Adobe de Guadalope Dinner @ Valle San Diego’s newest Michelin-star chef, Roberto Alcocer, teams up with Eduardo Morali (Pangea; Top 50 Best Latin American Restaurants) for a six-course pairing dinner. SEPT. 8: Racket & Paddle Future NFL hall of famer Drew Brees, celebrity chefs, pro athletes, and other famous friends compete for bragging rights. Plus, it’s a big fundraiser for Feeding San Diego. SEPT. 8: Dos Hombres Mezcal Dinner with Aaron Paul & Bryan Cranston @ The Lodge at Torrey Pines The Breaking Bad stars stop by for a five-course dinner made by celebrated chefs using their Dos Hombres mezcal as an ingredient. Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament @ Bobby Riggs

Cleanup @ Cardiff Reef Spend the

morning at the beach with San Diego’s surf legend, then join him at Herb & Sea for brunch food from chef Brian Malarkey.

23 SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE

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