Wags ‘N’ Wine
June 25. Get ready for an exciting day filled with delicious food, wine tasting, beer, prizes, live music, live and silent auction and, of course, dogs—lots and lots of dogs. This year the annual Wags ‘N’ Wine event will take place in the spectacular grand ball room at Paséa Hotel & Spa, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a 14,000 square-foot ocean lawn. Sip on wines from Napa and Sonoma Valley, as well as other selective wine growing regions, while you and your pooch peruse several booths showcasing a wide variety of vendors. After introducing your pup to some new friends, indulge on savory and sweet offerings from several local restaurants like Slaters 50/50, Stonefire Grill, Ritter’s Steam Kettle Cooking, Nothing Bundt Cakes and more. Beyond the food and beverage, enjoy live entertainment including a pooch pageant, live music, a magician, auctions, photo booths and incredible raffle prizes. Every dog attending will be treated to a doggie goodie bag. Food, drink and entertainment are inclusive in the admission price. VIP noon. GA 1-5 p.m. $75-$105 adults; $20 children 6-12; Free for children under 5. Paséa Hotel & Spa, 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.328.8661. wagsnwine.com
OC Meets Napa and Mexico
July 29. Celebrate Latino influence in Orange County with a festival of food, wine, live entertainment, activities and more. Latino chefs and Latino vintners and wine makers from Napa and Baja will come together and offer up some of their best bites and sips. Over 60 top Orange County restaurants will participate. VIP reception 6-7 p.m., GA 7-10 p.m. $100-$125. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 323.622.2405. altamed.com
Pacific Wine & Food Classic
Aug. 19-20. This highly anticipated inaugural wine festival is already poised to be spectacular with more than 200 restaurants, chefs, winemakers and artisans, plus a celebrity chef host, live entertainment and a beachfront location. Participating chefs include Adrian Garcia of Red O, Deborah Schneider of SOL Cocina, Joel Gutierrez of SeaLegs, Mark MacDonald of Old Vine Café and many more. Among the wineries are Belleruche Rose, Ferrari Brut, Layer Cake and Bouchaine. With summer in full swing, the Pacific Wine & Food Classic is drawing its inspiration from the beloved season: Participating chefs will create dishes reminiscent of their favorite summer memories, Patron Tequila will offer “Patron Pops” as well as the ultimate Patron experience complete with Summer Margaritas and Bacardi. Effen Vodka and Makers Mark will also serve refreshing cocktails. Food Network’s celebrity chef and judge Simon Majumdar will host the event. Expect cooking demonstrations, live music and a gorgeous backdrop of the Newport Dunes! See website for full weekend schedule. Single day GA $150, single day VIP $200; two-day GA $250, two-day VIP $350. 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, 949.287.3281. pacificwineandfood.com
Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival
Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Savor spectacular wine and food at the 4th annual event—truly the best wine festival in Orange County (and beyond). The event features tastes from 40 top Orange County dining destinations like Nobu, Vaca, Marché Moderne, The Winery, Selanne Steak Tavern and Andrea; sips from 250 world-renowned cult and boutique wines, along with spirits and brews. Also find cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs such as Brooke Williamson and Shirley Chung. In addition to the festival itself, the event features 3 VIP Celebrity Chef Dinners hosted by restaurants in Newport Beach—Nobu, The Winery and Waterline. See website for more details and full weekend schedule of events. Sa-Su 2:30-6 p.m. One day $150, weekend pass $250. Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, 888.511.3378. newportwineandfood.com