Del Mar Wine & Food Festival Returns For Second Year With Wide Range Of Events

After a successful first run, Del Mar Wine + Food Festival (DMWFF) is back and ready to announce the lineup for its second year. Taking place from October 2 to 7, 2024, this dynamic festival offers a shift from your average wine and food festival. Sure, you can expect celebrity chefs like Rocco DiSpirito, Tiffani Faison, Aarti Sequeira, Maneet Chauhan, and The Grill Dads, but DMWFF goes one step further by incorporating a range of active lifestyle experiences and quite a few fun field trips that really give it an extra bit of diversity.

This festival was founded by a group of influential locals and professional athletes who all share the same goal: wanting to not only build one of the most unique culinary experiences in festival form, but to create a weeklong platform for cultural diversity rooted in San Diego’s identity and cross-border communities.

“The inaugural Del Mar Wine + Food Festival surpassed expectations. Now in its second year, we see it leading a paradigm shift for modern food/wine fest culture here in the U.S.,” says Chris Finn, CEO and co-founder of the Festival.

He continued to share that the most dramatic growth coming into year two will be how the festival is determined to go all in with its professional athlete partners really creating a balance between active lifestyle and culinary events. “It’s a unique mix. We want to push boundaries and reshape what’s possible in the wine and food fest sector,” says Finn.

Renowned chefs & TV personalities will descend upon San Diego to co-host various events highlighting the region’s farmers, fisheries, and homegrown purveyors. Headliners include chefs Aaron May, Aarti Sequeira, Beau MacMillan, Brian Malarkey, Catherine McCord, Claudette Zepeda, Claudia Sandoval, Eric Greenspan, and Jackson Kalb.

Creators and stars of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day will host an exclusive event with their new Four Walls Whiskey, and Kyle Cooke of Bravo’s “Summer House” fame will pop up at Grand Tasting with his RTD beverage brand Loverboy.

Festival goers will find events like the two-day Grand Tasting taking place on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, where eight acres of grassy field at Surf Sports Park are transformed into a coastal gastronomic wonderland. The all-inclusive ticket grants access to more than 100 chefs and restaurants and 200 wines and drink makers — think many of the region’s top restaurants, plus celebrity chef friends from across the country.

This year, the Grand Tasting will pay special tribute to the city’s female leaders across various industries with an experience curated by San Diego Magazine. A lavish VIP lounge will feature award-winning talent including chefs Tara Monsod of Animae (James Beard Awards ‘Best Chef California’ Finalist), Javier Placencia of Animalón (World’s 50 Best Latin America), Drew Deckman of Deckman’s en el Mogor (World’s 50 Best Latin America), and Benito Molina of Manzanilla (World’s 50 Best Latin America).

When it comes to the sports action, the San Diego Padres, San Diego’s new Major League Soccer franchise San Diego FC, and Happy Fillmore Golf Classic will all be in attendance and hosting events.

Looking for some guidance to create the perfect DMWFF itinerary? Here’s how to have the ultimate weekend.

On Wednesday you’ll want to attend the kickoff of the festival opening night event with San Diego’s New Major League Soccer Team, San Diego FC. This means celebrating with San Diego FC and their newly announced roster of star-studded talent as they host a Tacos, Tortas, and Tequila Opening Night Party while taking in the ocean views at Monarch in Del Mar.

On Thursday it’s all about an Adventure Through Mexico’s Wine Country, Valle De Guadalupe where guests will head south of the border for an exclusive tour into Baja California’s thriving wine region, the Valle de Guadalupe, and enjoy tastings with legendary winemakers and the finest restaurants in partnership with Baja Tourism Board and Provino Baja California Vintners Association.

On Friday join NFL Legend Drew Brees, as he hosts The Whispering Angel Celebrity Pickleball Tournament where guests will be invited to hang on the sidelines at the annual celebrity pickleball tournament. Alongside a fellow founding partner of Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, pro surfer Rob Machado, they’ll duke it out at Bobby Riggs Racquet & Paddle against pro athlete friends while encouraging fans to participate or just watch, eat, and drink to raise money for Feeding San Diego.

On Saturday and Sunday, you’ll want to make your way to the 2-Day Grand Tasting & VIP Experience With Alex Morgan. Nosh your way through an all-inclusive Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park with hundreds of the West Coast’s top chefs & winemakers–from renowned James Beard honorees to the newest Michelin-starred standouts. VIP tickets will get you additional tastings from top chefs including James Beard Award Finalist Tara Monsod, and World’s 50 Best Latin America honorees Javier Placencia, Drew Deckman, and Benito Molina. This event will also feature interactive pop-ups hosted by various professional sports teams, plus live music and entertainment.

Then wrap up the weekend on Sunday by celebrating LGBTQ+ excellence with the Big Queer Food Fest & San Diego Wave FC. Celebrity chef Tiffani Faison and LA’s Big Queer Food Fest are partnering with the women’s professional soccer squad of San Diego Wave FC for a Hometown Heros party on Sunday evening at Nolita Hall, where bites & drinks will be inspired by the players and their respective hometowns.

Finn says this year The Festival is really aiming to showcase more of what the region has to offer. “Although we love those San Diego classics and we'll showcase all of them at the Festival, the region has so much more to offer. We understand the importance of staying authentic and spotlighting what people know and love, but it's also about the lifestyle and ever-evolving culinary scene.,” says Finn. “As proud San Diegans, our team always asks ourselves, what makes us tick and how do we share that with others by bringing it to life within our festival setting?”

Tickets for the Del Mar Wine & Food Festival are now on sale at DelMar.Wine.