Raise your glass: Marking its second decade, the annual Newport Beach Wine Festival pours into the Balboa Bay Resort this Memorial Day Weekend, bringing a taste of terroirs from the California coast to the French countryside.
The event uncorks on Friday, May 23, with a four-course dinner hosted by Jean Charles Boisset — a noted French vintner and owner of the Boisset Collection, his family’s namesake wine group, which operates 28 wineries in California, France and Canada — and Balboa Bay Resort’s executive chef Prabeen Prathapan. Reception starts at 6 p.m. with dinner commencing at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the cocktail-attire event start at $215.
ALSO READ: Joshua Weissman’s favorite chain pizza opens first Orange County location
On Saturday, May 24, the main event, a wine and spirits grand tasting, allows guests to mingle about as they enjoy fare from local eateries such as Cucina Enoteca, Gus’ Fried Chicken, Pique-Nique and Matty’s Patty’s Burger Club, to name a few. Featured wineries and merchants will include Chambers & Chambers, Veuve Clicquot, Justin Vineyards & Winery, New Zealand Wine Navigator, Planet Wine, Wiens Cellars, Woodford Reserve and more. Those seeking libations with a stronger kick can look forward to spirits care of Whistle Pig, Empress 1908 Gin, Half Shell Vodka, Lalo Tequila, Otaca Tequila, Pak Spirits and others. The Saturday event runs from 1 until 5 p.m. Tickets for Saturday’s tasting event cost $145 (presale) or $165 (same-day).
Related Articles
Status Update: $10 million in grants available to OC nonprofits
Cinco de Mayo 2025: Where to find margaritas, food discounts and good times
Joshua Weissman’s favorite chain pizza opens first Orange County location
International students get more than a taste of American food in Claremont
Mother’s Day 2025: What restaurants are offering, from strawberries to steak
Rounding out the festivities will be a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch on Sunday, May 25, featuring a chilled seafood display, a meat carving station, an omelet station, a poke bar, a desert station and peach cobbler bar and more. Each guest will also receive two glasses of Veuve Clicquot champagne. The brunch runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tickets run $125 per person.
Note to parents and budding oenophiles: The entire event is 21-and-over.
Find it: Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, balboabayresort.com/nbwinefestival