We are so thrilled the California Wine Festival will return to Orange County after a smashing first year sell-out, the California Wine Festival will return to Dana Point April 29-30. “We’re expecting another great Festival in Orange County this year,” Executive Director Don Fritzen said. “Orange County is ‘Wine Lover Country’ and we’re bringing back even more wineries and great food purveyors to meet the great demand here in Orange County. We’re really excited about our second year Festival and the great momentum building in Orange County!”

Friday April 29,4:30-6 pm – Riedel Wine Glass Seminar & Tasting,

Terrace Salon, Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The California Wine Festival will host a Riedel "Glassware Journey" tasting/seminar

where attendees will explore how the shape and size of the glass effects the perception

of the wine on the palate. This educational and fun seminar and wine tasting will be

conducted by an expert from the world famous Riedel Glassware Company, preeminent

wine glassware manufacturer. Each attendee will receive their own set (to take home) of

four varietal specific wine glasses (valued at $123) for the seminar/tasting. Guests

attending this fascinating class will also get "front of the line" privileges if attending the

CWF Sunset Rare & Reserve Wine Tasting immediately following the seminar. Both

tastings are at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Reserve level wines for the tasting

seminar are being provided by J. Lohr Vineyard & Winery, Coquelicot Winery, Adelaida

Cellars and Thumbprint Cellars.

Friday April 29,6:30-9 pm – “Sunset Rare & Reserve” Wine Tasting,

Grand Ballroom, Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel This is the toughest ticket in town.

California’s best winemakers dust off their rare and reserve level bottles in a wine lovers

fantasy night of sipping the "GOOD STUFF” in one of Orange County’s most elegant

luxury resorts! Some wines being poured are impossible to find anywhere - no longer in

distribution; proprietor’s reserves and end-of-vintage wines. A sparkling champagne

reception greets guests who will then be treated to Napa trophy cabs, rare bottles of

Sonoma reds, Santa Cruz and Sierra Mtn. areas finest Pinots and Syrahs, the red-hot

wines from California’s Central Coast, as well as Santa Barbara County, Temecula

Valley and more. Top regional chefs will serve hot and cold gourmet appetizers while

live jazz keeps things super cool. The understated elegance of these rare wines will be

mirrored in the rich and luxurious surroundings of the stately Ritz-Carlton resort, a new

and larger venue for this year’s event.

Saturday, April 30, 11:30 am-4 pm. “Beachside Food & Wine Fest”

Doheny State Beach, Orange County. This wildly popular wine event is a Spring time

high point in Orange County wine circles and the Dana Point-Doheny State Beach

location will attract thousands beginning at 11:30 am for VIP Pass holders – and 1 pm

for regular ticket holders. Excited wine lovers will stroll the sun-splashed beachside

location for a day of sun, sea, wine, food and music where literally hundreds of premium

California wines are served up along with the best of the regional microbreweries,

gourmet foods and vendors of all things related to wine. “Upstream”, a busy Southern

California Caribbean band, is back to keep the tempo high at this all-day event. Tickets

are available on the Festival website (www.californiawinefestival.com), at local wine

shops and gourmet food stores. For more information, contact Emily Kaufmann,

Emily@californiawinefestival.com; 805-886-5103.