October 16 & 18, 2008
With over six hundred wines offered for tasting, wine lovers will find an embarassment of riches awaiting them at the Monterey Wine Festival on October 16th and 18th, 2008. The palate pleasers aren't limited to wines, however; gourmet food will also be offered to tickle the tastebuds.
Monterey County is one of California's largest wine growing and producing regions, with 30 grape varieties planted, 40,000 acres of wine grapes in the ground, and nine American Vinicultural Areas (AVAs). While the centerpiece of the Monterey Wine Festival is still the great wines available locally, the event has expanded to show off wines not just from down the road, but from all corners of the world!
The event kicks off on Thursday, October 16 from 7:30 to 10:30pm with a Grand Tasting at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Guests at this intimate gathering can wander from exhibit to exhibit at the Aquarium, sampling over 300 outstanding wines from Monterey County, greater California, and regions throughout the world. Delicious food from local chefs and international gourmet food producers will be available as well, allowing guests to learn exactly how their new favorite wines pair with the finest foods. Master sommeliers will be present throughout the event, answering questions and providing guidance for interested attendees. Ticket fees include all wine and food, as well as a commemorative tasting glass.
Haven't had enough? Then head on over to the Monterey Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 18 from 4 to 9pm for an even wider array of wines! The Wine Festival will have over 600 wines offered for sampling, some from vineyards just a few miles away and others from wineries halfway around the globe. Gourmet food will also be offered as a delicious counterpoint, with live music performances providing a perfect background for the event. Saturday's guests can learn more about their favorite beverage at wine seminars held by industry leaders. A live wine auction gives attendees the chance to obtain a very special memento from the Monterey Wine Festival, a drinkable reminder of the wonderful experience they had at this event.
Tickets for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Grand Tasting are $99, and includes wine, food and a commemorative tasting glass. Tickets for Saturday's Wine Festival are also $99, and include all food and wine samples. All tickets can be purchased at the official Monterey Wine Festival ticketing site.
Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau P.O. Box 1770, Monterey, CA 93942 1-877-MONTEREY [email protected]
In partnership with Monterey County and the cities of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas,
Sand City, Seaside, Soledad, Pebble Beach, Moss Landing, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, and Salinas Valley.
© Copyright 2008 Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau
