The Family Winemakers of California, an association of family-owned wineries in California, recently launched ticket sales for its annual tasting in Southern California. Taking place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds' Exhibit Hall on Saturday, March 9th - Sunday, March 10th, the two-day tasting features 150 of California's small, family-owned wineries showcasing over 750 wines, said Paul Kronenberg, president of the Family Winemakers of California.
"As the region's largest tasting of California wines, this is an important tasting event for Southern California," added Kronenberg. "The Family Winemakers Tasting introduces attendees to California's small, family-owned wineries, the varietals being produced by California wine growers, and the state's many rich and diverse wine regions. With such a vast selection of wines, I am positive that each person who attendees will discover a new favorite."
Family Winemakers of California was established in 1991 in response to a need for public policy involvement for the small wine producers of California. The Association has become a strong force in the wine industry, lobbying for wine producer rights, and has an active membership of over 550 California wineries. Family Winemakers draws its membership from all the wine producing areas of the state, with the largest concentration coming from Napa and Sonoma Counties.
Family Winemakers trade tastings, held in San Francisco since 1991 and in Southern California since 2000, are well known in the industry for the quantity and quality of the participating wineries. The tastings give members of the trade and public the opportunity to get to know wineries from all over the state, especially the small, all in one place at one time.
Wines from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Rita Hills, and many other California wine regions will be represented at this year's tasting. Local wineries in the San Diego/Temecula area will also be present, including Wiens Family Cellars, Baily Vineyard & Winery, Falkner Winery, and Gershon Bachus Vintners, to name a few.
Once only open to members of the trade, the tasting has since opened to members of the general public. The consumer tasting takes place on Saturday, March 9th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. Additionally, a limited number of tickets are available for early admission during the trade segment on Saturday from 1:00 - 6:00 pm or during the trade-only tasting on Sunday from 1:00 - 5:00 pm. This year's tasting also offers a new Reserve Area only open to consumers. For an additional fee, fine wine lovers can purchase the "Reserve Area Access" ticket, where wineries will be pouring wines that retail at $75.00 or more.
Ticket options for the event are as follows:
Saturday, March 9
$45.00 - Early Bird for group of 10 or more (ends February 22)
$50.00 - Early Bird tickets (ends February 22)
$55.00 - General Admission group of 10 or more
$60.00 - General Admission
$70.00 - Same day General Admission tickets at the door
$85.00 - General Admission plus Reserve Area access
$100.00 - Limited offer admission during trade segment plus Reserve Area access
No charge - Designated Driver Pass
Sunday, March 10
$100.00 - Limited offer for admission during trade segment
No charge - Designated Driver Pass
Early Bird ticket prices are available from now through February 22nd and save attendees $10 off the value of a single ticket. To purchase tickets visit fwcconsumertickets.eventbrite.com.
For more details on the Family Winemakers Tasting, including a list of participating wineries and a varietal map, visit www.familywinemakers.org.