San Diego CA— One would expect to see lots of wine, cheese and chocolate at a Festival with a name like “Wine, Cheese and Chocolate” but this year the organizers of this 8th annual event have added some interesting twists for the tasting enjoyment of its 1000 guests.
Yes, there will be cheese and yes there will be chocolate and wine but in addition you will find a sampling of San Diego’s craft beers, such as Ballast Point, on hand to sample. After all, San Diego is craft beer central.
A new winery area has opened up in San Diego County. Known as the “94 Corridor Wineries” or “The Wineries on Highway 94”, this small group of wineries will be well represented at the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival.
And in the chocolate sector, you will find chocolate martinis served up thanks to St. Petersberg Vodka. And chocolate tea from Pt. Loma Teas will delight and surprise you. Who said chocolate had to be solid?
In the food group, you will want to try Truffle Gateau, the ultimate cheese pairing chocolate… paired with everything from whiskey to blue cheese. This new product comes packaged in sizes perfect for gift giving or ready to pair and eat.
Local chocolatier, John Clemmons of Coco Savy who is known for edible flowers on his hand-made chocolates, will be introducing a new way to create just the perfect pairings with wine. Their hosted “chocolate tables” for social and corporate events, are themed tables to match event colors, etc. Owner, John Clemmons, acts as the “chocolate pairing host”, provides guests with a guided chocolate experience of pairing chocolate with whichever beverage they bring to the table.
In the artisan cheese category, we welcome The Cheese Store based in Little Italy along with northern California based Nicasio Valley Cheese, known for their award winning organic farmstead cheese.
Up to 1000 guests will gather on the lawn area known as the North Promenade directly west of the museum in Barracks 16 and enjoy the “Start to Summer” theme as we celebrate the first Friday of summer 2015.
This popular event is hosted by the Women’s Museum of California as part of their community outreach and fundraising efforts. In addition to 12 food and wine tastings, each guest receives a Gift Package with a retail value of $200 and a commemorative wine glass for each Festival participant to take home. The museum Board insists on this tradition as it “Just isn’t right to taste good wine in a plastic glass.”
Live music for dancing and listening will be provided by Sue Palmer, San Diego’s Queen of Boogie Woogie, performing a combination of swing, jazz, and other “rug cutter” styles of music. The Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival attracts a wide variety of people from our community including many dancers who follow the San Diego music dancing scene. This event was so well received by the public in previous years it sold out two days prior to the event date.
In addition, a number of wine, chocolate and artistic products will be up for sale at the Silent Auction and Opportunity Drawing. So bring your wallets.
The Festival is held to promote and support the educational programs at the Women’s Museum of California in service to the San Diego community. This includes both cultural and educational exhibits, community outreach, lectures, vintage clothing presentations, school tours and on-going high-school and college student intern program.
Tickets are $45 for individuals. Groups of ten or more at $30 each. Reserved VIP seating is $100 (reserved seating). $20 entry only tickets may be available at the door. This event does sell out!
To learn more about the festival, contact the museum’s Executive Director, Ashley Gardner, ashley@womensmuseumca.org or at (619) 233-7963 or visit the website at www.womensmuseumca.org where video of last year’s event can be seen.
8th Annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Festival
June 21, 2015