The summer festival season is off to a great start with two big ones in OC and LA this weekend. Here’s more information on two festivals that line up nicely for a wine-lover’s double feature.
2014 Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival, Saturday May 31
Celebrity Cruises is sailing into OC’s Great Park with more than 30 wineries, fine cuisine, and musical entertainment for an afternoon of enjoyment. Along with unlimited tastings of wine, beer and spirits, James Beard award winning chefs ( including Chef John Suley) will be serving their signature cuisines.
Plenty of restaurants are also on deck to treat guests with flavors from India, succulent sushi, fresh seafood and so much more. Follow this link for a complete list of wineries and restaurants participating in the event.
Aside from the food and drinks, the great thing about this event is the cause it supports. All proceeds benefit the Legal Aid Society of Orange County and Community Legal Services in Southeast Los Angeles County,supporting their work to provide free and low cost civil legal services to low-income individuals and families in Orange and southeast LA Counties. What better reason to party for a cause! Tickets are $100/person (a portion of which is tax deductible!) with discounts for designated drivers.
- Fourth Annual Celebrity Cruises Great Wine Festival
- Saturday, May 31, 2-5 PM
- Orange County Great Park, Hangar 244, 6950 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618
- http://www.greatwinefestival.com
LAWineFest, Saturday May 31; Sunday, June 1
Based on enjoying wine with exploration and education, the LAWineFest is now in its 9th year. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the event brings more than 500 different wines, beers, and spirits into one place for guests to sample. Also scheduled are celebrity chef demos and seminars to educate wine drinkers and home cooks. Live entertainment will be on hand to provide the soundtrack. Food isn’t included, but food trucks will be serving a variety of street foods and custom cooking.
LAWineFest supports a charity every year; the beneficiary for 2014 is still under consideration and should be announced soon.
Tickets are $85/person per day with discounts for couples and designated drivers. There’s an additional charge for adding VIP status to each ticket which includes early entry (by two hours!), exclusive tastings, hor d’oeuvres, and private seating. VIP is $40 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday.
- Ninth Annual LAWineFest
- Saturday May 31, 2-6 PM; Sunday, June 1, Noon-5 PM
- Raleigh Studios: 5300 Melrose Ave. Hollywood, CA 90038
- http://www.lawinefest.com