Greer's OC

Celebrate wine, food, music, and breathtaking ocean views at the California Wine Festival Friday and Saturday in Dana Point. Attendees can enjoy California wine tasting from fine vintages, as well as wineries from Oregon and regional microbreweries, sample delicious gourmet foods such as artisan breads, cheeses, olive oils, and listen to live music.

The event kicks off Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with “Sunset Rare & Reserve” wine tasting at the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa in Dana Point. California’s best winemakers will open rare and reserve bottles in a wine lover’s fantasy night of sipping at the Marriott’s new Vue Lawn. Popular chefs will serve gourmet appetizers while live entertains all.

On Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. the popular “Beachside Food & Wine Fest” at Doheny State Beach will entice wine lovers enjoying food and music where hundreds of premium California wines are served, as well as regional microbreweries, gourmet foods and “Upstream”, a SoCal based Caribbean band performing on their steel drums. New this year, is Beachside Winedown from 4 to 5 p.m., a free post-fest event at the Doheny State Beach Picnic area next to the Festival.

Everyone can relax and refresh in the shade for an hour before heading home. Free bottled water gourmet cheese, artisan breads and more will be offered. The event will benefit the DSBIA (Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association) and donations will be accepted.

Tickets for Friday’s “Sunset Rare & Reserve cost  $99 in advance, or $125 at the gate.

Tickets for early entrance at noon for Saturday’s “Beachside Food & Wine Fest”  cost $94 in advance (gate price $105), or regular admission tickets from 1 to 4 p.m. cost $69 (gate price $80). Tickets and more information are available at www.californiawinefestival.com.