The 2011 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival

Hey Slurps-Up San Diego, it's nearly time to get your wine on during the one and only San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival.The kind of event that brings together some the best and brightest winemakers and Chefs, presenting many tasty-offerings for  the wandering-wino or even the adventurous foodie to experience all the delights your palate could ever hope to encounter in one place. 

The Gist: Sip and slurp your way through a four day celebration of wine, spirits, craft-beers and chef inspired food tastings. It has become San Diego's quintessential gourmand experience for foodies and Oenophiles [wanna-be winos] alike. 

If you think of yourself as a wine and food junkie who's looking for their next "fix" like I am, then folks this event is the perfect opportunity. I mean c'mon where else can you sample, slurp, sip and spit your way through a smorgasbord of culinary delights and vineyards selections you may never otherwise have a better opportunity uncover. Basically if you love to experience great food and great wine you will definitely want to give this event an swirl. So do yourself a favor and grab yourself some tickets now, before the tasty-train leaves the station especially if you plan to take part in any of the upcoming festivities. Because it will be here before you know it and you don't want to get left behind, .

The Pièce de résistance of the entire weekend [not to be missed] is the Grand Tasting on Saturday, November 19th, by the way ticket prices for this event did sell out last year. Here's what you can expect,  there will be just over 700 different wines to tempt your taste buds. For those of wondering about the food; well there's going to be just over 70 of San Diego's Top Chefs [local] who will be competing for 50K in top prize money, meaning they will be pulling out all the stops in preparing some tastiest dishes for you to discover. 

C'mon folks honestly after watching the Dow tank again and again, all the political wranglings about budget ceilings and the mudslinging about the upcoming race for the white-house you're going to need a drink by the time November rolls around just in front of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

The ticket prices start at around $45 for events like the "Wine-Rave" experience and the [not to be missed] Grand Tasting costs $125 for the "basic" ticket [$65 for a designated driver].There are also some great package deals being offered and as they size does matter. Listed below are a few of the event highlights, for more specific information please click here for the details.

Taste-Maker Dinner Series - Wine Rave - Cooking Classes - Wine Tasting Classes -  Winemaker Dinners -Series - Industry Insider's Party - Reserve Tasting & Silent Auction-  Grand Tasting Event -Chef of the Fest Competition - Celebrity Chef Luncheon and Live Auction; presented by Wine Spectator

The ticket prices are very reasonable [quite the bang for your buck] for the amount of wine and great food you will be able partake of, so get your tickets now before it's sold out! Many of the events also have a charitable component, so keep that in mind when considering the price of admission.  I've included a video highlight reel from previous events that should wet your appetites for your own gourmand experience. Hopefully I will see ya there and until next time sip long and prosper, cheers!