I looked at him quizzically, not really accepting if this concept of “just wine” would go over for an event of the size he was hoping for. That was two years ago, and I had just met David Frachetti for the first time when he laid out his concept of only wine for his first annual Vin Diego.
“No, we are not letting in beer, no spirits, no fizzy pop. ”Ok, I said to myself, this guy I can get close to. He’s all wine! That’s how David Frachetti burst on the wine scene in San Diego 2 years ago. Another strategic smart move was last year’s venue change to Liberty Station in the Pt. Loma district of San Diego. This mixed use center, is the heart of “America’s Finest City” with large stretches of greenbelt.
On Fri. April 10 and Saturday April 11, it becomes Vin Diego showcasing California and Oregon’s wines. Add San Diego’s finest restaurants such as: Marina Kitchen, Solare, Kitchen 1540, Jake’s, Solterra and many more, and you have a two day wine and food extravaganza.
I asked Fraschetti how the winery commitments were doing with the event just a month and a half away. “I am delighted to tell you that this year is poised to be the best ever. We sold out our winery table spots in January. Our wine line up is again heavy with top tier producers from California and Oregon.”
The sunset Rare and Reserve Tasting and Silent Auction takesplace on Friday April 10th from 6 to 8:30pm. Guests will enjoy delicious appetizers and live jazz music. Taste from Napa Cabs and rare bottles from Sonoma and Santa Cruz, as well as Pinots from Oregon and Santa Barbara.
The event will benefit the Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank. The Grand Tasting held Sat. April 11 mostly outdoors from 4 to 7pm in the Promenade at Liberty Station has tasting access to over 75 wineries with over 300 tastes, and San Diego’s top restaurants. A VIP priced admission is available for a 3pm entry. Live Jazz music keeps the beat going. An added bonus is the news that the hot Paso Robles wine country is planning to send 18 “Cab Collection” members and their wines. Cabernets and Bordeaux blends will dominate this group’s offerings.
An estimated 3,000 attendees, mostly in their 30’s and 40’s and mostly women will be
ready for another great wine time.
Some ticket categories have an attendance limit so be sure to check in to vindiego.com
for your choice.
The producer has been kind enough to allow TASTE OF WINE readers to receive $10. off on a General Admission entry to Vin Diego and the Grand Tasting Sat.
Apr. 11 from 4 to 7pm. Just type in the Promo Code word MANGIO for the discount. Again, the web site is vindiego.com.
Wine Bytes
- Encinitas Wine Merchants in Encinitas has planned wine tastingevents with
- Grgich Hills from Napa Valley on Thurs. March 19th. Happy hour is daily
- from 4 to 6pm with 5 and 6 dollars on selected wines. It’s 4 to 9pm on
- Mondays.
- Call for details at 760-407-4265.
- Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido has lots of action this month, including a
- Cote du Rhone & Loire Tasting March 12 from 5:30 to 7:30pm for $5. and
- a Darioush Napa Valley wine date on Fri. March 13 from 5:30 to 7:30pm for $25.
- Call 760-745-1200 for an RSVP.
- PAON in Carlsbad has a Vignalta tasting event Thurs. March 12 at 5:30pm
- in the wine bar, and a Bordeaux wine dinner, Right Bank vs. Left Bank
- Thurs. March 19th starting at 6:15pm. Cost is $135. ea. RSVP for both at
- 760-729-7377.
- Business Opportunities in the Wine Industry is the subject of the next course
- at San Diego State University starting Wed. March 18th from 6 to 9pm.
- It goes to April 15 each Wed. evening. Contact the college at 619-265-7378.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator.
He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View and link up with his columns at tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com and follow him on Facebook.
Donate