The Pacific Wine & Food Classic is back at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort on Saturday, Sept. 12, with new ownership, two new tasting experiences and a lineup of more than 35 restaurants and 100 wines along the Back Bay shoreline.
Tricia Cook, who has worked on the festival since its inception, has taken over as owner and producer. The transition marks a new chapter for the event, now in its ninth edition.
"We're honoring everything guests have come to love about this experience while introducing exciting new elements that celebrate the innovation, creativity and community that define Southern California's food and beverage culture," Cook told the Daily Pilot.
Cook succeeds founder Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association Inc.
Two additions headline the 2026 edition, according to an OC Register roundup. The Bubble Garden is a waterfront section devoted to sparkling wines and bubbly beverages. The Paso Robles Grand Wine Experience will spotlight Central Coast wineries including Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery, Eberle Winery, Justin Vineyards & Winery and Bianchi Winery.
The chef roster carries strong local ties. Rich Mead of Farmhouse at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, celebrating his restaurant's 10th anniversary this year, will be joined by Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish Tacos, whose family has roots on Balboa Island dating to his father's Shanghai Pine Garden restaurant. Top Chef alumnus Jackson Kalb of Ospi in Costa Mesa, Peter Petro of Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Toshikazu Sasue of Sushi Roku and Leslie Nguyen of Miss Mini Donuts round out the headliners.
Gelson's will offer cheese and charcuterie paired with a wine tasting, and Hi-Time Wine Cellars will run a Bubbles & Beer Bar. Entertainment includes a live DJ and a silent disco.
Tickets start at $179 plus fees for early-bird entry at 2 p.m. Early-entry tickets are $259 and allow guests inside at 1 p.m. for access to select wines and specialty tastings before other ticket holders arrive. A limited number of Diamond VIP tickets run $500 and include a private lounge, exclusive tastings and reserved waterfront seating. The event ends at 5 p.m. and is limited to guests 21 and older. Tickets are available at pacificwineandfood.com.
A portion of proceeds benefits California Love Drop, the festival's nonprofit partner.
