Sips and Bites at the California Wine Festival Sommsation VIP Pavilion

Do you love wine tasting and tasting the best bites of the best local restaurants, but don’t want to drive? Then mark your calendar for this event series: The California Wine Festival

Last weekend, I got to attend the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad at the Hyatt Aviara Resort and while this event is over, they have two more events this year in Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach. Perfect for a little winey weekend getaway, don’t you think?

What to Expect at the California Wine Festivals

California Wine Festival Locations in 2025

Dana Point April 25 & 26, 2025
Carlsbad June 20 & 21, 2025
Santa Barbara July 18 & 19, 2025
Huntington Beach October 17 & 18, 2025

So, what exactly can you expect from attending the California Wine Festivals? Imagine a beautiful, serene lawn at a stunning coastal luxury hotel, dotted with booths sharing the best sips and bites California has to offer.

Each festival lasts 2 days. On Friday night, you can indulge in the exquisite Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, which includes samples of the most formidable wines and bites, while Saturday’s Beachside Wine Festival is a bit more leisurely.

In Carlsbad, there were probably 50+ booths. The vast majority were wineries, about 10 food booths were giving out small bites, and then some vendors were selling adorable jewelry, home decor, and other things.

It felt like a vino-version of a farmers market, and it was so fun walking from booth to booth, learning about the wineries and trying their wines. There were plenty of booths, but not too many people, so you didn’t have to wait more than a few minutes at each booth to try the wine.

Sommsation VIP Pavilion

The Sommsation VIP Pavilion was where I spent most of my time. You can only get into the area with the VIP Pass, and it is oh so worth it. First of all, you get in 1 hour earlier, and that means you have the chance to sample more wine. Then, there are plenty of tables and chairs to chill and relax. Also important after drinking all that wine: they had really nice and clean bathrooms!

The food vendors were out of this world. While all of them were fantastic, it was a special treat to meet Roberto Alcocer, the chef of the 1-Michelin-Star restaurant Valle in Oceanside. He shared some oxtail tacos with mole and a blue corn tostada with huitlacoche, also known as corn truffle. It was fabulous!

But the other food booths were also amazing. I really loved the refreshing poke from Bluewater Grill, the braised short rib over polenta from Flavor Chef Catering, and the decadent dessert from Jars. Oh, and I almost forgot about the Pizza from Prager Brothers. Pizza and wine, what more can you ask for?

My favorite part was trying the wines, which were curated by Sommsation Sommeliers. Each sip was a delight, but I was especially impressed with their knowledge about the wines and the wineries. The wines served ranged from well-known wineries like Caymus to smaller, yet equally delicious wineries like Trujillo Wines.

Yes, the VIP experience was a bit more than the regular ticket, but oh so worth it.

So what is Sommsation, you might ask? They are an online wine distributor, but oh, so much more. Their wines are curated by a team of top-notch Sommeliers. After tasting my way through their selection at the California Wine Festival, I can vouch for them!

What I like about their concept is that you can either simply go to their website and select the wines you like or sign up for a wine club subscription. I also love that they offer regular virtual tastings and classes, so you can learn more about wine varietals, regions, and most importantly, try the wines. I got to ask Sommsation a few more questions, so if you want to learn more about them, check out the interview below!

Sommsation Interview

1. Can you tell me a bit about Sommsation’s mission and how it connects wine lovers with sommeliers and boutique wineries?

Sommsation’s mission is to reimagine how people discover, enjoy and share exceptional wines by connecting them directly with the sommeliers and independent wineries behind each bottle. We believe wine is about more than what’s in the glass, it’s about the people, stories and experiences that bring it to life. Through curated collections, private and virtual tastings and immersive events, we empower wine lovers to explore limited-production wines with expert guidance, building lasting connections along the way.

2. How do you select the wineries and sommeliers featured on your platform?

We’re highly selective in which wineries are a part of our portfolio, prioritizing independent wineries that are rooted in traditional craftsmanship and authenticity. Our wineries offer limited-production wines with a distinct sense of place and story. Likewise, our sommeliers are not only credentialed experts, they’re passionate educators and hosts who bring warmth, personality and deep knowledge to each experience. Curation is central to everything we do.

3. What makes the Sommsation experience different from a typical wine subscription or tasting club?

Our Rebel Wine Club is unique in that it is meant to really bring wine country straight to our members’ homes. Most wine clubs don’t grant you access to sommeliers and wine experts, but ours does, as we know there is a science, and an art, to tasting and we want to elevate each moment. We also are unique because we’re not white-labeling wines or providing the same wines each month; these are wines shipped straight from the world’s best independent wineries, with tasting rooms and estates that we invite you to experience.

4. Do you focus primarily on U.S. wineries, or do you also feature international producers?

Many of our wineries are U.S. based, but our portfolio continues to expand and we have producers from around the world available on our wine shop. No matter the location, every winery we work with is chosen for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

 5. Are the virtual wine tastings hosted live, and how interactive are they for guests?

Yes, our virtual tastings are live and fully interactive. Guests can ask questions, share feedback and engage directly with the sommelier and one another. It’s not a pre-recorded webinar – it’s a lively, shared experience that brings people together around great wine, no matter where they are or what level of connoisseur they are.

6. What are 3 current trends in wines and winemaking that winelovers should keep an eye out this year?

– The wine lovers’ journey is only becoming more tech-driven and bespoke. Wine drinkers want to feel a connection to their wine, even thousands of miles from where the grapes are grown. Lucky for them, Sommsation offers virtual tastings, private sommelier consults, and a full concierge service to ensure wine is more than a product, it’s an experience.

– We’re seeing a lot of winemakers adapting to both changing climates and changing palettes more than ever before. While Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon continue to reign supreme, we’re seeing new, interesting, or even almost extinct indigenous varietals establish themselves. 

– Sustainable winemaking practices are continuing to grow, with more consumers seeking transparency and eco-conscious production.

7. What inspired Sommsation to participate in the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad this year?

The California Wine Festival is a great opportunity to bring our mission to life in a setting where people are already gathered to explore and enjoy great wine. Hosting the VIP Pavilion allows us to showcase the Sommsation experience by introducing guests to exclusive wines, expert sommeliers, thoughtful food pairings and the independent producers we proudly represent – all in an immersive environment. 

8. Are you showcasing any new or exclusive wines during the festival?

Yes! Guests of the Sommsation VIP Pavilion will have the opportunity to taste wines hand-selected by our sommeliers – most of which are unavailable or hard-to-find on store shelves or restaurant menus. We’re all about granting access to the incredible world of thoughtfully crafted independent wines, and the wines we poured during the festival reflect that. 

So if you are a wine lover like me, definitely add the California Wine Festival to your list of events to attend next year and in the meantime, take a look at the Sommsation website and see what they are all about!

Last Updated on May 20, 2026 by Maria Haase