Pacific Wine & Food Classic returns to Newport Dunes

Hundreds of people hit the beach at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort this weekend to try wine and food offerings from dozens of vendors.

Organizers estimate roughly 800 people turned out Saturday afternoon for the Pacific Wine & Food Classic. The event was a welcome return for organizers, who canceled the food festival the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event Saturday was the fourth such celebration of food and wine in Newport Beach since it began in 2017.

A 42-foot-long cheese board with every cheese imaginable, the longest in California, during the Pacific Wine & Food Classic at the Newport Dunes.

(James Carbone)

New to the festival this year was a “taco garden” that contained a variety of tacos, presented by TacoTuesday.com, and a 42-foot-long charcuterie and crudité table. At least 100 wines were made available for sampling at the event, which carried a $189 ticket for VIP entrance.

Present were restaurants local to Newport Beach and wider Orange County, including businesses and chefs from Sushi Roku, Taco Maria and Descanso. All net proceeds from the event are earmarked for Golden Rule Charity, which aims to help financially support workers in the hospitality industry in need of assistance.

Guests tasting Lanson Champagne during the Pacific Wine & Food Classic.

(James Carbone)

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