The Best of the Blue

ONLINE TICKET SALES HAVE NOW CLOSED. PLEASE COME TO THE EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Monterey Wine Country’s Best of the Blue

This exciting post-harvest event features over 50 wineries showcasing their best wines from the Blue Grand Canyon™.  The region will be featuring the abundance of Monterey County with:

Best of the Blue – 1pm to 4pm

• A “Try & Buy” Wine Marketplace where guests can purchase wines that are featured at the event.  An eco-friendly wine bag is provided with any first purchase of wine.
• Gourmet food trucks that will tempt your palate with everything from specialty salads and sandwiches to tasty Cuban dishes and cupcakes.
• Take a break in the comfortable Wine Enthusiast Lounge, where you can ask Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor of Wine Enthusiast, your most compelling wine questions.  Wineries and vineyards who have been certified sustainable through the Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT) will also have representatives on hand pouring wines in this intimate setting.
• Captivating artwork and videos that demonstrate the majestic beauty of the Blue Grand Canyon™, the National Marine Sanctuary, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Guests will leave with a great appreciation for how Monterey’s maritime influence impacts the viticulture industry, with an amazing 42 varietals being grown in Monterey Wine Country.
• Enjoy live music with the Cachagua Playboys
• The Williams & Sonoma Culinary Showcase will be open for you to view cooking demos throughout the day and sample holiday recipes that you can use at your own Thanksgiving table.

All of this at the incredible and exclusive venue of the Del Monte Aviation Center, a private jet hangar conveniently located near the Monterey airport.

VIP Pre-Tasting SOLD OUT – VIP Pre-Tasting – 11:30am to 12:45pm

Hosted by: Steve Heimoff
West Coast Editor and Wine Enthusiast

Relax in the fireside lobby of the Del Monte Aviation Center prior to The Best of the Blue.  Board the event early with a first class arrival, and meet Steve Heimoff, West Coast Editor for Wine Enthusiast.  Steve and select winemakers from Monterey will sample wines from Monterey County that he has given the highest ratings to in the Wine Enthusiast over the past year.  Rob Jensen (Testarossa), Eric Laumann (Cambiatta), Bill Anderson (Chateau Julien), and Dan Lee (Morgan Winery) will all be at the VIP celebration to discuss their wines that Steve has given the highest accolades to.  (This special pre-tasting also includes: VIP Parking, Complimentary Riedel Glass, Early and Private Entrance to the Event, Local Food Samples and General Admission to the Best of the Blue tasting.)

Why BLUE?

“Best of the Blue™” takes its name from the “Blue Grand Canyon™” – an underwater gorge beneath the surface of the Monterey Bay of the same size and scope as the Grand Canyon.  The maritime influence caused by this geological feature has a remarkable effect on this viticulture region, producing fog patterns and variable temperatures that span throughout the 90-mile-long grape-growing area.

Participating Wineries

The line-up of participating wineries is the “Who’s Who” of winemaking and grape growing in Monterey County.

Bernardus Winery * Boekenoogen Vineyards and Winery * Cambiata
Caraccioli Cellars * Carmel Road * Chalone * Chateau Julien Wine Estate
Coastview Vineyards * De Tierra Vineyards * DFV * Estancia * Figge Cellars
Galante * Hahn Winery * Heller Estate Organic Vineyards * Holman Ranch
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines * Joyce Vineyards * Le Mistral * Manzoni Vineyards
Marin’s Vineyard * McIntyre Vineyards * Mercy Vineyards * Mesa Del Sol Vineyards  Michaud Vineyards * Morgan Winery * Otter Cove Wines * Paraiso Vineyards
Pelerin Wines * Pessagno Winery * Pianetta Winery * Pierce Ranch
Saint’s Valley * Scheid Vineyards * Sycamore Cellars * Talbott Vineyards
Testarossa * Tudor Wines * Ventana Vineyards * Wente Vineyards * Wrath Wines

Featured Food Trucks

Babaloo Cuban Cuisine
Featuring traditional and with-a-twist Cuban dishes

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A Piece of Cake Bakery
Goodies from scratch, using only the highest quality ingredients

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The Pizza Gypsy
Wood-fired oven that is used for authentic Italian pizza and other Italian dishes

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Treatbot
The famous Karaoke Ice Cream Truck, featuring sorbets and cookie sandwiches

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Me and the Hound Memphis BBQ
Authentic Memphis pulled pork – a family tradition brought to you

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Lugano’s Swiss Bistro
Chef Andre Lengacher’s culinary magic will transport you to a little bit of Switzerland!

Celebrating the Abundance of Monterey County

Church Brothers
Sweet Spring Mix, Chopped Romaine, Wrapped Iceberg Lettuce, Wasabi Arugul, Spinach and Tuscan Lettuce
D’Arrigo Bros. - Andy Boy
Cactus Pear Puree with Lemonade
Red Blossom
Delicious Monterey County Strawberries
Tanimura & Antle
Before you leave stop by the T&A food truck and receive your complimentary take home samples of Artisan Lettuce and Artisan Romaine

Additional Food Stations

Butterfly Brittle * Dr. Kracker * Monterey Chocolate Company * Paris Bakery
San Tasti * Joseph Gallo Farms * Vertigo Coffee * Marich Confectionery  
Williams & Sonoma * Emi’s Biscotteria * Cabot Creamery
ECO-DELI * Maha’s Authentic Lebanese Cuisine

Additional Attractions

Professional Photographer Kip Evans will have a large selection of fine art prints on display for the Best of the Blue.

Chris’s Stuff * Kip Evans Photography * Blue Ocean Film Festival
The Monterey Bay Aquarium * Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Specialized Helicopers * CACHAGUA PLAYBOYS * Wine Stave Designs
Day of Event Photographer – Randy Tunnell

 Band

Cachagua Playboys

Hotel Partners

Want to stay at a luxurious and convenient spot for the night or the weekend?  Our event hotel partners are offering exclusive specials for Best of the Blue guests.  Reserve today.  Offers are based upon availability.   

Hyatt Regency Monterey
1 Old Golf Course Road
Monterey, CA  93940
Code: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/montereycountyvintnersgrowers
Room Availability:  Special Best of the Blue rates – Deluxe King or Double/Double $175 (plus $10 resort fee & tax)
Transportation:  As the Hyatt’s special guest they will be offering complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the Best of the Blue event for hotel guests who are attending the Best of the Blue.  Transportation is from the Hyatt Regency Monterey to the Del Monte Aviation Hangar.  Please call Rebecca Hinckley at 831.657.6568 to set up your transportation needs!

Monterey Plaza Hotel
400 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
Reservation Phone:  1.800.334.3999
Code:  Reference “Best of the Blue”
Room Availability: Inland View $189 / Ocean View $369 / Ocean with balcony $459

Hilton Garden Inn, Monterey
1000 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Reservation Phone: 1.831.373.6141
Code: Reference “MCVG”
Room Availability: Single/Double $139

Casa Munras Hotel & Spa
700 Munras Avenue
Monterey, CA  93940
Please book your reservation online at www.hotelcasamunras.com
Code: GCCV21
Phone: 831.375.2411
Room Availability: Friday, 11/11 and Saturday, 11/12 $109 single or double, plus applicable taxes. Room Type: Traditional King or Double/Double.  (Additional person is +$15.00).  Upgrades are available.

Hotel Pacific
300 Pacific Street
Monterey, CA  93940
Reservation Phone: 1.800.554.5542
Code: Reference “Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association/Best of the Blue”
Room Availability:  $169.00

 

Attire and Weather:

This event occurs inside of a jet hangar.  Therefore, while guests will be inside for the event, we would make the following recommendations:

Dress in layers since the hangar doors will be open and the hangar is not heated.

Wear comfortable shoes, as the space spans 20,000 sq. feet and you will want to see it all!

Rain or shine, the event is on!

 

Event Sponsors