The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival is back, and it’s coming in hot after being named one of America’s best food festivals by Thrillist. Get ready for five days near the sea packed with culinary stars, pro athletes, and the best of San Diego and Baja culture.

Now in its fourth year, DMWFF has grown into something way bigger than a typical food and wine festival, pulling in more than 10,000 attendees in a single year by blurring the lines between food festival, sporting event, and beachside block party.

Sports Icons and Food Network Stars Collide

DMWFF was co-founded by sports icons Alex Morgan, Drew Brees, and Rob Machado alongside Food Network host Troy Johnson, and that food-meets-active-culture DNA runs through everything the festival does.

San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC are joining the celebration too, bringing that stadium-day energy straight to the festival’s biggest weekend.

And the chef lineup? It reads like a Food Network and Top Chef roster. Headlining this year:

• Aarti Sequeira
• Maneet Chauhan
• Beau MacMillan
• Jackson Kalb
• Kelsey Murphy
• Mawa McQueen
• Claudia Sandoval
• Matt Peters, America’s first Bocuse d’Or gold medalist

Cali-Baja’s Best Local Talent

Beyond the big names, the festival is loaded with Michelin Stars, James Beard Award recognition, and plenty of favorite mom-and-pops from the Cali-Baja culinary scene. With more than 100 chefs and restaurants taking part, there’s no shortage of talent to discover between bites.

Featured talent includes:

• Eric Bost (MICHELIN-starred Jeune et Jolie and Lilo)
• James Beard semifinalist Tara Monsod (Animae, Le Coq)
• Jason Knibb (NINE-TEN)
• Karen Krasne (Extraordinary Desserts)
• Brad Wise (A’L’ouest)
• Victor Jimenez (Cowboy Star)
• Phillip Esteban (White Rice)
• Tim Kolanko (CUCINA urbana, The Kitchen @ MCASD)
• Jon Sloan (Juniper & Ivy)
• Benito Molina (MasterChef México judge and pioneering Baja chef)
• Drew Deckman (MICHELIN-starred Conchas de Piedra)
• Esteban Lluis (MICHELIN-starred Damiana)
• Oscar Torres (Javier Plascencia’s MICHELIN-starred Animalón)
• Alex Carballo (Nómada)

Plenty more local names round out the lineup, each bringing their own serious credibility to the table. Whether you’re chasing a MICHELIN star or a favorite neighborhood spot, this lineup covers both ends of the spectrum.

A Week of Dinners and Celebrations

Things kick off with Signature San Diego: The Opening Party at Monarch Ocean Pub, complete with ocean views and a walk-around tasting of hometown favorites.

From there, Rioja Uncorked takes over Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa with Spain’s famed wine region and chef-driven pairings, while a private Rancho Santa Fe estate hosts an intimate Baja dinner paired with Tequila Ocho.

Then there’s the Drew Brees Celebrity Pickleball Tournament at Barnes Tennis Center, joined by former tennis star James Blake and former MLB players Brett Tomko and Eric Byrnes, all benefiting Feeding San Diego.

Add in a milestone Château Montelena dinner marking 50 years since the Judgment of Paris, plus a JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery dinner featuring Jackson Kalb, Matt Peters, and Estancia Executive Chef Kaitlyn Weber, and you’ve got a serious lineup before the main event even starts.

Once the Grand Tasting wraps, the celebration doesn’t stop. Nightcap, DMWFF’s official after-party at Guesthouse La Valle, shifts the focus to spirits and cocktails, with Kelsey Murphy and Beau MacMillan leading a culinary lineup of bites inspired by classic cocktail flavors, paired with premium spirits and craft pours.

The Grand Tasting Weekend

The Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park is the big one: more than 100 top chefs and restaurants from San Diego and Baja, plus 150+ international wine, spirits, and beverage producers, spread across the professional soccer fields for two full days.

One and two-day passes start at $185 for single-day general admission and include unlimited food and drink, with early entry and VIP access also available.

With this many zones packed into the weekend, it’s easy to spend two full days at Surf Sports Park and still not see it all:

• The Matchday Experience – bringing Snapdragon Stadium energy to the fields with San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC
• Celeb Chef Culinary Stage – live demos from Food Network stars, presented by Alaska Airlines
• The Teebox Experience – a golf simulator and putt-putt pop-up with premium spirits partners
• The Beef Experience – premium cuts from twelve chefs, presented by Brandt Beef
• VIP Experience – early access and an exclusive lounge with elevated bites and pours
• Pride Experience – celebrating LGBTQ+ chefs and queer-owned brands, curated by San Diego Pride
• Wellness Experience – movement, mindfulness, and recovery, anchored by prAna
• Plant Paradise – plant-based restaurants and brands, hosted by Zuliya Khawaja
• Taco Alley – tacos and cocktails, presented by Milagro Tequila
• The Beach – surf-inspired games and coastal cuisine
• Locals Only – San Diego-born lifestyle and food brands, presented by Coola
• Spotlight on San Luis Obispo – 20+ wineries and regional brands, presented by Visit SLO CAL
• Spotlight on Santa Barbara – wineries and celebrated restaurants, presented by Visit Santa Barbara
• Spotlight on Tahoe & Reno – ski-season activations, presented by Visit Reno Tahoe

With this many zones packed into one weekend, it’s easy to spend two full days at Surf Sports Park and still not see it all.

Giving Back, One Bite at a Time

Beyond the celebration, the festival has raised more than $100,000 for Feeding San Diego and other local nonprofits since launching in 2023.

A portion of this year’s proceeds once again benefits Feeding San Diego, the region’s only Feeding America partner food bank, which provides more than 31 million meals a year through a network of over 350 local charities, schools, and food pantries.

See you there!

Five days of culinary stars, cross-border culture, and San Diego’s biggest names in sports and food await.

📆 Wednesday, September 30 – Sunday, October 4, 2026
🎟️ Grab your tickets here
ℹ️ Get more details here

See you there, San Diego!