Big Sur, California, sets the bar high when it comes to beautiful vacation destinations. This slice of central California stretches from Carmel to San Simeon and is one of the great places to see the coast on the planet. Highway 1 is a National American Scenic Byway offering visitors easy access to Big Sur and the opportunity to see a full range of natural features.
The region is also home to world class events that cover a variety of interests. Big Sur Food & Wine Festival is back after a one-year hiatus and is under new leadership. The event serves as a showcase for the community, shedding light on the restaurants and wine producers from the Big Sur area. Each day of the celebration brings different events for patrons to enjoy. The Magical Mystery Tour takes groups to three different wineries, where they get to meet winemakers and chefs, and sample their creations. We got to interview Elsa Rivera, CFO and Events Director for the festival, to talk about his great wine and food experience.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
ER: The previous incarnation of the festival ran for seven years. There was no festival last year due to a restructure. Technically, this would be our first year under new leadership and as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
ER: About 1,200 tickets will be sold with many guests going to multiple events.
RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event?
ER: We typically see couples and groups of friends in attendance.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
ER: How can we go wrong with the amazing scenery of Big Sur as a backdrop? We have been creative with the variety of events we host, from Hiking with Stemware and our very won Magical Mystery Tours on private properties to a Pinot Walkabout held in a working chef's garden at Post Ranch. What is also unique to us is that we aim to impart a sense of balance to our attendees by sharing a lovely weekend of fun while being good stewards of the land.
RAL: Take me through the activities patrons will find at the event.
ER: The Magical Mystery Tour takes 30 guests to three properties located off the beaten path where each property has a separate winemaker and chef. Our Hiking with Stemware event combines the best of Big Sur hospitality, food, and wine, at a stunning private property. The Somm Dinner highlights the winemaker's favorite pairings of entrees and wines. It’s held in different high quality Big Sur restaurants including Deetjens, Big Sur Bakery, and Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn.
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
ER: Most of us are in the hospitality business, and we’ve built great friendships with some of the best California winemakers including Paul Draper, John Kongsgaard, Gary Pisoni, and Tim Mondavi. Some of the industry's brightest new minds like Gavin Chanin, Pax Mahle, Paul Lato, and Hardy Wallace will also be on hand. David Morgan from David Kinch's The Bywater Team and chef talent from all over our peninsula and Bay Area will grace tasting tables with a bounty of offerings. The list of chef talent can be found on the website soon.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
ER: The Big Sur area offers everything! You can stay at beautiful yet private resorts like Post Ranch Inn, or small historic inns like Deetjen's. Glam camping is available at Ventana Campgrounds and you can even stay in yurts at Treebones Resort. A list of all lodging is available on our website under the "Book a Room" tab.
RAL: What does this event mean to the community?
ER: We want to promote Big Sur as a culinary destination, supporting the overall health, character, and vitality of the Big Sur community. The event is intended to stimulate the local economy and donate a large portion of proceeds to support local nonprofits that benefit health, safety, education, and art awareness. We also intend to fund fire relief efforts for those affected by the 2016 Soberanes fire.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
ER: Again, Big Sur is a world destination spot. However, the festival gives individuals who come to Big Sur on the festival weekend a more personal, more intimate view of the community and its landscapes while experiencing the offerings of our chefs, wineries, and SOMMs who give of their talents each year. We hear from attendees who come here, from all over the U.S. and various parts of the world, that our festival has given them life long memories of their time here and they've made this one of their planned trips each year.
For more information about the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival, please visit their website.