Pacific Wine & Food Classic

Pacific Wine & Food Classic is an annual outdoor food and wine festival held each September in Newport Beach, California — now in its 8th year, the one-day event takes place at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort along the shores of Back Bay. The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 12, bringing together 35+ top Orange County restaurants and 100+ wines alongside craft cocktails and beer in an all-inclusive, strolling format that runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with VIP entry beginning at 1:00 PM.

Pacific Wine & Food Classic is structured as a walkable tasting event, designed for guests to move freely between food and beverage stations rather than sit at assigned tables. Local chefs and Orange County restaurants are central to the programming, with the festival explicitly positioning the culinary talent of the region as its main draw. New for 2026, the event introduces the Bubble Garden, a dedicated area featuring sparkling and bubbly drinks positioned at the water's edge. The festival also partners with California Love Drop for charitable fundraising. Tickets are described as limited and historically sell out.

All food and drink are included in the ticket price — there are no additional fees for tastings, with offerings available while exhibitors have product. The event is 21+ only, and valid photo ID is required at entry. Guests receive a single-use wristband upon ticket scan. Parking at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is limited, and the organizers strongly encourage ridesharing via Uber or Lyft. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as the event takes place on a mix of pavement, grass, and some sand. Resort chic attire is suggested. No backpacks, pets, chairs, or outside alcohol are permitted.

Newport Beach sits within Orange County, a coastal Southern California market known for its proximity to wine-producing regions including Temecula Valley to the south and the broader Central Coast AVAs to the north. The festival's 100+ wine selection reflects that regional access, drawing from California producers across multiple styles.