F.A.Q's
(Frequently asked questions)
Can I buy a ticket at the event?
What if I lose my ticket, or can’t come?
Is there any food available at the Festival events?
How many people will be there?
What is a Silent Auction? Who benefits?
Will there be any water available?
Can we bring our children, or our pets?
Can we bring our picnic lunch, chairs and blanket?
What if I lose my ticket, or can’t come?
Do I need to bring my ID?
Yes, you much present your print-at -home voucher with matching photo indentication to the name printed on the ticket. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Your admission ticket entitles you unlimited wine tasting privileges. You will also be given a long stem wine glass and program. There will be over 250 wines to sample. Pace yourself and don’t overindulge! Spit buckets are provided along with lots of water to drink.
Is there any food available at the Festival events?
Yes, there are free unlimited appetizers, artisan cheeses, fresh cut fruits, breads and more. But, these are just sample portions. We do not serve a meal. Please eat something before you come.
How many people will be there?
The Friday evening event is limited to 300 and 600 respectively. The Saturday Harvest Wine Festival is a spirited, Festival atmosphere attracting 2000-2500 wine lovers. (Shirts and shoes required)
Valet parking is available at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa for the Friday night events or you can self park in the parking lot a short walk from venue. Parking attendants will be there to direct you. Saturday parking is available in the nearby city lots. We highly recommend taking public transportation or having a designated driver. The law is very strict on drinking and driving.
What is a Silent Auction? Who benefits?
It’s great fun and you can get some real bargains on exotic large format bottles (double magnums!) of premium wines, wine country trips and lots of other great items. And 100% of the net proceeds goes to Foodbank for Monterey County.
In a Silent Auction, there is no annoying auctioneer and no pressure. Every item is laid out for your inspection. You casually inspect, read descriptions, and if you want, write down a bid on the bid sheet. When time is up at the end of the festival, if you have the highest written bid – you win that item (s)! You pay the bid amount and take your item home with you. Simple and fun!
Will there be any water available?
Yes, every event will feature free unlimited water.
Can we bring our children, or our pets?
Although we love children, by law, no one under 21 can be admitted onto the ground. No babysitting facilities. No infants. No strollers. No exceptions. And health laws prohibit any animals of any kind on the grounds. Leave them home too. (Except guide dogs for the blind)
VIP and Early Entrance ticket holders may enter at 11:30 am, for 90 minutes of preview food sampling and wine tasting. Saturday Festival ticket holders usually start arriving and lining up at 12:30. The gate opens at 1 pm sharp. The festival closes at 4 pm sharp.
Can we bring our picnic lunch, chairs and blanket?
We encourage our guests to circulate among the wineries and sample the wines and foods. There are grassy areas where you can rest under provided umbrellas, but no chairs or other sitting facilities are available. There simply isn’t enough room for picnicking inside the grounds. You may get a hand stamp, picnic at the beach then re-enter the grounds if you wish.
Friday: “Rare Wine Tasting” Casual elegant resort wear is great. No t-shirts and cut-offs please.
Saturday Beachside Festival: No shoes, no shirt, NO ENTRY! T-shirts, shorts OK. Bare feet can get cut on broken glass. Heels are hard to wear on grass! Be comfortable. Have fun. Be safe.
Bite your tongue! It has never rained at our event and we expect perfect “Chamber of Commerce” weather again this year. Never say never…this is a rain or shine event. The Festival will go on regardless of the weather. If it looks like rain, bring an umbrella! No refunds will be given.
(The sun at the beach is bright and you may get a burn. Bring
sunscreen and wear a hat.)
Friday night event will have some seating available. The grounds on Saturday’s Harvest Festival get very crowded and are not conducive to seating. There are grassy areas where you may rest, and the VIP Pavilion has limited seating for less than 100 (requires a VIP ticket to enter). You may get a hand stamp; leave the grounds and return any time you like.
See you at the Festival! DISCLAIMER: You must be over 21 years of age to attend any California Wine Festival (CWF) event. NO infants, strollers, or animals allowed on Festival grounds. No Exceptions. Tickets are non-refundable for any reason. CWF offers a variety promotional discounts on ticket prices throughout the pre-event promotion. No lowest price guarantee is offered or inferred. CWF does not issue partial or complete refunds to ticket purchasers for any reason. All sales are final. All CWF events are Rain or Shine events.
E-mail: info@californiawinefestival.com