Big Sur throws a food and wine weekend unlike anywhere else, mostly because of where it is. Set against the cliffs and redwoods south of the Peninsula, the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival gathers chefs and winemakers for a series of tastings and dinners in early November, with the coast itself as the backdrop.
The events run intimate rather than mass-scale, hikes paired with pours, multi-course dinners at the lodges and inns, and tastings that put you elbow to elbow with the people who made the wine. Proceeds support the Big Sur community, which gives the whole weekend a sense of purpose beyond the plate. Tickets are limited by the small venues, so the good ones go early.
Getting there is part of the commitment, since Big Sur is a winding drive south of Carmel with limited cell service and no quick exits. Plan the route, watch the weather and any road conditions on Highway 1, and give yourself extra time both directions.
Book lodging early if you are staying over, because Big Sur’s handful of inns fill fast on festival weekend and the drive back to the Peninsula after a tasting dinner is not one to rush in the dark.
The event schedule posts to our events calendar, and our Eats coverage follows the Peninsula food scene. For tickets and the full program, the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival site has the details.