Thank you Yelp and my Elite buddy Angie for this fun VIP experience. The Great Wine Festival May…read more21, 2016 from 2-5pm was an enjoyable experience for me. I think I may have had a better time than many of the other patrons because Yelp VIP we're able to enter the event at 1:00pm, an hour earlier than the general public and our tickets were free not $100 each like others paid.
Parking at OC Great Park, Hangar 224 was very easy to find and free of charge. Once we checked in we were given a HUGE gift bag to fill up with swag and were also given a nice engraved wine glass . I think my friend wanted to strangle me because I kept bumping her with the cumbersome bag. There was not too many goodies to put in there. I got a couple pamphlets, wine book, business cards, a keychain , pin, sticker , and one beer can holder. I checked into Yelp and got a complimentary wine corkscrew . All of this could have fit in my purse, but the thought was there and I'm appreciative.
Sip and savor was the events theme. There was live music and all inclusive wine, beer, spirits, and food. Half of the event was inside the hangar and the other half was under white tents outside. Since Angie and I were able to enter the event an hour early , we were able to take our time and visit all the booths before the insane crowds came. We were done after an hour and change because it was so crowded and there was still a line to get in.
My favorite wine at this event was the OneHope merlot. Ludlow had some awesome jelly shots (I had 2 lemon drops). Tatratea had some awesome mixed drinks and for an additional $5 we got these cool copper mugs filled to the brim with fresh berries and mint with a mojito type drink inside. There was a lot of IPA type beers but I did not try any of those. Fiji water provided nice small water bottles for everyone to hydrate .
There was not much food to sample here, but since we were early we got to try everything. Brio provided a small plate of pasta and mozzarella & tomato skewers. Shuck oyster bar gave everyone a little cup of clam chowder ( very good ) . Trader Joes gave out a packet of granola mix. I don't recall all the names of the vendors but there was also chocolate , cheeses, bread, crackers galore, pulled pork in martini glasses , carrot cake, chocolate cake , tarts, ice cream, pastries, and a booth that had olive oils and balsamic vinegar.
On our first round we found a table no problem, and enjoyed our treats and drinks while listening to the live music. There were very few tables and seats, so when we came back to the table area we were lucky to to share a table with a nice couple. After round three there were no open tables or seats at all. By this time it was 2:00pm and the general ticket holders were coming in. It is very hard to eat and drink while holding a huge gift bag, purse, wine glass, and mug of TatraTea.
We decided to call it a day when it was getting claustrophobic 15 minutes later. Intoxicated people , warm weather , crowds, and big bags bumping into everyone was a little much. I feel bad for the people that came later. I hear the food ran out and seating was even worse. If I had paid $100 for my ticket I would have been pissed. Thank you again Yelp. I had a lovely time with my friend , nice music, good food , and plenty of wine. I'm pleased as punch.