Your complete guide to the 2022 Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience

Niki Kottmann, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·4 min read
Bourbon from Arizona Distillery Co. is showcased during a Wine & Food Experience in 2019 near Scottsdale, Arizona.
Bourbon from Arizona Distillery Co. is showcased during a Wine & Food Experience in 2019 near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Prepare your tastebuds: It's time for the inaugural Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience.

This traveling USA Today event is for anyone who wants to sit back, relax and try samples from various Coachella Valley businesses — and wash them down with fine wines and spirits, naturally.

Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience is part of an eight-city tour that's already stopped in Indianapolis; Louisville, Kentucky; and Asheville, North Carolina and celebrates the best chefs, wine and food in each participating USA Today Network community.

Here's everything you need to know about this new greater Palm Springs culinary event.

When is the 2022 Wine & Food Experience?

The Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Palm Springs Stadium at 1901 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs.

  • Noon: VIP ticket holder entry

  • 1 p.m.: Grand Tasting ticket holder entry

Can I still get tickets?

Yes. Grand Tasting (general admission) tickets are still available for $65, and VIP tickets are still available for $100.

VIP tickets get you:

  • Early entry to allow access to the full event prior to general admission attendees

  • All benefits included in the Grand Tasting – unlimited samplings, tasting of fine wines and craft beer, access to The Culinary Demonstration Stage and The Cellar Stage.

  • Access to the VIP Lounge with exclusive sampling

The Wine & Food Experience will take place rain or shine, so all tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event — for $15 more — or online at wineandfood.usatoday.com/events/palmsprings.

What food will be at the 2022 event?

Although the final list of vendors participating in the 2022 event is still being finalized, here's a peek at the list of participating businesses so far (and the chefs and owners running the booths):

  • The Front Porch at The Farm (Guadalupe Carreon)

  • Clandestino (Gustavo Carreon)

  • Chi-Chi Restaurant at The Avalon Hotel & Bungalows (Larry Monaco)

  • Melvyn’s at The Ingleside Inn (Larry Monaco)

  • King’s Highway (Daniel Rodriguez)

  • Perfect Pint (Gabrielle Nagengast)

  • Gelato Granucci (Tom Allen)

  • Anna’s Temptations Granola (Anna Nicholas)

  • The Crain Experience (Chefs Renny and Jason)

  • Trio Restaurant (Phillip Martin)

  • Mica’s Soul Kitchen (Chermica Simmons)

  • BaBaLoo Lounge Gastropub (Jonathan Gustavo Ungo)

  • Mr. Lyons Steakhouse

  • Goufrais Southern California – Cocoa Confections

  • California Fish Grill

What drinks will be at the 2022 event?

Guests can sample wine, spirits and more from the following purveyors:

  • Austin Hope Winery

  • Ascension Cellars

  • Navarro Vineyards

  • Spindrift Spiked Seltzer

  • American Harvest Vodka

  • Garrison Brothers Distillery

  • La Croix

Are kids or pets allowed at the event?

No, but it's a great excuse to find a babysitter for the afternoon. The Wine & Food experience is for patrons 21 and older, so no children, infants (even in strollers or carriers) or pets — with the exception of certified service animals — are allowed to attend.

What should I wear?

As a general guideline, the suggested dress code is “smart casual” attire. But most importantly, you'll be doing a decent amount of walking to hit every tasting booth, so definitely wear comfortable shoes.

What can I bring to the Wine & Food Experience?

Just bring yourself, your ticket and some friends ready to have a good time. Outside food and beverage are not allowed, and neither are backpacks, large bags and suitcases.

What is the 2022 schedule of events?

In addition to sampling a wide variety of food and wine, eventgoers will get the chance to watch several participating chefs in action at the demonstration area. The event schedule for this part of the day has yet to be finalized, but check the website for more information soon: wineandfood.usatoday.com/events/palmsprings.

Any tips for having the best experience possible?

Food and Wine Experience Culinary Director Jared Bobkin said first and foremost, people should remember this event is taking place in the desert, and even though it won't be in the summer heat, attendees need to stay hydrated. There will be plenty of bottled water provided between vendor booths.

Bobkin also stressed the importance of pacing yourself and doing a lap when you first enter.

"Come hungry," he said. "And you want to go in, get your surroundings and figure out what you want to test out — that gives you an opportunity to say 'OK, we've got to try this, but I don't want to try that,' because otherwise, it's like what did you stand in line for?"

He also noticed one clever trick at a few of the 2022 events so far.

"There's been a total of four people — out of the thousands, we've seen four people — who brought a little tray to put samples on, and I thought that was genius."

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Here's your complete guide to the Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience