The Annual USD Wine Classic

Across the country, the University of San Diego is acclaimed for its excellence in education, values, traditions, and passionate alumni. Each year, USD graduates and their peers come together to celebrate future and current students and their accomplishments at the annual USD Wine Classic. Thirty wineries throughout California will be showcased and tasted alongside gourmet foods. Hosted by the USD Alumni Association Board of Directors, the event is a fundraiser for future students of the University of San Diego that need financial assistance. All proceeds will benefit select students of USD who exemplify values like academic merit, work ethic, and community involvement. So join USD alumni and friends for a festive night filled with wine, food, live music, and merriment! 

The event is broken into two days. The Vintners Dinner will kick-off the USD Wine Classic on July 16th at 6pm. An opening reception will be held at USD’s La Gran Terraza Restaurant for all attendees, followed by a four-course meal. Be sure to come with an empty stomach! Four wineries will be highlighted throughout this particular night: Ferrari Carano, Kimmel Vineyards, SCRIBE and St. Supery. Throughout the evening, you will have the opportunity to hear each company discuss their ideology of wine crafting. 

The festivities continue on the afternoon of Sunday July 17th when the ZINTASTIC! Zinfandel Component Blending Seminar begins. Hosted by Christopher Silva, the president and CEO of St. Francis Winery, will guide a tasting of Sonoma’s popular Zinfandels—or black-skinned wine grapes. Following the tasting, attendees can blend their own wines from Zinfandels just like a professional maker! In no time, you’ll feel like an experienced vintner. Seize the opportunity for drinking and crafting with the guidance of renowned makers and connoisseurs. The ZINTASTIC! Zinfandel Component Blending Seminar will be held at the Joan B. Kroc Institue for Peace & Justice, Room A. 

Countless wineries will be highlighted throughout the weekend. Each come from various places throughout California—and Mexico! And even better, the wineries have special associations with the University of San Diego. Several of them were founded by USD graduates, or are friends of the university. 2Plank Vineyards, a San Diego based winery will participate in the weekend, along with 29 others. Three Sonoma wineries will attend: Benziger Family Winery, Brooks Note Winery, and SCRIBE Winery. Several wineries from Napa Valley will be showcased, including: CADE Estate Winery, Fontanella Family Winery, and Gibbs Napa Valley. Other attending wineries are coming from Glen Ellen, Monterey, Rutherford, Potter Valley, Calistoga, and Santa Rosa. Some are close to San Diego, like Menghini Winery in Julian and Stehleon Vineyards in Escondido. All of them will supply attendees tastes of their best. Try them and see which ones you love! 

The USD Wine Classic will come to a close with a special wine tasting alongside gourmet food, live music, and a silent auction. Join fellow wine enthusiasts in tasting the creations of 30 wineries, all affiliated with USD. The proceeds of this event will benefit the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund, which was created about ten years ago. This fund runs primarily off of donations from alumni, ranging from gifts of $10 to $250. The USD Wine Classic serves to benefit the fund, allowing scholarships to be given to deserving students. With financial burdens aided, students are able to reach their full academic potential. The seventh annual USD Wine Classical proudly raised over $60,000! Students who have received scholarship from the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Fund have expressed gratitude to everyone involved, thanking them profusely for allowing them to receive the greatest education possible. Be a part of this year’s event, and help students reach their goals and greatest dreams.

Tickets for each event have gone on sale, but will close on July 15th. You can register online at the USD Wine Classic’s website. Each event has their own ticket. The ZINTASTIC! Zinfandel Component Blending Seminar tickets cost $30, the Wine Classic $95, and the Vintners Dinner $150. A package is offered wherein you can attend the Wine Classic and Vintners dinner for $235. It’s sure to be a memorable weekend, no matter which activity you choose to attend. Tickets are limited, so buy them before they're sold out!