About

The Salinas Valley Food & Wine volunteer committee is excited to host our 12th annual festival on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

We had a record-breaking attendance in 2022 & hope to see the same again this year!

History

The Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival is celebrating 12 years in 2023. The Festival has joined the ranks of other large-scale events with The Monterey Herald’s “Salinas Valley Reader’s Choice” ballots recognizing the Festival as one of the Top 3 favorite local events — just above the California International Airshow and just under the California Rodeo Salinas!

The Festival is coordinated by a hands-on, action-oriented Board of Directors who volunteer their time and energy to do what they love—immersing themselves in food and wine culture, for the community they love—the Salinas Valley.

For 11 years, the Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival has been dedicated to increasing the popularity of locally grown and crafted food and wine. Ultimately, the Festival brings our community together as well as invites visitors from outside the area to experience & celebrate the tastes & sounds of the Salinas Valley, while raising funds to support local worthwhile and important community nonprofit organizations.

Mission Statement

The Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival celebrates culture and community through the foods and wines of the Salinas Valley while benefiting community or nonprofit organizations.

Values

The Salinas Valley Food & Wine Festival is coordinated by a hands-on, action-oriented Board of Directors who are volunteering their time and energies to do what they love—immersing themselves in food and wine culture, for the community they love—the Salinas Valley. The Festival promotes and highlights talented artisans of foods, wines, and art. The community and visitors are introduced to these special creations of the Salinas Valley.

Committee Members

The 2022 Festival Board of Directors

Directors

Joel Panzer, Chair
Krishna Patel, Director of Finance
Ashley Mcdonnell, Director of Logistics
Dana Arvig, Director of Media
Alex Garcia, Director of Marketing
Dee Dee Estrada, Director of Entertainment
Frank Savino, Director of Food
Mayra Villareal, Director of Wine & Beer
Juan Estrada, Director of Volunteers
Guille Barbosa, Director Ticketing and Registration
Artie Rosas, Wine & Beer Co-Director
Maureen Wruck, Sponsorship Experience
Jerry Lami, Farmers Market Liason – Food
Dennise Garcia, Sponsorship Support

 

Administrative Support

Laura Harris, Sponsorship-Grant Writer
Alex Garcia, Media-Event Promotion
Yadira Hobby, Event Manager
Michelle Cazola , Assistant Event Coordinator

Wine Grapes