journeyPod headed to sunny Southern California for the 5th Annual San Diego Wine and Food Festival. journeyPod was there for lip smacking, glass clinking, celebrity watching, swishing, swirling, mouth watering kinds of fun! Held at venues along the stunning San Diego waterfront, the Festival was a sizzling five-day festa that offered attendees everything from cooking classes with celebrity chefs, to wine tastings with Master Sommeliers, to a Reserve Tasting aboard the Hornblower’s Inspiration, and the Final Grand Event --where over 800 wines were poured.

journeyPod caught up with some of the movers and shakers at the festival. We spoke with the Chef of the Fest from 2007, Chef GT, for some real inside scoop on what it is like to be “Chef of the Fest.” We also chatted with the Dan from Redwood Creek Wines, and with Rita from Designo Plus who told us all about sea salts from around the world!

Let's take a listen straight from this year’s San Diego Wine and Food Festival.  And if you’re interested in attending the festival next November, journeyPod highly suggest you make your hotel reservations now—at the Grand Del Mar. That’s where we stayed this year and we couldn’t have been more impressed! Tune in for our podcast on The Grand Del Mar in an upcoming show.
You’re gonna love this kitchy piece called “Glass of Wine” by The New Autonomous Folksingers.

If you're looking for a trip away from it all, then journeyPod has the answer! Adventure lovers, couples, girlfriends and solo travelers enjoy a weekend up in the North Georgia mountains filled with wine tastings, spa, yoga, world-class cuisine, waterfalls, canoing and more!

Wolf Mountain Winery in Dahlonega serves 100 % Georgia-grown grapes in their seven varieties of wine. Bring the family for a gourmet Sunday brunch and let your tastebuds go wild with dishes like a Venison Sausage, Grilled Quail and Buffalo Chili! Celebrate the holidays, special occasions like weddings, anniversary parties and birthdays in your own private wine cellar or sit outside on the veranda and enjoy a bottle of award-winning wine while gazing at the breathtaking scenery. Make sure to ask about their wine club!

After a full day of wine tasting head on over to Pura Vida USA Wellness Spa and Retreat Center for a spa treatment, dip in the jacuzzi and healthy meal. Wake up in your own cottage or stay in the barnhouse and start the day off right with a rejuvenating yoga class! Listen in as we chat with Margaret Nemec about the Inn.

Spend the rest of the afternoon canoing, tubing and swimming at Dicks Creek Falls or marvel at the longest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi - Amicalola Falls.

Enjoy podsafe artist Mac and Shrout and their hit "My Angel:

Photocredit to Sirobertson!