The Annual Celebration Returns Sept. 12 With Local Artists, Wine and Parmigiano Reggiano
An afternoon of art, wine and live music is coming to North County when The Forum Carlsbad hosts its annual Fall Art & Wine Walk on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. The free, open-air event brings together local and visiting artists, notable wines and live acoustic music throughout the outdoor lifestyle shopping center in Carlsbad.
Guests are invited to stroll through the center and discover artwork on display at participating shops and restaurants, meeting the artists behind the pieces along the way. Creative experiences and interactive activities will be hosted by participating retailers throughout the afternoon.
Wine Garden
Wine enthusiasts 21 and older are invited to visit the Wine Garden near YETI, where Jimbo’s, San Diego’s natural and organic foods grocer, will present complimentary tastings. Mirabelle Charcuterie, Carlsbad’s premier charcuterie company, will serve an assortment of bites alongside samples of Jimbo’s Asparagus Parmesan Pistachio Salad.
The tasting will feature nine wines presented in partnership with Massanois, Opici Wines & Spirits and Vino Norte, with selections representing regions across California, Oregon, Washington, Italy and France. Featured pours include:
Massanois:
2022 Stanley Groovy Vinho Tinto (Washington State) — An approachable red blending Portuguese grape varieties with Washington State’s signature red grapes for an easy-drinking wine
2024 Vitae Springs Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley, OR) — Produced from historic, self-rooted vines, this Pinot Gris offers notes of grilled pineapple, Honeycrisp apple, beeswax and honeysuckle
2025 Joyce Sauvignon Blanc Arroyo Seco (Monterey, CA) — Grown in the coastal Arroyo Seco AVA, this Sauvignon Blanc features aromas of peach, gooseberry and lemongrass, followed by ripe pear, white pineapple, white peach and fresh herbs
Opici Wines & Spirits:
Carpineto Dogajolo Rosso (Tuscany, Italy) — A Tuscan red blending Sangiovese and Cabernet with a rich, fruity character and notes of cherry, coffee, vanilla and spice
2025 Carpineto Dogajolo Bianco (Tuscany, Italy) — A Chardonnay-based Tuscan white with an aromatic, fruit-forward character, balanced acidity and a soft, dry finish
Carpineto Dogajolo Rosato (Tuscany, Italy) — Made entirely from Sangiovese, this dry rosé offers delicate floral aromas with flavors of crisp red apple, currant and a hint of sour cherry
Vino Norte:
2025 Chateau Pas du Cerf “Le Merle” Rosé (Côtes de Provence, France) — A fresh Provençal rosé with notes of vine peach and fennel, complemented by delicate acidity and exotic fruit aromas
2023 Sea Shell “Low Tide” Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, CA) — A Paso Robles red with aromas of black cherry, violet and dusty cacao, followed by a palate of sweet raspberry, black plum and expressive cassis
2023 Maison Areion Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains, CA) — A cool-climate Chardonnay from one of California’s most distinctive mountain appellations
Live Parmigiano Reggiano Wheel-Cracking
A standout moment of the afternoon will be a live Parmigiano Reggiano wheel-cracking demonstration led by Certified Cheese Professional Eric Meredith. Meredith will crack a full wheel of authentic organic Parmigiano Reggiano, offering guests a rare look at the precision and care behind opening one of the world’s most iconic cheeses. Freshly cracked samples will be available following the demonstration.
Live Music
San Diego native Freddie Walton will perform live acoustic music throughout the afternoon. Known for blending influences from Dave Matthews, Bill Withers and John Mayer into a sound all his own, Walton brings a relaxed, soulful energy well suited to a day of art and wine.
Participating Retailers and Artists
Participating retailers will host a range of creative experiences throughout the event. Anthropologie will display the colorful work of artist Rania Malas, whose pieces blend abstract realism with expressive florals, animals and portraiture. Geppetto’s invites guests to create their own Lego buildable figure, while lululemon will feature handmade lifestyle accessories for people and their pets by Zo & Co Maine. Madewell features Coco Maloo’s acrylic and vintage collage works, and McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams invites guests to indulge in a sweet treat while viewing art. SAND+GRIT will be selling jewelry at Outerknown, The Henry will showcase the jewelry of Designs Del Mar by Diane, Warby Parker will exhibit Isabella Weaver‘s mixed-media paintings and YETI will feature resin-covered works by Just Because Resin Art.
Artists displaying work in common areas throughout the center include Angela Palacios, Artisan Collective (featuring Originals by Yesim, Tracey Renner Pottery and WDBD Art), Gather Wild, Inger Larson, Jessica Fuller, Joanne Barratt, Kelly Villasenor, Leticia Demeuse, Naomi Lou Made and roses & rosé, a North County floral studio bringing its signature flower cart with fresh, garden-inspired bouquets.
Supporting Shelter to Soldier
The event also gives back to a meaningful cause. Donations will be accepted at the Wine Garden to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego-area nonprofit that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans. The organization also places emotional support animals with active-duty military members and veterans.
“The Fall Art & Wine Walk is one of our favorite opportunities to gather as a community and celebrate the incredible creativity found throughout our region and beyond,” said Karis Ashton, marketing manager at The Forum Carlsbad. “We’re especially proud to bring the community together while supporting Shelter to Soldier and the important work they do.”
Event Details
The Fall Art & Wine Walk is free to attend and takes place Saturday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad. Guests interested in a pre-event workout can join Barry’s in the breezeway between Abercrombie & Fitch and ULTA at 1 p.m. For more information, visit theforumcarlsbad.com.
The Forum Carlsbad
1923 Calle Barcelona
Carlsbad, CA 92009
760.479.0166
Q&A:
Q: When and where is the Fall Art & Wine Walk?
A: The Fall Art & Wine Walk takes place Saturday, Sept. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA. The event is free to attend.
Q: What can guests expect at the Wine Garden?
A: The Wine Garden, located near YETI, offers complimentary wine tastings for guests 21 and older, presented by Jimbo’s. This year’s lineup features nine wines from California, Oregon, Washington, Italy and France, selected in partnership with Massanois, Opici Wines & Spirits and Vino Norte. Mirabelle Charcuterie will serve an assortment of bites alongside samples of Jimbo’s Asparagus Parmesan Pistachio Salad.
Q: What kind of art will be on display?
A: Artwork will be displayed throughout participating shops and restaurants across the center, with pieces spanning contemporary coastal painting, abstract work, photography, resin art, vintage collage, ceramics, handcrafted jewelry and more. Guests can meet the artists behind the work throughout the afternoon.
Q: Is there anything else happening beyond art and wine?
A: Certified Cheese Professional Eric Meredith will lead a live Parmigiano Reggiano wheel-cracking demonstration, with freshly cracked samples available to guests afterward. San Diego musician Freddie Walton will perform live acoustic music throughout the afternoon, and guests can also join a pre-event workout with Barry’s at 1 p.m. in the breezeway between Abercrombie & Fitch and ULTA.
Q: Is there a charitable component to the event?
A: Guests are encouraged to make a donation at the Wine Garden to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego-area nonprofit that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans. The organization also places emotional support animals with active-duty military members and veterans.
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