Wine Guy: Roll Out the Barrel to benefit Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego will Roll Out the Barrel on May 16, helping to make wishes come true for local children.

The event, which will be held from 5 to 10 p.m., has been designed as a premium food and wine fundraising event for the local nonprofit.

It is complete with some of the finest wineries from California and beyond, elite food vendors and recognized local entertainment and celebrities, all hosted among the serene setting of Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn & Suites.

Roll Out the Barrel differentiates itself from other similar themed events in the area by focusing on being a more intimate gathering while offering fine food, wine and entertainment.

Viader Vineyards and Winery, known for balanced and age-worthy reds, headline the list of participating wineries. Also pouring, among others, will be stalwarts Orin Swift, producer of The Prisoner; Newton Vineyards and ZD Wines, producers of big and bold chardonnays; and Chateau Montelena, famous for putting the Napa Valley on the map at the now famous Paris tasting of 1976.

Samples from more than 20 restaurants and purveyors will be on hand for guests to enjoy. Everything from Kerrygold Cheese to Sushi on a Roll to Donovan’s Steak and Chop House will be available. Sweet treats from Cupcakes Squared and Chuao Chocolatier round out the dessert portion of the tastings.

The Bigfellas join Rob and Amber Whitlock, Lisa Sanders and Citizen Band as show openers. Headliners Eve Selis and A.J. Croce, son of the late Jim Croce, take the stage from 8:30 p.m. until the event concludes.

Radio celebrity Jeff Detrow, of The Jeff and Jer Showgram heard on Star 94.1 FM, will emcee the event. Also making a special appearance will be Sam Zien, commonly known as “Sam the Cooking Guy.”

Zien said: “An organization that grants kids wishes? How can you not like a charity like that?”

In addition to the food, wine and entertainment, a live and silent auction will be held. Live auction items include a vacation package to Kauai, Hawaii, dinner with the San Diego Fire Department or a sailing cruise with Zien. Padres memorabilia, a Channel 4 skybox experience and TAG Heuer watches are among the items available in the silent auction.

General admission tickets are $100 and include unlimited tastings and live entertainment. VIP tickets are $175 and include early admission, entry to the VIP-only Marina Ballroom, which overlooks the marina and main stage, and offers access to additional restaurants and rare wines.

No more than 200 VIP tickets will be sold.

For more information on the event, visit