San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Public Tasting Returns to Fort Mason for a One-Day, Award-Winning Pour Lineup

San Francisco, CA

On Saturday, March 7, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition brings its Public Tasting back as a true “clear-the-calendar” kind of afternoon—hundreds of medal-winning wines, poured under one roof at the Fort Mason Center Gateway Pavilion. It’s the rare tasting where discovery feels effortless: you can roam, compare, circle back, and leave with a mental shortlist of bottles you actually want to track down later.

The main way in is the Signature Tasting Pass, with entry beginning at 1:30 p.m. and unlimited tastings from more than 100 wineries, plus a commemorative glass and snacks and small bites to keep the pace comfortable. For anyone who wants a calmer first lap—before the room fills in—Early Edition VIP opens the doors at 12:30 p.m. and adds access to the Chronicle Cellar VIP Lounge from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a breather between pours (and an optional scavenger-hunt element the Chronicle says will include prizes).

For the most structured experience, the Newsroom Reserve Pass layers in a dedicated lounge (also 12:30–4:30 p.m.) with “exclusive conversations” with winemakers and chefs, a meet-and-greet with Chronicle senior wine critic Esther Mobley and wine reporter Jess Lander, and added perks like complimentary parking (or a rideshare credit) and a tote bag and pin. Advance pricing for these tiers is listed as available “while supplies last” through February 16..

New this year, the tasting can also turn more “guided” if you want it to. Mobley and Lander are each hosting a 45-minute curated tasting class focused on current wine trends—separate ticket required, limited seating, selected during checkout—so you can add a tighter, more editorial lens to the day if you don’t feel like free-form wandering the whole time.

To make a day (or an easy weekend) of it, Fort Mason’s waterfront setting does half the work for you: pair the tasting with a breezy pre-event walk along the Marina Green, a Golden Gate–view coffee stop, or a post-tasting dinner in the Marina, Cow Hollow, or North Beach.