Passion for the pour: Chef Erin Sealy brings wine and food together in PB

Wine Pairs Events, a culinary experience that brings thoughtfully prepared food together with carefully selected wines, is coming to Pacific Beach on Oct. 20.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast, just beginning to explore wine, or simply looking for an intimate evening of exceptional flavors, chef Erin Sealy invites you to take a seat at her table at Drift Cafe.

Sealy is a self-made chef who specializes in pairing food with wine, beer and spirits. Her passion for wine began at an early age.

“Growing up in a Sicilian-American family, wine was always a part of meals, like bread on the table. I was able to have a tiny taste of wine as a child. I went to Italy my sophomore year of college and quickly realized that wine was cheaper than water. That experience
awakened my passion for wine,” Sealy said.

Sealy grew up cooking alongside her mother and Sicilian grandmother, developing an instinctive approach to food and flavors.

“I would drive my mother crazy because she was a recipe follower and I wasn’t. I was always experimenting with flavors. She doesn’t tease me anymore!”

That spirit of experimentation continues to shape her menus. Each dinner is built around the wines being poured, with careful consideration given to the flavors, textures and characteristics that make each pairing distinctive.

On Oct. 20, Stiekema Wine Company from Paso Robles will showcase five wines from its cellar in the relaxed, coastal setting of Pacific Beach. Sealy will present the evening’s food and wine pairings while sharing the story behind Stiekema wines. The menu is still being set.

Winemaker Mike Stiekema strives to produce wines that reflect life’s balance, incorporating sustainable and regenerative practices in both the vineyard and winery.

Each course will be paired with a specific wine, allowing guests to experience how the flavors of the food and wine complement and enhance one another.

Featured wines include the 2025 Rosé of Grenache/Mourvèdre, 2023 Grenache, 2024 Mourvèdre, 2024 Syrah and a 2023 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre blend. The menu will be
posted on the Wine Pairs Events website.

As fall brings cooler temperatures to San Diego, it’s an ideal time to gather around the table for an evening of seasonal food, wine and conversation. Sealy hosts dinners at 11 locations throughout San Diego, allowing guests to discover different neighborhoods while
experiencing her ever changing wine-pairing dinners.

For current schedules, menus and to register for this or other events, go to Wine Pairs Events.