Uncorked: Derby Days — Wine, Horse Racing, and Derby Style Trackside at Del Mar

Overview

Grab a derby hat, grab a bowtie, and grab your people — Uncorked: Derby Days is one of San Diego's favorite fall traditions, and it's about as fun as a wine event gets. It's an afternoon of unlimited tastings, live thoroughbred racing, music, dancing, and dress-up, all set trackside at the iconic Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 12 to 4 p.m.

Think of it as the derby-themed sibling of the summer Uncorked wine festival — same organizer, same legendary venue, but with a fall race-day twist: wine where the wine meets the winner's circle. It's 21+, it benefits a good cause, and it's a genuine excuse to get dressed up.

What You Actually Need to Know

• Event: Uncorked: Derby Days, by Uncorked Wine Festivals
• Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
• Where: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club — Del Mar, CA
• Price: General Admission $75 / Early Admission $90 (from about $84 with fees); prices rise as it sells out
• Ages: 21 & up only
• Benefits: Urban Surf 4 Kids (surf camps and water therapy for orphans and foster kids)
• Heads up: No refunds
• Info: uncorkedwinefestivals.com

What's Included

Your ticket is an all-afternoon package, not just a tasting wristband:

• Unlimited tastings of 100+ wines, bubblies, and cocktails
• Front-row views of live thoroughbred racing, plus all-day access to the track
• A live DJ spinning all afternoon, with dancing and festival energy
• The Derby Dame & Dapper Dan Fashion Contest — the crowd-favorite best-dressed showdown, with prizes
• Local food trucks (food available for purchase)
• Endless photo-worthy moments in a genuinely beautiful setting

The pairing is the whole appeal: a glass in hand, the thunder of live racing right in front of you, and everyone dressed to the nines. It leans into the occasion in a way most tastings don't.

Two Sessions: Which Ticket to Get

There are two entry tiers, and the difference is simply how early you get in:

• Early Admission ($90): Enter at 12:00 p.m. for an extra hour of tasting and access before the General Admission crowd arrives — plus bonus pours from select wineries. Best if you want the calmest, most generous version of the day.
• General Admission ($75): Entry begins at 1:00 p.m., with full access and tasting through 4:00 p.m. The standard, and still three solid hours.

If maximizing your pours and beating the crowd matters to you, the extra $15 for Early Admission is the easy call. Either way, prices climb as the event sells out, so earlier is cheaper.

Good to Know

• Dress the part — derby hats, bowties, and derby-inspired style are the whole vibe, and there's a fashion contest with prizes to reward it
• 21 & up only — bring ID, and sip responsibly
• No refunds — pick your session and commit
• Buy early — this is a popular annual event and prices increase as inventory sells
• Come hungry — food trucks are on site, sold separately from admission
• Plan a ride home — it's unlimited tastings, so rideshare or a designated driver is the move
• It's for a good cause — a portion of proceeds benefits Urban Surf 4 Kids

However you pour it, Derby Days is one of the more festive, dress-up-worthy afternoons on San Diego's fall calendar. For more happening around town, browse our full event calendar.