Mainly Mozart Expands Wine Pairing Series with Additional Concertmasters and Saturday Performances

The San Diego nonprofit Mainly Mozart has announced the return of its Wine Pairing Series for the 2025/2026 season, expanding the popular program to include four concertmasters across four weekends of performances. Following the enthusiastic response to its 2024 debut, the series now adds Saturday concerts alongside Sunday performances and features an additional concertmaster compared to last year's three. The expansion reflects growing audience interest in this innovative approach to classical music presentation.

Presented by Jean-Charles Boisett Wineries, the series will showcase four of America's leading concertmasters: Jun Iwasaki of the Kansas City Symphony performing November 15-16, 2025; Nurit Bar-Josef of the National Symphony appearing January 10-11, 2026; Nathan Cole of the Boston Symphony scheduled for February 21-22, 2026; and Frank Huang of the New York Philharmonic performing April 11-12, 2026. Each concertmaster will be joined by distinguished principal players from their respective orchestras, creating exceptional musical collaborations.

The unique format begins with an open hors d'oeuvres reception before audiences are seated for an intimate concert and tasting experience. Each musical piece on the program is paired with curated wines specifically chosen to mirror the style and emotion of the music. Wines are poured and selection commentary is provided before each musical work, creating a multi-sensory experience that enhances both the auditory and gustatory elements.

Nancy Laturno, Mainly Mozart Co-Founder and CEO, explained the concept's appeal: It's not every day you get to enjoy a glass of wine inspired by the music you're hearing in the moment. We loved this idea, and the enthusiastic response from attendees encouraged us to expand the series this year — adding Saturday concerts and a fourth concertmaster. The wine selections are exceptional on their own, but paired with the music, they elevate both the flavor and the experience.

All performances will be hosted at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, with Saturday events beginning at 5:00 PM for wine reception and 6:00 PM for the wine pairing event, while Sunday performances start at 4:00 PM for reception and 5:00 PM for the main event. Tickets are available at https://www.mainlymozart.org/wine-series, with limited seating and early purchase recommended for this expanded series that brings together world-class musicians and curated wine selections in an innovative cultural experience.