The second annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival will feature a gastronomical menu of cooking classes, reserve wine tastings and a “grand event” at Embarcadero Park North featuring nearly 100 wineries and 50 restaurants doling out samples.

The three-day festival, presented by World of Wine Events, is scheduled for Nov.10-12.

“Last year’s festival was a great event, which successfully tapped into the food and wine community throughout San Diego County,” says World of Wine co-producer Michelle Metter. “We’ve already surpassed our expectations this year in terms of participation and ticket sales.”

The program kicks off on Nov. 10 and 11 with wine and cooking classes held at the new San Diego Wine & Culinary Center on Harbor Drive, the Westgate Hotel downtown and Macy’s School of Cooking in Mission Valley.

Among the classes are: “Secret Sensations of Santa Fe,” presented by chef Vikki Nulman of New Mexico; “Old World vs. New World Wines,” led by wine expert Paris Driggers; and “Desserts That Wow!” conducted by pastry chef Rudi Weider of the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. Other instructional classes, held day and night, cover everything from seafood and chocolate to champagne and wine blending.

Some of the best reserve wines on the market will be tasted and sold in a silent auction, which takes place on Nov. 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the Rooftop Starlight Terrace at the Westgate. The auction block will feature cases and magnums as well as chef dinners and theater tickets.

The festival concludes with the Grand Event on Nov. 12 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. “Attendees will get to taste more than 500 wines and sample some of the most exquisite dishes that our local chefs prepare in their kitchens every night,” says Metter.

According to co-organizer Ken Loyst, wine aficionados will take delight in the large number of family-owned boutique wineries from California that have come on board, such as Leal Winery from Hollister, Cinnabar from the Santa Cruz Mountains and McKeon Phillips Winery, which will introduce its new red blend called Leonardo. Additionally, the entire Westside Grand Crew from Paso Robles will be present. The “crew” represents about seven lauded wineries, including Tobin James, L’Aventure and Justin.

“Most of the wineries will bring more than one varietal,” says Loyst. “And there will be wines from Europe, Australia and South America as well.”

Interspersed among the wineries will be dozens of well-known restaurants serving up gourmet fare against an urban backdrop that encompasses views of the skyline, bay and Coronado Bridge. Metter notes that about 20 percent more eateries are taking part compared to last year.

Participating restaurants include Asia-Vous, Café Cerise, Blackhorse Grille, Molly’s, Region, Just Fabulous, Terra and more.

“We see a long history for this event in San Diego,” adds Metter. “We take great pains to highlight our local chefs, while bringing the national food and wine scene to the San Diego market.”

The cooking classes range from $40 to $65 per session. The silent auction costs $75. And tickets for the Grand Event are $85. Part of the proceeds will be given to the American Institute of Wine and Food, which furnishes culinary scholarships to aspiring chefs.

For more information and to obtain tickets, call (619) 342-7337 or visit the Web site at www.worldofwineevents.com.