California Dates created memorable moments throughout Palm Desert Food & Wine 2026, beginning with an immersive farm tour on March 19 that brought media and guests into the heart of date country.

The day offered a fascinating and educational look at date farming at Hadley Date Gardens, led by Albert Keck, followed by a visit to The Packhouse at Aziz Farms, hosted by Mark and Nicole Tadros. The Aziz Farms experience began with sparkling wine and an assortment of stuffed California Medjool dates before the tour, and concluded with an outstanding al fresco lunch surrounded by date palms.

“It’s always rewarding to give people a firsthand look at where California Dates are grown and how much care goes into producing them,” said Albert Keck, president of Hadley Date Gardens. “The Coachella Valley grows about 85 percent of the country’s dates, and there’s real excitement in seeing more people discover and appreciate this unique fruit from our region.”

Special guests, renowned chef and restaurateur Nancy Silverton and Cheese Master Afrim Pristine, joined the farm tour, adding to the energy and excitement of the day. Their presence helped underscore the appeal of California Dates as a versatile ingredient and a natural fit for creative culinary experiences.

“It was exciting to see chefs and local restaurants highlighting California Dates throughout the tastings and events,” said Mark Tadros of Aziz Farms. “That local connection — from our farms to the chefs and guests — really shows how naturally dates fit into today’s menus and culinary trends.”

The celebration continued at the two-day Grand Tastings, where California dates were featured in a variety of crowd-pleasing ways. Guests enjoyed tastings of California Medjool dates, California Date & Nut Energy Bites and California Date Passion Margaritas, which quickly became a favorite among attendees. From naturally sweet snacking to fresh culinary applications and handcrafted cocktails, the California Dates activation showcased the fruit’s versatility and broad appeal.

Together, the farm tour and grand tastings created a memorable weekend for California Dates — one rooted in agriculture, brought to life through thoughtful hospitality and warmly received by media, guests and festivalgoers alike.