This summer, imbibe on high-end wines, spirits and beers amongst a beautiful mountain backdrop at the several tasting sessions throughout Vail Wine Classic. It is sure to be a weekend full of tasty bites and wine seminars from the state’s best master sommeliers, winemakers and other industry professionals.
The in-person festival runs Thursday through Saturday and offers an elevated experience for all ticket holders, but with limited capacities to manage crowds and allow for personal time with other wine enthusiasts and officials. Over the three-day soiree, attendees can expect a showcase of wine from around the world paired with decadent cuisine curated by local experts.
Vail Wine Classic is produced by Team Player Productions, the creators behind Breckenridge Wine Classic, Vail Craft Beer Classic and others.
“The Vail Wine Classic has a little something for everyone,” says Kristen Slater, event director of Team Player Productions. “The Grand Tasting is the crown jewel of the weekend, but if you’re looking for a more intimate wine adventure, we have paired lunches and dinners that provide a really unique tasting opportunity. For instance, this year we’ll be offering a gorgeous morning hike with a winemaker and sommelier followed by a paired lunch in one of Vail’s exceptional restaurants. The guest experience at a tasting like that can’t be achieved anywhere but Vail.”
The Vail Uncorked Dinner series is on the schedule Thursday evening to host several five-course paired dinners at local Vail restaurants. The Classic partners with Vail gems like Matsuhisa, La Tour and Root & Flower and pairs them with wineries from regions across the world for a bucket-list culinary experience. Each dinner has a thoughtful theme, ranging from French wine paired with French food, to pinot noirs from regions around the world. The full schedule of paired events can be found online.
The two-hour Grand Tasting sessions will be hosted at the Vail soccer field Friday and Saturday. The Grand Tastings will feature over 50 international wine portfolios featuring regions ranging from domestic to Chile, Australia, Spain, Italy and more. This sampling is all inclusive and features small bites that can be expertly paired with any of the exceptional wines at the Classic.
“Guests at this year’s Vail Wine Classic Grand Tasting can expect a full tour of wines from around the world, along with spirits, beer and seltzer,” Slater shares. “The sampling is outdoors and all-inclusive, and the wines are served alongside a full spread of food from local purveyors. What really makes the Grand Tasting special is the stunning mountainside it’s hosted on; you just can’t beat the views of Vail Valley with a glass of wine in your hand!”
The Vail Wine Classic is August 11 – 13, 2022. For a full schedule and to learn more, visit vailwineclassic.com. Tickets for various events, ranging from $65 to $225, are available online.
All photos by Karen Mills/Full Pour Media.
