March 14, 2016 7:27 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookOne of our signature events, Debut of Rosé, is non-doubt a fan favorite. What better way to welcome the Spring season than with the debut of 2015 Rosés? The Debut will have more than 100 Rosé varietals to try, and takes place on Wednesday night, making it the perfect kick-off to Taste of Vail weekend! Avon Liquor Buyer Cary Hogan is no stranger to Taste of Vail, or the Debut of Rosé, having attended and volunteered at the event since its inception. We talked to Cary about the world of Rosé and what keeps her coming back to the event year after year. Hi Cary, thanks for taking the time to chat with us about all things Rosé! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself before we dive in? I am a Colorado native and have lived in the mountains most of my life, raising 2 wonderful boys who have followed me into the wine world. I have been involved in the wine, liquor and beer industry for over 30 years. I became passionate about wine, not just for the unbelievable versatility the world offers, but I also love the history, culture, geography and geology that is involved in the world… View Article
March 1, 2016 10:37 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookTaste of Vail’s Mountain Top Tasting, with its sea of white tents spread before you, can be a bit overwhelming if you haven’t been before. While some would say the best advice is to just jump right in and start sampling from the more than 50 wineries on site, other longtime attendees are a bit more strategic about the experience, not wanting to miss out on all the fun bites and drinks from their favorite local restaurants and wineries. From pork sliders and tacos overflowing with just-grilled meats and fresh toppings, to creamy corn and crab chowder, followed by Guinness s’mores, cupcakes blanketed in frosting, fresh strawberries and drizzled chocolate, no matter what the menu holds, it’s always guaranteed to be tasty. We talked with a few Taste of Vail veterans to get their advice so that any novice or expert can ensure 2016 is the best Mountain Top Tasting to-date. Come early Mountain Top Tasting Director Chris Benson recommends arriving right when the gates open. The event is only two-and-a-half hours long and Benson recommends starting with the food first. “There are usually only 15 or so restaurants attending, so I would try to get food first,” he said…. View Article
February 12, 2016 6:59 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookTaste of Vail dives deep into the world of food and wine, with an array of seminars sure to pique anyone’s interests. From March 30th – April 3rd, Taste of Vail will host unique seminars ranging in subjects from cigars, to wines, to olive oil. You’ll walk out of each far more educated than you were before. Six Seminars are currently available for purchase on the website: Cigar and Spirits Sampling Thursday, March 31 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m Location: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Pool Cost: $60 Participants have an opportunity to sample handcrafted cigars with a variety of tobacco blends. What Puts the Pop inside of Sparkling Wine? Friday, April 1 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Location: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail Cost: $55 Sparkling wine is having its moment in the sun. Gone are the days when bottles of bubbly were saved for special occasions. Sparkling wines’ light and cleansing palates make them the perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes. “What Puts the Pop” educates participants on where the name “champagne” comes from, what is it with the bubbles and more. A must for anyone who loves to make toasts! Wake up… View Article
February 2, 2016 9:25 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookUnlike many industry wine events, Taste of Vail is unique in that the actual owner or winemaker is likely to be the smiling person pouring you a glass of wine at many of the booths, making the event feel more personal and surely making it more memorable. Here are three don’t-miss wineries confirmed for the 2016 Taste of Vail. ZD Wines: This family-owned and operated Napa Valley winery has been run by three generations of the deLeuze family. Two aerospace engineers —Norman deLeuze and Gino Zepponi — started the winery in 1969. It was the early pioneer days of the California wine industry and the men wanted to produce world-class chardonnay and pinot noir reminiscent of France’s renowned Burgundy wines. ZD stands for the initials of the founding partners’ last names as well as Zero Defects, an acronym for the quality control program during the space race that Norman and Gino were a part of while at AeroJet in Sacramento. This winery has a long history with the Taste of Vail, with three generations of the family having attended TOV. This year is no different as Associate winemaker Brandon deLeuze will attend. St. Innocent Winery: Mark Vlossak, who remains the winemaker… View Article
February 13, 2015 10:26 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookSince its inception in 1990, Taste of Vail has prided itself not only in celebrating the Vail lifestyle, but also the passion and commitment behind its attending wineries. This is just one reason why dozens of winemakers and owners visit Vail every spring to showcase their products. More than 50 wineries are expected to attend the 25th anniversary of Taste of Vail presented by Audi; a number of which are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Klinker Brick Winery is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. About the Founders: Steve and Lori represent the fifth generation of their family to grow grapes in Lodi. They started Klinker Brick Winery and produced their first vintage of old vine zinfandel in 2000. About the Winery: Klinker Bricks are highly prized bricks that grace many of the historical buildings in Lodi, including their home. Chosen by Craftsmen architects in the 1920’s for their distinctive qualities, including unique shapes and dark, rich color, they are denser and heavier in weight than regular bricks. Rich, deep color, enormous density, unique and distinctive features are the same qualities found in Klinker Brick’s Old Vine Zinfandel and Farrah Syrah. About the Wine: 2012 Klinker Brick Farrah Syrah Received 91 points and… View Article
March 20, 2014 10:50 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookLooking for organic wine varietals at this year’s Taste of Vail? Look no further. Paul Dolan Vineyards has been producing organic and biodynamic wines for more than eight years. With organically grown wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfadel, Paul Dolan Vineyards aims to create wines with a distinct sense of place. Located in the heart of Mendocino County, Northern California, Paul Dolan Vineyards is comprised of a secluded piece of land rich in biological diversity and unique microclimates. Paul Dolan Vineyards’ grapes are sourced from organic and biodynamic vineyards, and their balanced winemaking practices support each bottling’s expression of terroir for wines of unforgettable character. At Paul Dolan Vineyards, organic grape growing and wine making are approached as a partnership with nature instead of an exploitation of the land. This takes patience, requiring more time in the vineyard. There are no short cuts or quick fixes with organic farming, but the care invested creates healthy soil, balanced grapes, and elegant wines that are expressive of place. Look for Paul Dolan Vineyards at the 24th Annual Taste of Vail. For more information or to purchase tickets for Taste of Vail, visit www.tasteofvail.com.
March 10, 2014 2:43 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookWhen you first visit the Jeff Runquist Wine’s website and visit the awards page, you might notice the Runquist’s enormous track record of awards and accolades. Jeff Runquist Wines have been topping the charts since 2006, when Runquist purchased a five acre walnut orchard in Amador County, California. Already in 2014, Jeff Runquist Wines racked up more than a dozen bronze, silver, gold and even double gold medals from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Runquist produces wines from grapes grown throughout California. At last count he was planning to crush over twenty different varieties from nine different appellations for the 2013 vintage. Most of these wines are produced in very small limited quantities. However, there are four principle wines that the winery strives to have available throughout the year and they are: Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Barbera, and Petit Verdot. Taste of Vail is honored to host Jeff Runquist and his wife, Margie, to the 24th Annual Taste of Vail. Look for the award-winning Jeff Runquist Wines at Taste of Vail on April 2-5, 2014. To purchase tickets, please click here.
February 13, 2014 6:47 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookWith a revamped brand, Souverain begins 2014 with a fresh look that brings out its rich history. The new label depicts a crown, a cluster of grapes, the California golden bear and the thistle of Scotland, a tribute to winery founder Lee Stewart’s heritage. Historically known as a reliable, value-oriented Sonoma producer, the Souverain label not only begins the year with a reinvigorated look, but also a new range of North Coast wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. Those wines will join the Souverain classics such as the Winemaker’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley and Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley for the first time at the 24th Annual Taste of Vail food and wine festival. The history of Souverain began in the Napa Valley in 1944 when J. Leland “Lee” Stewart harvested his first crop of wine grapes from his Howell Mountain property in the northern part of the valley. At the suggestion of his young daughter, Stewart named his winery “Souverain” (taken from the French word for “sovereign” or “supreme”), and his Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings from the 1960s were considered by many to be just that. The winery moved to the… View Article
January 23, 2014 6:26 pm
Published by Taste Of Vail
GooglePinterestTwitterFacebookIn 1982, Julian Murua Entrena set out to revive the winery his father, Jose Murua, brought to life in the 1920’s in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. “Muriel” is the combination of the family name Murua and the town of Elciego. Known for its Riojan surroundings that produce some of the best terroir, the quaint village of Elciego houses the Bodegas Muriel cellars and has been woven into the name and history of the winery. Today, Julian and his son Javier run the winery with the mission to mend the winemaking traditions of the region with new technologies in order to make wines that express the best qualities of grapes coming from the Riojan vineyards. All Bodegas Muriel wines are 100% Tempranillo, the signature grape of the Rioja region. The unique micro-climate of the region is influenced by the Mediterranean, Continental and Atlantic climates, which helps the vines produce aromatic and elegant wines that have great potential to age. Come and try varietals produced by Bodegas Muriel at the 24th Annual Taste of Vail on April 2-5, 2014. Click here to purchase tickets.
