Taste of Vail Kickoff Dinner Ludwigs- Elevated Dining

Wednesday, April 1st, 6:30pm                                                    ⚲ Sonnenalp Hotel

Celebrate the start of Taste of Vail with an unforgettable kickoff dinner at the Sonnenalp Hotel. Join us on April 1st at 6:30pm in Ludwig’s Restaurant for an exclusive multi-course collaboration dinner featuring an extraordinary lineup of local chefs alongside acclaimed culinary talent from across the U.S. and around the world. Each course will be thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines from Peay Vineyards, ídola Wines, and ZD Wines, creating a dynamic and immersive dining experience to kick off the weekend’s festivities. Limited seating available. $175 Per Person (excludes tax & gratuity)

Arietta Wine Dinner at Makoto Vail, Modern Japanese Cuisine

Friday, April 3, 2026 - 7pm                                                                    ⚲ Makoto Vail

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Makoto Vail as we welcome the visionary proprietor behind Arietta Wines for an intimate Taste of Vail dinner. For this one night only, our chefs have created an exclusive multi‑course menu designed specifically for the event, each dish crafted to harmonize beautifully with a curated selection of Arietta’s Napa Valley wines. Experience rare pairings, inspired storytelling, and a culinary journey you won’t find on any other night.

Tavernetta Vail Dinner

Thursday, April 2, 2026 - 7pm                                                                                   ⚲ Tavernetta Vail

Join us for an exclusive culinary evening at Tavernetta Vail, where Executive Chef Ethan Diamant welcomes acclaimed guest Chef Vinnie Cimino of Cleveland’s celebrated restaurant Cordelia for a one‑night‑only dining experience. This intimate multi‑course dinner will highlight the shared passions and distinct styles of both chefs, Chef Ethan’s refined, ingredient‑driven Alpine Italian approach paired with Chef Vinnie’s bold, soulful Midwestern creativity. Together, they will craft a collaborative menu that showcases exceptional seasonal ingredients, thoughtful technique, and the warm hospitality Tavernetta is known for.

Guests can expect a memorable evening filled with inspired dishes, curated pairings, and the chance to engage with both chefs as they lead you through the story behind each course. Space is extremely limited. Reserve your seat at the table for a truly special night of food, flavor, and collaboration.

Southern Hemisphere: Estate Expression from Australia to South Africa

Friday, April 3rd, 3:30-4:30pm                                                             ⚲ Grandview, Lionshead

Join America’s Newest Master Sommelier, David Reuss for an immersive tasting journey through the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing the dynamic Australian and South African estates of Jackson Family Wines.

Jackson Family Wines: a family-owned collection of wineries dedicated to crafting expressive, high-quality wines from exceptional vineyards

Jackson Family Wines is a family-owned collection of wineries dedicated to crafting expressive, high-quality wines from exceptional vineyard sites around the world. Rooted in a commitment to sustainability and a deep respect for terroir, the Jackson family focuses on wines that reflect a true sense of place, from everyday favorites to world-class, estate-driven bottlings.

Legacy Winegrowing: Three Generations Garden Creek Vineyards

Friday, April 3rd, 6-7pm 
⚲Antlers, Vail 

Garden Creek Ranch Winery and Vineyard - Legacy Winegrowing: Three Generations & The Evolution of Quality and Innovation

Featuring Garden Creek with Warnelius Miller Family of Alexander Valley, Sonoma County

In the rolling hills of Alexander Valley, where morning fog yields to warm afternoons and cool evenings preserve tension and structure, Garden Creek Ranch stands as a living expression of continuity. This seminar explores what happens when stewardship spans generations, when land is not simply farmed, but understood, protected, and refined over time.

Mirabelle & Innumero Wine Dinner

Friday, April 3, 2026- 6:30pm
⚲Mirabelle Restaurant

Join us at Mirabelle Restaurant at Beaver Creek for an intimate, four-course Innumero Wines paired dinner in collaboration with Belgian Master Chef, Daniel Joly.

Minimal Intervention, Maximum Expression: The Natural Wine Expression

Friday, April 3rd, 11-12pm                                                          ⚲ Antlers at Vail

Explore the philosophy and flavor of natural wine in this guided tasting seminar

ídola wines - Explores the philosophy and flavor of natural wine in this guided tasting seminar featuring expressive wines made with minimal intervention and native fermentation. Learn how organic and biodynamic farming, low sulfur, and hands-off winemaking shape wines that are vibrant, textured, and alive

Art of Making Low Production Wines with Mon Premier and Lussier Wineries

Friday, April 3, 11-12pm                                                                           ⚲ Grandview Room, Lionshead

Join boutique winemakers G.W. Lussier of Lussier Wine Company and Mark Gamache of Mon Premier Wines for an immersive exploration of small-lot, handcrafted winemaking.

Through a guided tasting of six distinctive wines, Mark and G.W. will walk attendees through every stage of the winemaking journey, from vineyard selection to fermentation techniques, barrel aging decisions, blending, and bottling.

Mon Premier: Rooted in the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard, Mon Premier focuses on carefully selected sites farmed with meticulous attention to detail. Production is intentionally limited.

Lussier Wine Company: Lussier Wine Company is driven by a hands-on, cellar-forward philosophy. With extremely limited case production, every barrel is personally evaluated and blended with precision.

The Duckhorn Portfolio: Five Icons of California Wine

Saturday, April 4th, 11am-12pm                                                                     ⚲ Grandview, Lionshead

Experience five of California’s most celebrated wines in one rare tasting, from the legendary Duckhorn Vineyards Three Palms Merlot to the site-driven Pinot Noirs of Kosta Browne, Calera, and Goldeneye to the crisp, cool-climate Chardonnay of Sonoma-Cutrer. In partnership with Wine Spectator, this seminar will reveal how site, craft, and winemaking philosophy shape each expression, showcasing the shared pursuit of excellence that unites these celebrated estates.

The Tasting Lineup:

• Duckhorn Vineyards, Three Palms Merlot

• Kosta Browne, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

• Calera, Mt Harlan Pinot Noir

• Goldeneye, Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

• Sonoma-Cutrer, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

Syrah Speaks: Place, Precision, and Patience

Saturday, April 4th, 9:30am-10:30pm                                                                                   ⚲ Grandview, Lionshead

Pax Wines Presents:  Explore the philosophy and flavor of natural wine in this guided tasting seminar featuring five expressive wines made with minimal intervention and native fermentation. Learn how organic and biodynamic farming, low sulfur, and hands-off winemaking shape wines that are vibrant, textured, and alive

Few grape varieties articulate place as transparently, or as honestly, as Syrah. In the hands of Pax Mahle, Syrah becomes a lens through which soil, climate, and farming speak with clarity and restraint.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of Syrah through the philosophy of Pax Wines, a producer devoted to cool-climate vineyard sites across Northern California. With a focus on site expression, native fermentations, and patient élevage, Pax crafts Syrahs that are savory, structured, and deeply expressive of origin.

Grand Gala Tasting: Afternoon Tasting

Saturday, April 4th, 12:30-3:30pm                                                           ⚲ Vail Golf Club

Join us for an exquisite afternoon tasting featuring the finest alpine wines and delicacies. This Grand Gala event promises an unforgettable experience filled with elegance, flavor, and sophistication. Sample a selection of premium wines while indulging in gourmet bites specially curated to complement the flavors. Get ready to elevate your senses and immerse yourself in a world of luxury and indulgence.

This early seating offers a luxurious and unhurried tasting experience, allowing guests to engage directly with winemakers and chefs while enjoying lighter crowds and ample space. Savor hand-selected pours from premier wineries alongside beautifully crafted small plates from some of the most talented culinary minds in the industry.