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An Insider’s Guide to Taste of Vail

Ready to sip, savor and spend quality time with fine wine and food lovers? Try Taste of Vail, a foodie-centric crowd-pleasing event held every April — on and off Vail Mountain.

What began in 1990 to bring chefs and winemakers together to share their best bits and pours has grown into a spring spectacular that attracts guests from around the world. Today, Taste of Vail stands as a premier food and drink event in Colorado, and the breadth of its offerings get better year after year. Chefs come from around the globe to collaborate and share their most delicious creations with you in four signature events.

Taste of Vail Signature Events

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A person holds a stemless wineglass with two hands as another person pour in a sample of rose wine at the Taste of Vail event in Vail, Colorado.
Photo credit to Zach Mahone.

Debut of Rosé

Don your favorite petal-hued outfit because Taste of Vail kicks off with the Debut of Rosé. Explore a collection of more than 100 rosé varietals with tastings from 16 local restaurants and award-winning chefs. Wineries used to hold these exceptional bottles under the table to share only with special guests, but now they’re the stars of the show. So, follow the sound of strumming guitars all the way to the Lodge at Vail. There, let your palate lead the way as you pair your blush beverages with matching finger food. Previous years featured morsels like braised pork belly with sweet pepper jam, smoked green-chili grits, tangy pickled fennel and apple from Leonora at The Sebastian.

Debut of the Rosé Tickets

At a Taste of Vail outdoor event, attendees mingle and visit different food and wine booth for tasty sample. Snow-covered Vail mountains stand tall in the background.
Photo credit to Zach Mahone.

Après Tasting on the Streets of Vail

Savor the distinctive charm of each wine’s vintage at the Après Tasting on the Streets of Vail, where 23 chefs and 100 wineries converge in the heart of Vail Village to vie for the prestigious Best of Show title. Here, esteemed winemakers and winery owners personally pour and share the narratives behind their reds, whites and rosés, accentuating dry, fruity, spicy or herbaceous tasting notes as you sip. While you stroll, you may come across attendees like The Association of Port Wine Companies — headquartered in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Complement your wine selection with cross-cultural delicacies and soulful live music.

Après Tasting Tickets

At the mountaintop tasting event for Taste of Vail, revelers sample the wines and spirits of local and international craftsmen with a view of stunning Vail mountains in the background.
Photo credit to Zach Mahone.

Mountaintop Tasting

Here’s a perfect day for you: Wake up at a luxury Vail hotel, ski some sunny late-season laps, then head to the base for a gourmet food and wine sampling. The Mountaintop Tasting takes place at 10,350 feet above sea level, with more than 50 wineries serving up their take on sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, shiraz, zinfandel and beyond. Chat with winery owners from spots like Carboy, whose dark, oaky Teroldego blend was named “Best Wine in Colorado” two years in a row by Colorado Uncorked. And with a side of snow-capped summit vistas, your spicy ranch-raised charcuterie and crispy focaccia will taste even better. So, make your rounds to grab all the best bites and soak up the views of Gore Range.

Mountaintop Tasting Tickets

At the final event of Taste of Vail in Vail, Colorado, attendees check out different chef and winemaker stations to taste and judge delectable bites and savory sips before voting on their favorites.
Photo credit to Zach Mahone.

Best of the Best Grand Tasting

The Best of the Best Grand Tasting is the pinnacle event for Taste of Vail. Here, chefs and winemakers have the chance to present unexpected, unusual and undeniably delicious blends on the plate and in the glass. Put on your best mountain-formal attire — that means anything goes, really — and join the silent auction. Be sure to bid on some experiences around Vail, as well as fine vintages and exclusive travel. Sip wines, brews and spirits, paired with decadent spoonfuls of caviar, sizzling steaks and snappy, sweet-and-bitter chocolate truffles. Notable wineries in attendance include Epoch Estate Wines from California, whose stunning Block B syrah (also known as shiraz) evokes flavors of black licorice, currant, black cherry and pepper. Leave plenty of room to wander and get to know all the national and international makers in attendance — they’ll be eager to show you all the best tastes they have to offer.

Grand Tasting Tickets

Taste of Vail Tips

Pace Yourself: When you’re sampling at a high elevation, a few glasses feel a bit different than at sea level. To ensure you feel great all day, take your time as you sample and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Reserve Your Spot: This is a sought-after event, so be sure to get your tickets early to save your spot — you can get tickets to individual events or a package that includes all of them.

Dress Warmly: Snow still falls regularly in the mountains in April. Dress in warm layers and be ready for wintry conditions.

Come Prepared: Events take place rain or shine (and tickets are non-refundable), so bring clothing for snow, rain and wind. Sunscreen is also super helpful in our high-altitude town; the thinner air at higher altitudes means more direct rays.

Take The Bus: Not only does it help the environment and reduce parking stress, taking the free in-town bus is also a must if you’re planning to sip wine all day. Luckily, frequent buses run from Vail hotels to events throughout the village.

Year-Round Tastings in Vail

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Hero image courtesy of Zach Mahone