Featured Festival: Taste of Vail (April 2-5, 2014)

I am very excited to feature the  24^th  Annual Taste of Vail  today. Last month I got to sit down with Chef Paul Ferzacca, owner of  La Tour Restaurant & Bar in Vail. Chef Ferzacca is also deeply involved with the production of Taste of Vail, and his passion for this event is palpable. After our sit down, I was more excited than ever to attend this event in April.

Taste of Vail is different from many other food and wine events because festivalgoers get face-to-face time with the wine makers and chefs. Chef Ferzacca says that some longtime festival attendees have become friends with winemakers and have even received personal invites to villas in California and beyond. This isn’t a guarantee, but it is this type of intimate experience that makes Taste of Vail so special.

I am very excited to feature the  24^th  Annual Taste of Vail  today. Last month I got to sit down with Chef Paul Ferzacca, owner of  La Tour Restaurant & Bar in Vail. Chef Ferzacca is also deeply involved with the production of Taste of Vail, and his passion for this event is palpable. After our sit down, I was more excited than ever to attend this event in April.

Taste of Vail is different from many other food and wine events because festivalgoers get face-to-face time with the wine makers and chefs. Chef Ferzacca says that some longtime festival attendees have become friends with winemakers and have even received personal invites to villas in California and beyond. This isn’t a guarantee, but it is this type of intimate experience that makes Taste of Vail so special.

I know that I feel extra special when I attend an event where I get to meet the people who are genuinely invested in what they do; the craft brewers, the wine makers, the chefs, the artists. It’s an opportunity to feel like and insider, and who doesn’t want to be an insider?

Taste of Vail is a 4-day affair involving food, wine and fun. There are four signature events at the festival. On Wednesday afternoon there’s a new event called  The 2013 Debut of Rosé. That’s right folks, rosé is no longer your grandmother’s wine. This pink drink is experiencing a renaissance and you can learn all about it at this event.

The Thursday afternoon signature event was championed by Chef Ferzacca. He wanted to create a laid-back, family-friendly Taste of Vail event and that’s how the  Colorado Lamb Cook-off  was the born. This lovely afternoon takes place outside and has free admission. You can buy $4 tickets to taste a variety of lamb dishes created by Vail Valley’s finest chefs, and the region has no shortage of amazing chefs. The theme is Life Beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Merlot, and featured varietals will include Reislings, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Zinfandel.

The  Mountain Top Picnic  on Friday is the event I’m most looking forward to this year. You will access the event via Eagle-Bahn Express Gondola, and experience an amazing 10,350 feet above sea level view along with a gourmet feast. The two hour event is just $135 and includes your trip on the gondola. That’s not a bad price when you consider that the views truly are priceless and the day will last a lifetime in your memory.

The  Grand Tasting and Auction  is the premiere signature event at Taste of Vail and takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday evening, so you can spend the day on the slope and then spend your night tasting wine and indulging in culinary delights.

In addition the signature events, Taste of Vail offers special seminars, wine dinners and a chance to meet special guests.  Taste of Vail takes place April 2-5, 2014. Learn more and purchase your tickets at  TasteofVail.com. You can also join Taste of Vail  on Facebook here, and  follow them on Twitter. I can’t wait to see you there!

 

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