Best of Fest Joins Breckenridge Wine Classic Lineup
Photo courtesy of Ryan Cox Photography
One of the world’s highest-altitude wine festivals celebrates its 9th anniversary in August
BRECKENRIDGE (May 9, 2024) - Tickets for Breckenridge Wine Classic’s unique experiences are on sale today, including high-altitude hikes paired with somm-curated lunches, food-and-beverage-focused adventures with beloved Colorado personalities and sommeliers, as well as a brand new event to the wine classic: Best of Fest.
Best of Fest ($225 plus fees) pours the most high-end wines of the entire Classic during an all-inclusive tasting paired with small bites. Wineries select their finest, most exclusive bottles for guests to sip, swirl and savor. Wines that make the cut for this premier event average over $80 per bottle or are 90+ point rated. The Best of Fest wine tasting on August 23 is the can't-miss event of the weekend for wine enthusiasts.
“We’ve had immense success with Best of Fest at both Vail Wine Classic and Park City Wine Festival as more and more, wine festival visitors want to have an even more elevated experience – alongside the extremely approachable festival – and sip exclusively the highest rated wines in a more intimate setting,” said Breckenridge Wine Classic Festival Events and Marketing Director Kristen Slater. “In every market every year, even almost 10 years later, we’re still introducing new concepts that are meant to appeal to each area and their guests’ distinct and specific wants.”
The Breckenridge Wine Classic, produced by Colorado-based Team Player Productions, is a three-day festival anchored by the two-day Grand Tasting. In addition to unique seminars, activations and wine dinners planned by world-class sommeliers, more than 100 wines, spirits, beers, and epicurean purveyors descend into Breckenridge at this ultimate food, wine, and sensory experience.
Experiences for the 2024 Breckenridge Wine Classic are included below. Fixed menus will be released this summer. All events, prices, personalities, performances, venues, dates and times are subject to change with reasonable notice. Check out the schedule for more information.
The 2024 Breckenridge Wine Classic, celebrating its 9th year, includes:
The Grand Tasting, Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24: The Classic’s Grand Tasting features an impressive selection of hundreds of domestic and international wines, premium craft beer and spirits, alongside live music and endless small bites. In an effort to provide a truly intimate tasting experience for patrons, there will be three sessions of the Grand Tasting. Each session features the same beverages and samples. General admission tickets are $104, and early access tickets are $124, which includes early access 30 minutes prior to general admission and a commemorative glass.
Pairings & Seminars, all weekend: Ticketed wine experiences play into a variety of interests and activities. You could take a hike with beloved Colorado meteorologist and founder of Approachable Outdoors, Kylie Bearse followed by a paired lunch at a standout Breckenridge restaurant, learn the basics of wine pairing with SommSchool Founder Kellie Martin, and more.
Wine dinners, Thursday, Aug. 22: Expertly curated wine dinners and paired lunches will be held at local top dining restaurants across Breckenridge with Master Sommeliers and winemakers. Restaurants so far include Carboy Winery, Rootstalk and Hearthstone Restaurant.
Thursday, August 22
Palisade Peach Pairings Dinner (7:00pm-9:30pm): Sip, savor, and experience the playful harmony of a peach-infused 5-course feast that perfectly complements Carboy Winery’s curated wine selections. It's a deliciously elevated dining adventure you won't want to miss!($185 plus fees)
California Classics Wine Dinner (7:00pm-9:30pm): Step into the radiant ambiance of California’s sun-kissed landscapes at the Hearthstone restaurant in Breckenridge. Their culinary team will present an artfully crafted five course menu paired with a selection of California wines from the Alexander Valley Vineyard portfolio.($225 plus fees)
Texas to Table Wine Dinner (7:00pm-9:30pm): Join us for this captivating journey from Texas to table, where every sip tells a tale of terroir and craftsmanship presented by William Chris Vineyards. Each wine will be thoughtfully paired by the culinary team at Spencer’s restaurant to showcase the synergy between vineyard and table with this 5-course dinner. ($185 plus fees)
Sommelier Selections Wine Dinner (7:00pm-9:30pm): Join Sommschool’s Kellie Martin as she takes you on a captivating journey of fine wines and perfect pairings, artfully crafted by Rootstalk’s Executive Chef and James Beard nominee, Chef Matt Vawter. ($275 plus fees)
Friday, August 23
Champagne Dreams Wine Brunch (10:30am-12:00pm): From crisp prosecco to elegant champagne, indulge in Taittinger’s finest paired with an array of gourmet brunch bites curated by the Blue River Bistro culinary team to be paired perfectly with an exquisite selection of sparkling wines. ($115 plus fees)
Willamette Wonders Wine Lunch (12:00pm-1:30pm): Embark on an enchanting afternoon celebrating the renowned terroir and exquisite flavors of this esteemed wine region led by expert sommelier, and founder of SommSchool, Kellie Martin. Indulge in a curated 3-course menu presented by the culinary team at Beaver Run Resort expertly paired with exceptional Willamette Valley wines, each a testament to the region's winemaking master. ($120 plus fees)
Corks and Trails Wine Lunch & Hike (10:00am-1:30pm): Join us where adventure meets exquisite wines. Embark on a 3 mile guided hike through the stunning trails of Breckenridge’s Tenmile Range, offering breathtaking panoramas at every turn. After immersing yourself in nature's splendor, indulge in a delectable 3-course paired lunch at Gravity Haus' Cabin Juice restaurant, in collaboration with J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. ($140 plus fees)
Saturday, August 25
Vino and Vita Italian Wine Lunch (12:00pm-1:30pm): Indulge in the tantalizing flavors of one of Italy’s most acclaimed wine-growing regions paired to perfection in collaboration with Chef Todd Nelson at Giampietro Pasta and Pizzeria. Master Sommelier Damon Ornowski and Marco Canclini, wine expert of Tellitalia Imports, will be your guides through the rich flavor profiles and heritage of Piedmont in this premium selection of 6 Italian wines. ($145 plus fees)
Pour and Explore Wine Hike and Lunch (10:00am-1:30pm) : Experience the breathtaking beauty of Breckenridge's Tenmile Range on a guided 3-mile hike led by Kylie Bearse, Fox31 meteorologist and founder of The Approachable Outdoors. Following your adventure, indulge in a delightful three-course wine-paired lunch at Gravity Haus' Cabin Juice restaurant. Jackson Family Winery invites you to savor their meticulously crafted portfolio, showcasing their selection of high altitude wines. ($140 plus fees)
South American Sips Wine Lunch (12:00pm-1:30pm): Sip and swirl your way through South America to the wine destination of Argentina with the team at Piattelli Vineyards. Meanwhile, the culinary team at Beaver Run Resort will curate a vibrant and perfectly paired 3-course lunch, only using the freshest locally sourced ingredients. ($115 plus fees)
Volunteer applications will open in April.
Media interested in attending, please fill out the media credential form.
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About Breckenridge Wine Classic
The Breckenridge Wine Classic pairs wine with adventure, from August 22-24, 2024. The Rocky Mountain region’s premier wine and food festival, the Breckenridge Wine Classic showcases wines from around the world throughout a weekend of tastings, seminars and demonstrations created with food and wine in mind. Full-fledged foodies and everyday wine drinkers alike are invited to join master sommeliers and culinary greats in beautiful Breckenridge, Colo. to enjoy more than 100 different wine, beer and spirit samples. The Breckenridge Wine Classic is produced by Team Player Productions, the architects of the Vail Craft Beer Classic and Denver Burger Battle, among others. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit https://breckenridgewineclassic.com or follow @BreckWineClassic on Instagram and @BreckenridgeWineClassic on Facebook.
About Team Player Productions
Founded more than 25 years ago in Denver, Team Player Productions (TPP) has produced and managed more than 400 events around the country, raising more than $2 million for its various nonprofit partners. TPP has created and continues to produce beloved annual events including Vail Wine Classic, Breckenridge Wine Classic and Vail Craft Beer Classic, and adopted others, such as Denver Burger Battle and Boulder Creek Festival. The company was also the originator of events including Taste of Fort Collins, Steamboat Wine Festival and Park City Food & Wine Classic. TPP consults and produces events for a portfolio of clients as well, such as Goose Island Beer Co., Blue Point Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Red Bull, City of Centennial, Anheuser-Busch, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and City of Littleton. For more information, visit TPPEvents.com, or follow @TPPEvents on Facebook and @TeamPlayerProductions on Instagram.