Top Off Your Vail Wine Classic Experience with Expert-Led Wine Hikes, Finely Crafted Paired Dinners, and More
Photo courtesy of Ryan Cox Photography
Festival organizers announce add-on experiences to enhance your Vail Wine Classic weekend on August 7-10, 2025
GOLDEN, Colo. (April 15, 2025)- Team Player Productions has announced immersive add-on excursions that will take your Vail Wine Classic itinerary to the next level August 7-10. The Vail Wine Classic is where master winemakers and wine enthusiasts come together to enjoy high-end wines and valley views and experience events ranging from a mountainside grand tasting featuring 100+ wineries to a sunset showcase of 90+ rated wines at the Vail Nordic Club with stunning views of the Gore Range mountains. Now, tickets for five-course dinners and paired lunches at Vail’s top restaurants, as well as wine hikes that boast incredible views, are on sale now.
Enjoy an unforgettable five-course dinner led by acclaimed Chef Lucas Ardemagni at Chasing Rabbits, one of Vail’s most swoon-worthy venues that features psychedelic spaces, including a restaurant, library, and 13,000-square-foot rabbit hole, paired with DAOU Vineyard’s Reserve red wine portfolio. You can embark on a gorgeous 3-mile mountain trail hike among wildflowers while taking in the striking vistas of Vail Valley with Fox31 Meteorologist and Approachable Outdoors Founder Kylie Bearse. The hike concludes with a wine-paired lunch led by Sommelier and Fraîche Wine Brand Director Charles Miller at Ridge + River by Manor Vail. Finally, top off your wine weekend with a slopeside sparkling brunch at Ludwig's in the Sonnenalp Hotel as you review an unforgettable time at the Vail Wine Classic.
“While we always say our all-inclusive Grand Tastings are the crown jewel of the Vail Wine Classic, we suggest complementing your experience with thoughtfully curated lunch and dinner pairings that are designed to expand your palate when it comes to the complexity of food and wine,” says Vail Wine Classic Event Director Kristen Slater. “And for our wine-loving outdoor enthusiasts, you’ll definitely want to join on an expert-led hike on Vail mountain that delivers the ultimate views as well as a post-hike payoff with a paired lunch at one of Vail’s best restaurants.”
Paired experiences for the 2025 Vail 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.
Thursday, August 7:
The Vail Wine Classic Dinner Series (prices vary, dinner starts at 7 p.m.) will feature five-course dinners at Vail’s best restaurants. Fixed menus will be released this summer.
Better off Red Wine Dinner ($285 plus fees)
Savor the bold and refined flavors of Paso Robles with DAOU Vineyards, featuring a masterfully crafted five-course menu by Chasing Rabbits. Engage in insightful discussions led by DAOU wine experts, uncovering the artistry behind their exceptional reserve red wines. Each course is thoughtfully designed to complement and elevate the depth and complexity of the wines, creating an unforgettable culinary experienceBordeaux & Burgundy Reimagined Wine Dinner ($225 plus fees) Experience Bordeaux and Burgundy-style wines in a new and unique way with Stressed Vines Cellars. Indulge in an exquisite five-course dinner prepared by the culinary team at Ridge + River by Manor Vail while sipping on paired wines from California’s finest wine regions. As you savor each course, Stressed Vines Cellars will take you on a journey through the bold wine pairings, offering insights into these Old World-inspired wines, meticulously crafted with New World fruit
Friday, August 8:
Best Kept Secrets of the Wine World Lunch ($130 plus fees)
Uncover the best-kept secrets of wine at the Root + Flower with Chief Sommelier Kellie Martin of SommSchool, where you will discover hidden gems and new favorite wines. These are the wine pros' go-to wines; you’ll see why after lunch! Martin will take guests on a journey through rich and savory flavors, all while providing insight into each wine, its origins and unique characteristics, and what you need to know to drink like a pro. The Root + Flower culinary team will expertly showcase paired dishes for this three-course lunch perfectly paired with wines from Old Bridge Cellars's collection. 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Wines and Wildflowers Hike and Lunch ($145 plus fees)
Embark on an unforgettable journey through scenic mountain trails, accompanied by delectable wines, on a guided 3-mile hike at Wines and Wildflowers Hike and Lunch. Led by Kylie Bearse, Fox31 meteorologist and founder of Approachable Outdoors, explore Vail like never before. Marvel at the panoramic views along the hike before indulging in a 3-course paired lunch at Ridge + River, located at the Manor Vail, in collaboration with the boutique portfolio of Fraîche Wine Group. This event will highlight the dynamic, artisanal, and responsibly farmed wines that Fraîche Wine Group is known to deliver! Please allocate up to 90 minutes for the hike and an additional 90 minutes for the delightful lunch experience. 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 9:
Vino Ventures Hike and Lunch ($145 plus fees)
Traverse and taste your way through the Vail Gore Range with Vino Ventures Hike and Lunch. Join us for a 3-mile hike led by Kyle Bearse, Fox31 meteorologist and founder of Approachable Outdoors. Take in the breathtaking views before enjoying a 3-course paired lunch at Tavern on the Square in collaboration with Stringer Cellars. Sip and savor Sonoma’s finest. Please allocate up to 90 minutes for the hike and an additional 90 minutes for the delightful lunch experience. 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Old World vs. New World Wine Lunch ($140 plus fees)
Experience the intricacies and nuances of the world of wine at the Old World vs. New World Wine Lunch at the Swiss Chalet Restaurant, featuring expert insights from Kellie Martin of SommSchool. Each course will be paired with two wines, a curated selection of classic European regions and vibrant New World estates, perfectly paired with an unforgettable 3-course lunch by Swiss Chalet Restaurant. Enhance your wine knowledge as SommSchool guides you through the key differences in flavor profiles, winemaking techniques, and terroir. 12 to 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 10:
Slopeside Sparkling Brunch ($90 plus fees)
Finish your weekend in style with a relaxed Sunday brunch at Ludwig's in The Sonnenalp Hotel, Vail. Enjoy a sumptuous array of European-style breakfast dishes served in the charming Ludwig’s Stuberl room, embodying the signature Bavarian ambiance of Sonnenalp. Sip on a glass of Gruet sparkling wine while you indulge in a variety of delightful brunch offerings. It’s the perfect way to conclude your weekend at the Vail Wine Classic! 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tickets for all of the hikes and paired dinners, including Best of Fest and Grand Tastings, can be purchased here. A portion of proceeds of all ticket sales will go to Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance (VVMTA) and its mission to build trails and conserve the natural environment of Eagle County and public lands.
For more information about the Vail Wine Classic, visit VailWineClassic.com
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About Vail Wine Classic:
Vail Wine Classic brings wine and adventure enthusiasts together for an unparalleled weekend of outdoor wine tasting and live music. The festival takes place from Aug. 7-10, 2025, in stunning Vail, Colo. The event showcases wine from around the world during the Grand Tastings, educational seminars, paired wine dinners, and lifestyle wine events such as hikes followed by paired wine tastings. Vail Wine Classic is produced by Team Player Productions, the architects of Boulder Creek Festival, Breckenridge Wine Classic, and Vail Craft Beer Classic, among others. For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www.vailwineclassic.com, or follow @vailwineclassic on Instagram and Facebook.
About Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance
The Vail Wine Classic partners with the nonprofit organization, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance. The VVMTA is the leading advocate for soft surface trails in Eagle County, Colo. Their vision is the creation of a sustainable multi-use soft surface trail network connecting communities and neighborhoods from Vail Pass to Basalt. They promote stewardship of our public lands, sustainable trail building practices and a balance between recreation and conservation. The VVMTA maintains that trails contribute to the quality of life and economic vitality of the community. To learn more, visit their website or follow @vailmta on Instagram and Facebook.
About Discover Vail
Discover Vail in the spring, summer and fall. There’s no place like Vail for year-round recreation, outdoor pursuits and cultural experiences in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Nestled at the foot of Vail mountain just two hours west of Denver, Vail’s fresh air, rugged beauty and charming pedestrian villages await visitors. Discover quaint Bavarian villages where outdoor activities abound and the performing arts flourish. Matching the incredible winter mountain experience, Vail from May through October is characterized by a rich culinary scene, family activities, world-class events and everything in between.