Celebrate the Season in Truckee-Tahoe!
Every now and then, life conspires for a moment of near perfection. Here in Truckee- Tahoe, we define perfection as blue skies, fabulous weather, fine wine, amazing creations by renowned chefs and the first traces of autumn.
Lake Tahoe’s Autumn Food and Wine Festival is always memorable. Kicking off on Labor Day weekend and continuing all week throughout North Lake Tahoe, including Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, Kings Beach, and the West Shore you’ll enjoy a grape stomp, classes, tastings, music, art, wine, and a grand finale featuring a Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting at Northstar California Resort! Make plans to come on up and enjoy this eight-day spectacular today, see more event information below.
And, while you are here, contact Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate, proudly affiliated with Chase International, and discuss the fantastic real estate opportunities available today! Contact Alison Elder at info@eldergrouptahoe.com or by phone, 530.582.8103. Visit our site for Truckee-Tahoe properties for sale at www.ElderGroupTahoeRealEstate.com. We’d love to hear from you!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
9/1~1:00pm-5:00pm
Bacon, Beer and Bluegrass
West Shore Café, Homewood, CA
Bacon, Beer+ Bluegrass invites all for a day of tasty bacon morsels paired with delicious microbrews. Sample five varieties of inventive bacon recipes prepared by classically trained, professional chefs; and pair each with five varieties of unique microbrews such as Redneck Beer. Dance all afternoon to Absynth Quintet’s spontaneous, fast-paced bluegrass sound with a sprinkle of funk. The Bacon, Beer + Bluegrass outdoor celebration is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on West Shore Café & Inn’s expansive lakefront lawn. . Five bacon and beer pairings are just $20. For additional information, visit www.WestShoreCafe.com or call 530.525.5200.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
9/2 ~ 2pm-5pm
Alpen Wine Fest
The Village at Squaw Valley
Wine tasting live music, silent auction, raffle and free live music, 2pm-5pm outdoors in the Village at Squaw Valley. Free live music. Benefits Can Do MS, a foundation providing wellness & education for people with Multiple Sclerosis. www.squaw.com 530-584-1000
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
9/3 ~ Noon – 8pm
Uncorked Wine Bar
The Village at Squaw Valley
Close your eyes, take a sniff, take a taste…what is that varietal??? In this fun and informative session, you will test and educate your palate in a tasting of three California varietals. Bring your friends and make an evening out of it! Please call 530-584-6090 for price and details.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
9/6 ~ 8am-1pm
Tahoe City Farmer’s Market
Commons Beach, Tahoe City, CA
Pristine local, farm fresh to you seasonal fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, handcrafted pantry items, and other inspirational menu making ingredients. Come meet the farmers, ranchers, fisherman, craftsmen and some downright characters!
www.foothillsfarmersmarket.com
9/6 ~ 9am-1pm
Chef Douglas Dale’s Farmer’s Market Tour/Shopping/and Hands-on Cooking
Farmer’s Market on Commons Beach, Tahoe City, CA and Wolfdale’s Tahoe City
When was the last time you went to a Farmer’s Market with a renowned Chef, learned about fall seasonal produce, meat, fish, cheese and flowers? Flowers? Yes, some of them are edible! And…when was the last time you took your fresh purchases to one of the most highly regarded restaurants on the West Coast, and cooked side by side in a professional kitchen with that Chef? If your answer is, “never” now is your chance to do just that. Shop, cook, learn and dine with master Chef Douglas Dale in a special event as unique as his cuisine. Space in this session is extremely limited, so reserve early. Call 530-583-5700 to reserve your seat. Please call 530-583-5700 to reserve your seat.
9/6 ~ Noon – 8pm
A Taste of California at Uncorked Wine Bar
Cobblestone Mall, Tahoe City, CA
Enjoy a delightful taste of California wine along with California handcrafted artisan cheese. Uncorked is the perfect location for this casual tasting of two glasses of wine with an artisanal cheese plate. Drop in or call 530-581-1106
9/6
Mt. Vernon Winemaker Dinner
Soule Domain Restaurant, Kings Beach, CA
Taste the exquisite pairings of Chef Charlie Soule’s offerings with the award winning wines of Mt. Vernon Winery, a previous medal winner at the Autumn Food & Wine Festival. For menu and wine details, please visit: www.SouleDomain.com or call 530-546-7529
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
9/7 ~ Time TBA
Tahoe City Grape Stomp
Presented by Uncorked, Tahoe City
Cobblestone Mall, Tahoe City CA
Definitely a highlight of festival week. Teams of stompers crush grapes the old world way with bare feet in wacky costumes, bathing suits and bikinis. With beautiful Lake Tahoe as the back drop this is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Each grape stomper receives a carefully chosen bottle of wine to enjoy during the festivities. After the stomp, jump in the Lake, rinse off and grab your friends for a delicious dinner at any of the amazing and eclectic restaurants in Tahoe City. Sign up with: www.visittahoecity.com or call 530-583-3348
9/7 ~ 5pm-7pm
Uncorked, Tahoe City
Cobblestone Mall, Tahoe Cit
In-store tasting with Pride Mountain Vineyards, Spring Mountain Appellation,Napa/Sonoma. For details please call Uncorked at 530-583-3348.
9/7
PlumpJack Café
Orin Swift Cellars Winery Dinner
Squaw Valley, CA
PlumpJack Cafe partners with California wine producers to offer an exciting dining experience in the mountains. Revisit an old favorite or experiment with a new wine you’ve never tried – paired with a delightful, multi-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Ben “Wyatt” Dufresne. Mingle with the featured winemaker and enjoy sips by the glass, flight or paired with the Chef’s tasting menu. Call or go online to make reservations. www.plumpjackcafe.com 530-583-1578
Food, Wine & Song
TOCCATA, Truckee & Glenshire
Friday, September 7
TOCCATA, Private Residence Performance in Truckee & Glenshire, As TOCCATA begins its summer music finale with Brahms Requiem, we are also delighted to host a special event at a private residence. This fine wine and tasting event will feature Elizabeth Pitcairn playing her legendary Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius Violin. For tickets and further information, call 787-602-2121 or visit www.toccatatahoe.com
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
AFW EVENTS AT NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA RESORT
9/8 ~ 11:00am-Noon
FREE
Chef Douglas Dale – Outdoor Grilling
Northstar California Resort
Chef Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s in Tahoe City will demonstrate various grilling techniques. He will demo the proper prep and grilling of numerous proteins: meat, fowl, seafood as well as vegetables and fruit. From marinades to strategic mis en place, every aspect of successful grilling will be shared including Japanese Robata Yaki, Argentine Asado and Southern BBQ. Please join us for this in depth exploration of outdoor cooking with a true master.
9/8 ~ 11:00am-12:00pm
FREE
Chef Mark Estee – The Art of Butchering – The Whole Hog
Northstar California Resort
“Don’t be afraid of your food” is what Chef Chris Consentino (Incanto, SF) told us recently. Local superstar Chef Mark Estee, owner of Campo in Reno, will show you how to break down a heritage hog into identifiable cuts. This seminar is fascinating and educational. If you have room in your freezer for a whole hog, you can save an incredible amount of money by butchering it yourself and making fresh pork sausage and curing your own bacon, to boot! Mark is an expert on all things pork and you will totally understand about local, sustainable and organic ingredients by the end of the day. Sampling of tasty pig parts!!!
9/8 ~ 11am-6pm
FREE
Gourmet Marketplace
Village Center, Northstar California Resort
Our scouts and secret shoppers have been searching out unique, handcrafted gourmet products, tools for the kitchen, professional chef’s knives, luxurious linens, premium hand crafted oils, vinegars, sauces, chocolates, pasta…the list goes on. Spend the afternoon browsing hand made apparel, jewelry, fine art, fine art photography from local and national artists. Christmas shopping starts here.
9/8 ~ NOON-4pm
$25
Wine and Brew Walk
Northstar California Resort
The fun begins with an amazing selection of wines from all over California. Featured AVA’s this year are the lip smackin’ wines from Paso Robles, Lodi, Lake County and Suisun Valley. Discover new wineries, varietals, incredible buys and cutting edge wines of the future. Our wine trail runs long and wide. Also featured is the thirst quenching Belgian style beer from Stella Artois, Leffe, Hoegaarden, Shock Top and Landshark. Each ticketholder receives a souvenir glass. Must be 21.
9/8 ~ NOON-1:15pm
$50
LoCA ~ Lodi Wine Showcase
Presented by the Wines of Lodi
Northstar California Resort
Lodi is predominately a red wine producer with approximately 66% of the acreage dedicated to red varieties. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay account for the lion’s share of the acreage; however with over 60 varieties in commercial production Lodi offers a vast portfolio of exciting wines. This is your opportunity to taste 10 wines from this appellation, some small plate pairings, meet and greet many of the winemakers and vintners who endeavor to make some of the regions most exciting and expressive wines.
9/8 ~ NOON – 1:15pm
FREE
Executive Chef Jason Gronlund – Cookin’ Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Globe trotting wunderkind and chef extraordinaire, Chef Jason, Senior Director of Culinary at Hard Rock Café International, returns for his third appearance at the Festival. When he is not in Japan, Dubai, Aruba, Australia, South America, London, India, Penang or any number of places around the world, he can be found in Florida whipping up the next amazing culinary creation for Hard Rock Cafés located in virtually every country in the world. His extremely entertaining teaching style and belly-laugh sense of humor paves the way for you to learn some amazing techniques and recipes.
9/8 ~ NOON-2:30pm
$60
Petra Restaurant & Pride Mountain Vineyards Winemaker Luncheon
Northstar California Resort
Petra, the newest, most unique local wine bar and Mediterranean tapas concept in the Village at Northstar is teaming up with the exceptional wines of Pride Mountain Vineyards, Spring Mountain Appellation, Napa/Sonoma County. A delicious four course tapas tasting menu paired with Pride Wine makes for a perfect fall afternoon repast. Very limited seating. Reservations
9/8 ~ 1:45-2:45pm
$65
Paso Robles Vintners Showcase
Presented by JP French, STANGER Vineyards and the Garagiste Winemakers
Northstar California Resort
STANGER Vineyards is located on the Westside of Paso Robles in the Templeton Gap. Their fossil-enriched, calcareous/shale soils sit above the valley floor at 1500 ft. above sea level. STANGER grapes are 100% estate grown and produces 800-1200 cases of Ultra-premium wines. Being a small producer makes STANGER a Garagiste-Style winery.
Who are the garagistes? Today’s innovative small-production winemakers don’t always work out of their garages as the name may suggest. But in order to qualify for admission to the Garagiste Movement, their production cannot exceed 1,200 cases annually. And unlike the plethora of boutique wineries that flourish throughout wine country everywhere, the Garagistes are committed to producing super-premium award-winning products for a limited clientele. We present five Garagiste Wineries and light appetizers. For more information on the Movement visit www.PasoGaragiste.com
9/8 ~ 1:15-2:15pm
$15
Chef Lara Ritchie – Hands on Cooking – Taco Time
Northstar California Resort
In our opinion, you cannot eat too much Mexican food. Tacos are quick, inexpensive and simple to make. Even the kids can make them! Join Chef Lara Ritchie, owner of Northing To it Culinary School in Reno, for her annual appearance at the Festival for this is hands-on cooking class for the whole family, including kids age 9 and older. You make it, then devour it!
9/8 ~ 1:30-2:30pm
Mixology at Manzanita, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Accessible by Gondola from Northstar California Resort
Ms.Camber Lay from Parallel 37 at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, is the featured mixologist in the first mixology seminar held during Autumn Food and Wine at Manzanita Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe. Jump on the gondola for a scenic ride up to The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe at mid-mountain, and enjoy this tasty, informative and entertaining seminar. Please contact Manzanita directly for tickets at 530-562-3050. Must be 21 years of age.
9/8 ~1:30-2:30pm
$45
Susiology 101, Hands-On Sushi Rolling and Sake Pairing
Mikuni Sushi & Japanese Restaurant
Chef Taro Arai
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn sushi secrets. Sushiology is a hands-on cooking class where participants learn how to make perfect sushi rice, techniques and basic ingredients for making classic California sushi—Mikuni-style with sake pairings. Led by Sushi Master Taro Arai.
9/8 ~ 2:15-3:15pm
FREE
Cooking with Chef Scott Yorkey
Northstar California Resort
Chef Scott, Executive Chef from Jake’s on the Lake, Tahoe City, is one of the nicest guys in the business and you’ll see why at his fun and informative cooking demo. His culinary talent and seafood expertise will become very evident as he takes you from handling, storing, prep, cooking, plating and presentation of all things seafood. You’ll also witness first hand why Jakes on the Lake is one of the top restaurants on the North Shore.
9/8 ~ 2:45pm-4:00pm
$45
Belgian Brews and Cheese Pairing
Northstar California Resort
Laura Werlin, Renowned Cheese Expert and Cookbook Author
Laura is one of the country’s foremost authorities on cheese. She is the award-winning author of five books on the subject and is in great demand for television and radio appearances. In this unusual pairing seminar, Laura will pair Belgian style and IPA style brews with a variety of domestic cheese. A new approach to entertaining your friends and family. Not just for men! Women drink beer too!
9/8 ~ 2:45-3:45pm
$50
Chocoholics Anonymous ~ Chocolate Bar Restaurant
Northstar California Resort
Chocoholics unite! Got a secret passion for Chocolate? Join other cacao-centric aficionados in this delightful and refreshing seminar at Chocolate Bar. A chocolate presentation with a hands-on approach will give each guest the “how to” on making our award winning truffles as well as making your own to bring home to share or eat all at once!! Your experience is accompanied by a chocolate martini to indulge in as you enjoy chocolate in the great outdoors! Very limited seating. Must be 21 to attend.
9/8 ~ 2:45-3:45pm
$75
2012 Pacific Oyster and Wine Pairing Winners
Jon Rowley, Taylor Shellfish Farms
Northstar California Resort
Traditionally, restaurateurs have looked to France for wines like Muscadet and Chablis to accompany oysters on the half shell. There aren’t many wines that work with oysters but when one does, it’s a beautiful thing. During the 2012 Annual Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition, 25 top food and wine experts blind tasted each wine with at least one oyster and then rated the “bliss factor.” Ten West Coast wines were selected for the prestigious “Oyster Awards” You will taste the winners of the wine pairing competition, and the freshest, pristine and mouth-watering oysters from Taylor Shellfish Farms in the Pacific Northwest and BC. This will sell-out, very limited seating.
9/8 ~ 3:15-4:15pm
$15
Chef Lara Ritchie – Hands on Cooking – Taco Time
Northstar California Resort
In our opinion, you cannot eat too much Mexican food. Tacos are quick, inexpensive and simple to make. Even the kids can make them! Join Chef Lara Ritchie, owner of Northing To it Culinary School in Reno, for her annual appearance at the Festival for this is hands-on cooking class for the whole family, including kids age 9 and older. You make it, then devour it!
9/8 ~ 4:15-5:45pm
$15
Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cookoff©
Champion Chef Sean Conry VS Chef Elsa Corrigan
Northstar California Resort
Let the good times roll! The signature event of Saturday’s schedule, Blazing Pans has become an all out cooking brawl between the top chef’s of our region. Reigning Champion, Chef Conry with Longboards Bar & Grill at Plumas Pines, battles with the very popular and talented Chef Elsa Corrigan from Mamasake Shushi, the Village at Squaw Valley. Both are tough competitors and this should be an epic showdown. The winner receives an award, bragging rights, and an appearance at next year’s festival. Included in the ticket price is an ice cold cocktail from Charbay Artisan Winery & Distillery, presented by Marko and Jenni Karakasevic. Costumes, cow bells, whistles, noisemakers, bikinis, board shorts and your best yodel will fire up the contestants. This will sell out. Don’t be late!
9/8 ~ 5:45-7:45pm
$75
Charbay Annual Release Party – Featuring Tequila Tapatio
Marko Karakasevic – Marko K. Spirits
Executive Chef Jason Gronlund – Sr. Director of Culinary, Hard Rock Café International
Northstar California Resort
Something startling happened in Mexico this year! Tequila Tapatio has been distilled and distributed only in Mexico since 1937. After taking a tour of La Alteña Distillery, the Karakasevic’s had questions about the distillation process of tequila, a spirit that had never been produced by any of its 13 generations of master distillers. This ultimately led to a friendship between the two families and a project that resulted in Charbay’s own tequila, the first tequila to be personally hand-distilled by an American in Mexico and an amazing blanco tequila in its own right. Today, that original project has opened the door for Charbay to become the exclusive U.S. importer/distributor of Tequila Tapatio.
This tequila tasting with food pairings by Chef Gronlund is sure to be mind blowing! And if you’ve attended the Charbay Annual Release Parties in the past, you know how much fun can be had meeting Marko, Jenni, Chef Gronlund, new friends, sharing the camaraderie, Marko’s stories and exploring the wonderful world of spirits. Each ticket includes a one liter bottle of Tequila Tapatio. Must be 21 years of age to participate.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 ~ EVENING
9/8 ~ 5:00pm-7:30pm
Master Cooking Class at Manzanita Restaurant
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe (Northstar California)
(Accessible by gondola from Northstar)
Experience the taste of style and share your passion for cooking in this informative cooking class presented by the chef de cuisine of Manzanita designed to indulge your senses and tempt your palate while increasing your culinary knowledge. Work alongside a professional chef in the open kitchen in Manzanita to learn cooking techniques that will make you a “star chef” in your own kitchen. Ticket price includes a three-course dinner. Very limited seating. Please call for more information & reservations: 530-562-3000 or visit www.RitzCarlton.com/LakeTahoe
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
AFW EVENTS AT NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA RESORT
The Village at Northstar
9/9 ~ 11am-4pm
Village Central and Overlook Pavilion at Northstar California
Gourmet Marketplace Vendor Fair
Northstar California Resort
Each Festival we strive to bring you the finest gourmet products, handcrafted goods, unique artwork and sculpture, jewelry, cutting edge wineries and more. The “wow” factor certainly comes into play with the vast array of products, and the enthusiasm of our vendors is infectious.
The Gourmet Marketplace entry is free. A ticket must be purchased for the Grand Tasting.
9/9 ~ 1pm-4pm
$75 through Sept 7
$95 thereafter
CULINARY COMPETITION AND GRAND TASTING
This competition is the only one that we know of in the US. We invite over 30 of our very finest restaurants, caterers and chefs to develop a dish that perfectly pairs with a single varietal and vintage of wine/beer/spirits. These pairings are judged by a panel of professional food and beverage industry experts. It is a blind judging where the panel does not know the name of the restaurant and they are only told the varietal of the wine. There have been some magnificent pairings over the years. The judges then vote for the Judges Choice Awards.
THEN…you will have the opportunity to sample all the food and wine/brew/spirits pairings in an afternoon filled with ultra premium wines, brews, fantastic food, live music and the company of good friends.
A vibrant silent auction features travel getaways, large format bottles of very collectible wines, the wine barrel of wine filled with every single bottle of wine that is poured at the event…sure to enhance any cellar, gift certificates, overnight stays, merchandise and some surprises.
The Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting has become the epic food and wine event in the Sierra and is the perfect welcome to the fall season. Held outdoors at the Village at Northstar, the days are sunny and warm, and evenings crisp and cool. Plan to spend the weekend or the week. For complete lodging information please visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com/lodging Special lodging rates are available at www.Northstarattahoe.com
EVENING:
Thunderbird Lodge Winemaker Dinner
Featuring Martin Estate Winery, and cuisine by Chef Rick Koplau of the Hyatt Regency, Lake Tahoe. Tickets: www.thunderbirdtahoe.org
Have any local or real estate questions? We’re here to help – call Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate at 530.582.8103. We look forward to hearing from you!
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