A new Lake Tahoe event will launch at the end of this summer—Tahoe Wine + Feast, a four-day celebration of wine, food and hospitality that will take place Sept. 18-21 at the state-of-the-art Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline.
Founded and produced by Tom Kees, a veteran of the wine industry and longtime event organizer, Tahoe Wine + Feast aims to bring the spirit of renowned festivals like Pebble Beach Food & Wine, and the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, Colo., to the Sierra, while offering a uniquely approachable and inclusive experience for both seasoned connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts.
“I’ve been working on this event for about two years,” said Kees, who serves as the event’s CEO. “Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it’s been missing a major, multi-day wine and food event. I wanted to create something that brings the best of wine country right to people’s backyard, without the intimidation factor that sometimes comes with these tastings.”
Kees, who splits his time between Fort Worth, Texas, and Zephyr Cove, has spent decades in the wine business—running a wine bar, hosting a radio show on wine and food, and building relationships with winemakers and chefs across the country. Inspired by friends and his own experiences at top culinary festivals, he set out to design an event that would be both grand in scale and welcoming in spirit.
The festival’s schedule is packed. More than 90 wineries will be pouring 300-plus wines from acclaimed regions including Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Oregon, Washington, Italy, France and Spain. Also on offer will be small plates from the region’s chefs, tastings from craft breweries, and high-end spirits. Educational seminars are included in the ticket price as well.
Highlights include:
Women of Wine (WOW) Brunch—Kicking off the festivities on Thursday, Sept. 18, this event celebrates female leaders in the wine industry.
VIP dinners and seminars—From Thursday through Saturday, industry experts will lead exclusive dinners and engaging seminars, including a sparkling wine seminar exploring Champagne, prosecco and cava.
Grand tastings—The centerpiece events on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will transform the Tahoe Blue Event Center arena into a vibrant tasting floor with dozens of wineries and 30 to 40 chefs serving gourmet bites.
VIP dinner with Chappellet Winery—This special evening will feature celebrated chef Jon Bonnell, who has cooked at the James Beard House in New York City.
Kees emphasized that the Tahoe Wine + Feast is designed to be accessible.
“I want people to have more fun around wine,” he said. “There’s too much intimidation that goes on. You don’t need to be a sommelier to enjoy great wine. I want people to walk out with a big smile on their face, having learned something and had a great time.”
The seminars were also conceived with accessibility in mind. “We’re not here to prescribe what you should drink,” Kees said. “We want to help people find what they like, ask questions, and just enjoy the experience.”
Organizers expect attendees from across the country, with ticket sales already reaching as far as New York, Florida and Texas.
Kees, who met his wife at a wine event 15 years ago, hopes the Tahoe Wine + Feast will become a beloved annual tradition.
“It’s about creating memories, discovering new favorites, and celebrating the best of what Lake Tahoe and the world of wine have to offer,” he said.
Tahoe Wine + Feast will take place Thursday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, at 75 U.S. Highway 50, in Stateline. Tickets start at $198 for a one-day grand-tasting pass, with two-day passes and VIP packages also available. For tickets and information, visit tahoewinefeast.com.