Celebrate the 31st anniversary of Lake Tahoe’s most prestigious food, wine, spirit and brew festival in the outdoor splendor of Northstar California from Sept. 9 to 11 at the Autumn Food & Wine Festival. Celebrity chefs, hands-on cooking demonstrations, Farm to Tahoe dinner, winemaker luncheons and dinners, food and wine seminars, mixology and more culminating with the Culinary Competition and Grand Tasting.
Events take place in the Village at Northstar, unless otherwise noted. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tahoefoodandwine.com.
Courtesy Autumn Food & Wine
Friday | Sept. 9
Art of Mixology | 4-5 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
This entertaining educational experience will feature freshly cut herbs classic ingredients and infused liquors to create three unique cocktails paired with appetizers. Guest will enjoy this workshop al fresco at The Backyard Bar & BBQ. 21+ only. $55 in advance, $55 on day of event.
Backyard Barbeque Family Cookout | 5-8 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Enjoy a backyard cookout featuring traditional barbecue favorites and house-made desserts with live entertainment until 9 p.m. $39 adults; $20 ages 3 to 12.
Farm-to-Tahoe Dinner | 6-9 p.m.
Zephyr Lodge | Northstar California
The Northstar culinary team will create a delicious multi-course dining experience featuring a menu using fresh sustainable and locally sourced produce sure to please the palate. 21+ only. $100 advance, $115 on day of event.
After8eight | 8-11 p.m.
The Living Room | The Ritz-Carlton
Unwind and relax in The Living Room and try a variety of cocktails with music from After8eight.
Courtesy Autumn Food & Wine
Saturday, Sept. 10
Gourmet Marketplace Vendor Fair | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The open-air marketplace displays kitchen gadgets fine linens and clothing exquisite handmade jewelry, fine art, photography, spa products and much more.
BBQ & Brews Luncheon | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Accomplished grill master and celebrity Chef Jason Gronlund hosts a contagiously high-energy barbeque demonstration that will have spectators on the edges of their seats from the first spark of his grill. This seminar will teach participants to incorporate beer into mouthwatering recipes and grilling techniques culminating with the ultimate taste test as guests savor a delicious barbecue luncheon paired with a beer flight from Lagunitas Brewing Company. $55 advance, $65 on day of event.
Progressive Picnic | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Northstar invites guests to savor gourmet bites and craft brews in the open air, taking in the mountain’s natural beauty as they enjoy a trailside beer tasting with FiftyFifty, progressive picnic and guided hike through the Tahoe National Forest. For hikers of all levels. $65 advance, $75 on day of event.
Sips & Salutations | 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Start the day with a flow-based yoga class with Tahoe Yoga & Wellness followed by a guided wine tasting. $25 advance, $30 on day of event.
Mountain Kid’s Cook-Off Finals | Noon-1:15 p.m.
The Mountain Kid’s Cook-Off brought teams of 8- to 12-year-old culinary artists to Northstar where they competed in two rounds of cuisine challenges to qualify for the final phase of competition. The final two teams will compete head-to-head for the Champion title and will walk away with the Golden Whisk trophy.
Petra Winemaker Luncheon | Noon-2 p.m.
Petra owner and wine connoisseur Kali Kopley and Albatross Ridge Winery will host a delicious multicourse luncheon featuring award-winning wines. $60 advance, $70 on day of event.
Village Wine and Brew Walk | Noon-4 p.m.
The Village at Northstar will transform into a Mecca of delectable varietals as guests leisurely taste different wines and brews. 21+. $25 advance, $30 on day of event.
Kid’s Zone | Noon-4 p.m.
Complimentary face painting and balloon sculptures will be available, as well as arts & crafts projects and a play area.
Mixology Class | 1-2:15 p.m.
Join bartender Trever Lojka at Tavern 6330’ as he teaches guests how to craft the perfect cocktail. Guests will also taste delicious treats from Chef Chad Shrewsbury. $30 advance, $40 on day of event.
Vertical Mountainside Tasting | 1:30-4 p.m.
Join Northstar and Bonterra Organic Vineyards with a tasting starting in the Village for the first tasting. Then take the Big Springs Gondola to Mid-Mountain for a second tasting and light snacks. The third and final tasting will take place at Zephyr Lodge accessed via the Zephyr Gondola. $45 advance, $50 on day of event.
Cooking Demonstration | 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Featuring a cooking demonstration on the Village Stage. Free.
Tortilla & Salsa Making | 3:15-4 p.m.
Chef Lara Ritchie of Nothing to It Culinary Center will teach guests how to make handmade tortillas and mouth-watering salsa. $25 advance, $30 on day of event.
Courtesy Autumn Food & Wine
Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off | 4:45-6 p.m.
William Burns, Executive Chef of Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats, will face off against Brett Moseley, Executive Chef of Martis Camp, for the 2016 title of Blazing Pans Winner, as they prepare two courses of restaurant-quality dishes within 45 minutes. Each chef will have to incorporate a secret ingredient, which will be revealed just before the clock starts.
Tahoe Long Table Harvest Dinner | 6-9 p.m.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Long Table Harvest Dinner will feature a family-style dinner presentation of a special harvest menu prepared by Executive Chef Dwayne Edwards with six courses paired with wines from Pahlmeyer Winery. $135 advance, $145 day of event.
Charbay Distillery & Winery Release Party | 6:30-9 p.m.
Zephyr Lodge | Northstar California
The Charbay Annual Release Party invites guests to spend the evening on the mountain with the 13th-generation Master Distiller and renowned winemaker Marko Karakasevic. Guests will enjoy cocktails alongside hors d’oeuvres presented by culinary master Chef Jason Gronlund. 21+. $95 advance, $105 day of event.
Wine’d Down Movie Night | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Sit back, relax and sip wine during a complementary al fresco showing of the culinary classic and kid-approved, “Ratatouille.”
Tahoe Star Tour & Tin Barn Vineyards Wine Tasting | 8:15-10 p.m.
Northstar Cosmoarium | Castle Peak Parking Lot
Experience the wonder and awe of the dark skies during the final Tahoe Star Tour of the season. For this night only, guests will enjoy a guided wine tasting featuring varietals from Tin Barn Vineyards. Enjoy an informative astronomy presentation including a laser tour of the sky and telescopic viewing of the cosmos through Celestron telescopes. $40 adults, $20 kids.
Sunday, Sept. 11
Gourmet Marketplace Vendor Fair | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The open-air marketplace displays kitchen gadgets fine linens and clothing exquisite handmade jewelry, fine art, photography, spa products and much more.
Grand Tasting & Culinary Competition | 1-4 p.m.
An al fresco afternoon tasting features more than 25 top chefs in the region paired with 25 premium wines, sprits and brews in a judged food and wine pairing competition. $75 advance, $95 day of event.
