2021 Festival Schedule
Thursday, September 23
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – WSET Level 1 Course Colorado Mountain College
WSET Level 1 Training, Provided by the Wine Education Institute, a WSET Approved Program Provider
Kick off the weekend with a beginner level introduction to wine suitable for those starting a wine career or pursuing an interest in wine.
For individuals new to wine study, this qualification provides a hands-on introduction to the world of wine. You’ll explore the wine types and styles of wine through sight, smell and taste, while also gaining the basic skills to describe wines accurately and make food and wine pairings. Upon successful completion you will receive a WSET certification and lapel pin.
There are 3 ways to participate in this experience:
All Day Course: Join for the full day class from 9am-4pm.
Online Course + Tasting: Complete the lecture online in advance and join for the classroom lecture and tasting from 12pm-4pm.
Tasting Only: Not ready for the full class? Join just for the tasting and see what’s it’s all about from 2pm-4pm.
12:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Fly Fishing Marabou Ranch
Our most intimate experience of the weekend, enjoy an afternoon fishing on the private waters of Marabou Ranch with a professional guide.
The experience begins with a wine tasting of Italian White wines and limited release selections from the Beam Suntory portfolio at the Marabou Lodge. Participants will be outfitted by Marabou’s experienced staff and enjoy two-three hours fishing on private stretches of the famous Elk River. Marabou holds a naturally diverse fishery that caters to all levels.
After fishing, participants will enjoy a Barolo tasting with Jon Schlegel of Attimo Wine Group and a charcuterie spread from Laura the Butcher of MEATBAR. The Package includes a Coravin Pivot and 2 bottles of wine.
They say a day spent on the Elk River, is not just a day of fishing, it’s a day of catching.
5:00 PM – Drinks with Dana Location TBD
James Beard nominated chef Dana Rodriguez earned her nickname Loca (meaning “crazy” in Spanish) over the years as she worked her way up in restaurants. Best known for her restaurants “Work & Class” and the extremely fun “Super Mega Bien”, Dana used her extensive culinary skills and knowledge of mezcals and tequilas to develop the Doña Loca brand of spirits. Spend the evening sipping tequila and mezcal with Loca herself.
6:00 PM – Alpine Mountain Ranch Chef Dinner Alpine Mountain Ranch
Join us for this incredible dinner in the barn at Alpine Mountain Ranch. Chef Kent Hall will be creating a traditional Agentine asado, “asado criollo”, accompanied by the Argentinean wine portfolio, Piattelli.
SOLD OUT
7:00 PM – Yampa Valley Kitchen Chef Dinner Yampa Valley Kitchen
Chef Joe Campbell of Besame, Mambo and Yampa Valley Kitchen will join Chef Matt Vawter of the Breckenridge restaurant Rootstalk for a memorable evening.
SOLD OUT
7:00 PM – Primrose Chef Dinner Primrose
Join Local Chef Collin Kelly at his new restaurant Primrose for a whole animal dinner. Chef Collin will purchase a locally raised steer at the Route County 4H auction and each chef will prepare a cut of the animal to utilize for the dinner. Chef Kelly will be joined by Tristen Epps Chef De Cuisine at Red Rooster Overtown in Miami.
Friday, September 24
12:00 PM – Sherry Seminar Location TBD
If you enjoy the occasional dirty martini, then you might want to learn about and taste Sherry. Join Rioja’s Beth Gruitch in this seminar that examines the history and styles of a classic fortified wine from Andalusia Spain.
1:30 PM – Taste like a Pro Jace Romick Gallery
Join Barney Treadway founder of Bitto Bistro Wine Bar for a fun and informative workshop that will demystify the world of analytical wine tasting. Unlock your palate’s ability by understanding the technical methods used in identifying aromas and flavors in wine, learn how to decipher the structure of wines, and become adept at identifying a wine’s flaws. Learn how to blind taste wines like a pro.
2:00 PM – Wines of Tuscany Location TBD
For centuries Tuscany has been known for its wine and culture. Long before Italy became a country, the city-states of Florence and Siena were dominant players throughout Europe. Explore one of the most fascinating and renowned wine-growing areas in Italy.
The workshop will investigate the history, the romance, the landscape, and the viticulture of Italy’s most famous wine region. Participants will taste a variety of Tuscan wines, while learning about this magnificent region, including the famous legend of Chianti Classico and the black rooster.
3:00 PM – The Art of the Old Fashioned Seminar – Presented by Beam Suntory Truffle Pig
Truffle Pig Beverage Director, Mark Stanford, will examine the history and components of the classic cocktail the Old Fashioned. Participants will learn to craft Old Fashioned cocktails with Toki Japanese Whiskey, with Tesori Single Barrel select Tequila, and the Truffle Pig’s famous and award winning Smoked Old Fashioned.
SOLD OUT
3:00 PM – Wine and Cheese – with Blanchard Family Wines and Haystack Mountain Creamery Elevated at Torian Plum
Probably the most popular pairing out there – wine and cheese but do you know why? Cheese – which is customarily high in fat – coats the mouth and blocks taste receptors to beverages. The acidity and sweetness of a well-paired wine cuts through the creamy barrier to unlock a fuller flavor on the palate and create an excellent mouthfeel. Test the theory for yourself with Founder James Blanchard of Blanchard Family Wines and Head Cheesemaker at Haystack Mountain Creamery, Jackie Chang.
4:00 PM – Standard Gallery Wine Seminar Standard Gallery
Join Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman, owner of Boulder Wine Merchant, for a wine seminar in Steamboat’s newest gallery/wine bar.
5:00 PM – Marabou Ranch Chef Dinner Marabou Ranch
Participants will enjoy an idyllic evening on the Elk River at the River House Mountain Lodge at the Marabou Ranch. This all female dinner featuring Chef Caroline Glover, Chef Jen Jasinski and Chef Dana Rodriguez with wines from wine maker Pipa Orrison of Orison Wines, will be just like the women represented here – cool, sexy and impressive. From the cocktails to the food to the wine – this dinner will be crafted in full by the ladies. But don’t worry you don’t have to be female to attend – everyone is invited!
6:00 PM – Alpine Mountain Ranch Chef Dinner Alpine Mountain Ranch
Join James Beard-winning Chef Alex Seidel for a Baja-Style feast featuring culinary and beverage talent curated by Seidel himself. Chef Ceasear Pita and Chef Collarte from Baja Mexico, along with mixolgogist Danny Sanchez also from the Cabo area as they prepare dinner al carbon–over an open fire. Winemaker Edgar Torres will be featuring wines from his Paso Robles winery Bodega de Edgar and if you’re lucky he might bring out his newest endeavor.. tequila.
SOLD OUT
6:00 PM – Jace Romick Gallery Chef Dinner Jace Romick Gallery
Join James Beard nominated Chef Jeff Osaka of Osaka Ramen and Paul Reilly of Beast and Bottle for dinner in Steamboat native Jace Romick’s Gallery. The evening will start with cocktails from Steamboat Whiskey and hors d’ oeuvres in the gallery before moving upstairs for this incredible collaboration dinner.
SOLD OUT
7:00 PM – Truffle Pig Chef Dinner Truffle Pig
Celebrity Chef Hosea Rosenberg, Top Chef winner of Boulder’s BlackBelly, along with Head Butcher Kelly Kawachi and Truffle Pig’s own Chef Chris will feature Colorado lamb generously supplied by the American Lamb Board featuring wines from Maison Domaine and cocktails featuring Roku Gin by our very own Mark Stanford.
SOLD OUT
Saturday, September 25
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Morning Grand Tasting Session Base of the Mountain at Torian Plum
Our signature event at the base of the mountain. Enjoy a stunning fall day tasting more than 60 wines that have been carefully curated to ensure you’re learning about new wines, new portfolios and trying things you haven’t tried before. Paired with spirt experiences, beers and food from local and national chefs. Couldn’t decide between dinners? This is a great opportunity to meet (and eat) with the chefs featured at the Thursday and Friday night dinners. And the timing is perfect for some day time fun, followed by a nap and dinner in town.
11:00 AM – The Art of the Long Lunch – Pizza & Fernet Lunch Experience Truffle Pig
The Italians have made an art of slowing down and enjoying a long, mid-day meal. Participants will learn the joy of a leisurely Italian style lunch, starting with a spritz or two, followed by wine and a multi course lunch ending with espressos and fernet. Lunch will end just in time for you take a riposo (nap) before heading to the afternoon grand tasting.
12:30 PM – Caviar Masterclass Rumor Design
What makes caviar so elusive and the most exclusive fish in the world. Join Sarah Mayo of Black River Caviar for a tasting of 3 grades of caviar, learn the subtle distinctions while pairing with wines in Rumor Design’s beautiful new space on Lincoln Avenue.
2:00 PM – The Perception of Smell Location TBD
Join Master Sommelier Brett Zimmerman and CU Associate Professor Vijay Ramakrishnan to learn about smell vs taste vs texture/mouthfeel and the multi-sensory nature of “flavor” in this seminar.
3:00 PM – Butchery Demo and Charcuterie Tasting Location TBD
Join Head Butcher Kelly Kawachi and Chef/Owner Hosea Rosenberg of Blackbelly (Boulder, CO) for a butchery demo and tasting of house made charcuterie. Watch as a heritage breed half pig is broken down, while learning straight from the butcher everything you should know about shopping for the meat you eat, the best preparations and techniques for certain cuts of pork, and what goes into salumi-making… All the while, snacking on cured meats, paired with outstanding wines!
3:00 PM – Get Schooled in Agave Truffle Pig
Join mixologist Mark Stanford as he discusses the history and the lineage of tequila. What is true tequila, how is it produced, how to drink it and how to buy it.
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Afternoon Grand Tasting Session Base of the Mountain at Torian Plum
The afternoon session of our signature event will continue to feature over 60 carefully, curated wines along with spirt experiences, beers and food from local and national chefs. s.
Sunday, September 26
11:00 AM – BBQ, Bluegrass, Bubbles & Bloody’s Brunch – Presented by Coravin Yampa Street – Downtown Steamboat
SFWF’s tradition of closing the festival with a laid-back street party continues. Join your friends for a brunch that includes Haku Vodka Bloody Mary’s, Kilbeggan Whiskey Irish Coffees, Basil Hayden Hot Toddy’s, Angry Orchard Mimosas and seasonal beers from Sam Adams and Dog Fish.
New this year Truffle Pig’s Mark Stanford will be onsite demonstrating the in’s and out’s of how to make the best boozy-morning beverages. Enjoy Barbecued and Smoked Meats from the festival’s participating chefs and groove to live Bluegrass Music as you wind up your weekend in a true Steamboat “Sunday-Funday” style.
Sign up for the latest festival updates!
