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Tahoe Wine and Feast set to elevate South Lake Tahoe's culinary scene

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 14:52 GMT by KOLO TV
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South Lake Tahoe to Host its First‑Ever Tahoe Wine Feast – A Celebration of Local Viticulture and Culinary Craftsmanship

South Lake Tahoe, CA – In a bold move that promises to put the Sierra‑backed community on the map for food‑and‑wine enthusiasts, a coalition of local vintners, chefs and hospitality professionals is launching the inaugural Tahoe Wine Feast. Scheduled for September 12‑14, 2025, the three‑day festival will take place at the historic Pine Ridge Lodge on the lake’s western shore, offering a curated line‑up of California’s best wines alongside a farm‑to‑table menu that showcases the region’s culinary talent.

What the Tahoe Wine Feast Is All About

The concept is simple: create an immersive, multi‑sensory experience that pairs premium wine selections with thoughtfully prepared dishes, all in a setting that reflects Tahoe’s rugged charm. According to the event’s co‑founder Sarah Martinez, a former executive chef at the renowned Red Mountain Restaurant in Napa, “We’re bringing the terroir of the Sierra to the people who live and visit here. It’s about celebrating the way wine and food can tell a story of place.”

In partnership with the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, the feast will feature:

Beyond the food and wine, the feast includes live music, artisanal craft booths, and an outdoor cinema screening of “The Good Life” (a documentary about sustainable wine‑making). The entire event is slated to attract more than 3,000 visitors, according to the Chamber.

A Focus on Local Talent and the Economy

The economic impact is expected to be significant. A recent study by the California Wine Growers Association found that each visitor to a wine festival generates an average of $1,200 in direct spending, covering lodging, dining, transportation and retail. With an estimated 3,000 guests, the feast could inject $3.6 million into the local economy.

Local vintners, many of whom have been operating in the Tahoe area for more than two decades, see the feast as a platform to showcase their craft beyond the traditional tourist circuits. “We’re not just selling bottles; we’re telling the story of how the Tahoe climate—its cold nights, short growing season, and mineral‑rich soils—creates a unique flavor profile,” explained Megan Li, owner of Echo Valley Vineyards. Li has been featured in a recent profile on Wine Enthusiast and is also the subject of a forthcoming episode on the public‑access TV series California Vines.

Meanwhile, chefs across the region have rallied behind the festival, viewing it as an opportunity to experiment with seasonal ingredients. Chef Miguel Torres—known for his fusion of Mexican and Californian cuisine—said, “The mountain’s bounty is incredibly versatile. I want to highlight the sweet, smoky, and earthy flavors that are born from this environment.”

Community Involvement and Sustainability

The Tahoe Wine Feast is more than a commercial venture; it’s a community initiative that places sustainability at its core. In a statement released on the Chamber’s website, the event organizers highlighted several green practices:

• Carbon‑Neutral Shipping – All wine deliveries will be made via electric trucks and will offset emissions with tree‑planting projects in the Sierra.
• Zero‑Waste Kitchen – Chefs will implement composting and donation of edible scraps to local food banks.
• Local Sourcing – 80% of ingredients will be sourced from within a 100‑mile radius to reduce transportation impacts.

The event’s partnership with the Sierra‑Sustain Coalition aims to provide educational workshops on water conservation and soil health, drawing on research from the University of California, Davis.

Getting There and Booking

Tickets for the feast will go on sale on July 15th. Early‑bird pricing begins at $199 for a single day, while the full three‑day pass is priced at $499. Hospitality partners, such as the Lake Tahoe Lodge & Spa and Mountain View Bed & Breakfast, have secured block rates for attendees looking for lodging options.

A separate “wine‑and‑food passport” will be distributed to attendees, giving them access to exclusive discounts at participating wineries and restaurants. According to Martinez, the passport will also be a fundraiser for local culinary schools, with a portion of the proceeds going to scholarships.

The Verdict

While South Lake Tahoe has long been famed for its scenic beauty, the Tahoe Wine Feast aims to position the region as a culinary hotspot. By combining the artistry of winemaking with the flair of fine dining, the festival promises an experience that appeals to both seasoned sommeliers and casual food lovers. As the calendar date draws closer, the community buzz is palpable—locals are preparing their finest dishes, vintners are selecting their best vintages, and visitors from across the nation are eager to see what the “Mountain of Wine” has to offer.

In a region that has historically depended on skiing and outdoor recreation, the Tahoe Wine Feast represents a forward‑looking diversification strategy that blends tradition, innovation, and community spirit. Whether you’re a connoisseur of the vine or simply an admirer of mountain vistas, the event is set to be a tasting of the soul of South Lake Tahoe—one sip, one bite, one unforgettable moment at a time.