Food and wine festival includes regional growers, breweries and artists, Sept. 15
June 13, 2018 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif.) – Pair crisp air and towering pines with fresh, locally made foods and libations with the return of Sample the Sierra, Sept. 15, 2018. Tickets are now on sale for a celebration of the Sierra Nevada’s characteristic food, wines, spirits and brews during a one-day farm-to-fork food and wine festival in South Lake Tahoe. (www.samplethesierra.com)
The World Food Travel Association (WFTA) reports that 83 percent of travelers believe food and drink helps to create a lasting impression of a destination. With more visitors and locals searching for unique culinary experiences, Sample the Sierra offers an exclusive opportunity to taste a slew of regional products, including microbrews, vodkas, regionally grown produce and specialty dishes, at one festival.
“Sample the Sierra gives visitors a different perspective of Lake Tahoe,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “This event has been helping visitors experience the flavors you can only find here and expanding their minds to not only think of Tahoe as a recreation destination, but also a food destination.”
For the ninth year, Sample the Sierra will host over 20 booths with a different winery, distillery or brewery expertly paired with a restaurant utilizing local produce in signature dishes. Among those featured include Lake Tahoe AleWorX, Blue Angel Café & Catering, Boeger Winery, Riva Grill, Cold Water Brewery, Primo’s Italian Bistro, Café Fiore and Findleton Estate Winery.
“Showing off our distinctive culinary offerings has cemented the character of our area,” said Emily Abernathy, director of operations at the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce. “Sample the Sierra really celebrates what we do well in this region.”
Food and drink aren’t the only offerings on the table during Sample the Sierra, as local chefs from participating restaurants go head-to-head during the Sierra Chefs Challenge, a competitive and timed cooking challenge. A festival marketplace will also have handmade goods, including jams, jewelry and artwork among other items crafted regionally. Music and other entertainment will be announced.
The ninth annual Sample the Sierra is located at Bijou Community Park, South Lake Tahoe. Premier early bird tickets are currently on sale until July 5: $35 for adults, $25 for under 21 and designated drivers. Early bird tickets are available until the Sept. 14 for $40 for adult and $30 for under 21 and designated drivers. Tickets are available the day of the event for $45 and $35 for under 21 and designated drivers, with children three years old and younger free. Tickets are available at http://bit.ly/STS18Tickets.
Sample the Sierra is produced by the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, El Dorado County, and the City of South Lake Tahoe. The festival is supported by El Dorado County Wines, Gondola Vista, Camelot Party Rentals, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Sacramento International Airport, South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts Getaway Reno/Reno, Sierra Living, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Services, Liberty Utilities, Lake Tahoe Community College, and Sierra Meat & Seafood.
For information about Sample the Sierra, tickets and participation, visit www.samplethesierra.com.
