Nothing says spring in the mountains quite like the arrival of Taste of Vail. This year’s 24th annual mountain food and wine festival runs April 2 - 5. The Taste of Vail has become one of North America’s premier food and wine festivals with more than 5,000 people in attendance. Every year brings something new and exciting to taste.

Currently more than two dozen wineries have already committed to the event including repeat visitors Capture, De Martino, Dinastia Vivanco, Domaine, Dutton Goldfield and Jeff Runquist. New wineries this year include Canyon Wine Cellars, Grgich Hills, Ladera, Rock Wall, Souverain and ZD Wine.

A new event this year is the Debut of Rose’ wine tasting event featuring the best roses released in 2013. While most people think of “pink” wine as a super sweet Zinfandel, this event will introduce tasters to the large variety of roses and bring a touch of Mediterranean France to the mountains. Tickets to this event only are $50 or guests can just pay $4 per tasting. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 2, with location to be announced soon.

Back by popular demand is the Colorado Lamb Cook Off and Apres Ski Tasting events at Vail Village. Sub-titled “Life beyond Chardonnay, Cabernet & Merlot” this delectable dinner will feature Reisling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chiraz and Zinfandel varietals. Tickets to this event are $75 and will be held on Thursday, April 3.

The famous Mountain Top Picnic will be held at 10,350 feet above sea level on top of Vail Mountain. Simply take the Eagle-Bahn Express Gondola at Lionshead. Tickets are $135 and the event is on Friday, April 4.

For the finale, the Grand Tasting and Auction will be Saturday, April 5, at the Vail Marriott Grand Ballroom. This is where food and fine wine come together in one grand evening. Thirty of Vail’s best restaurants will serve delicious treats alongside some of the nation's best wineries. Tickets are $175.

Other events during the week include food and wine seminars, wine pairing dinners and other special events. Festival passes can be purchased for the week. A Festival Pass is $525 and includes entrance to all signature events and seminars, but does not include any wine dinners. A Signature Pass is $385 and provides entry to three signature events: The Lamb Dinner, Mountaintop Picnic and Grand Tasting. A full listing of all events along with lodging information is available online.  

Photo: Taste of Vail