Food & Wine Festivals this summer and fall

For savory eats and boutique wines, these festivals and wine walks deliver with eclectic tastings, hands-on cooking demos and breathtaking venues.

LAKE TAHOE AUTUMN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL

The 29th annual Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival on September 5-7 p.m. at the Village at Northstar features three days of cooking seminars, culinary competitions, wine and beer tastings, and art exhibits.

Though most events are in The Village, some are held on the mountain, at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, and the Zephyr Lodge. Some are ticketed while others are free. Highlights include:

A Farm to Tahoe Dinner featuring fresh, local produce and prepared by Northstar’s Chef Steve Anderson. A gondola ride delivers guests to the Zephyr Lodge for this multi-course plated dinner. Live music will be provided for guests to enjoy over wine, beer and beverages.

Wine & Brew Walk A casual afternoon soiree featuring delicious wine and brew op- tions for guests to enjoy while browsing in The Village. For outdoor enthusiasts, the festival also features a trailside tasting led by a guide allows guests of all hiking abilities to taste craft beers and light snacks in the wilderness.

Culinary Competition & Grand Tasting An al fresco tasting on September 7 features more than 25 regional top chefs’ culinary creations paired with 25 premium wines, spirits and brews in a judged food and wine pairing competition.

In addition, Chef Jacob Burton of Stella Restaurant at Cedar House Sport Hotel will host a cooking demonstration. Guests are invited to gather in The Village to learn new culinary techniques. Admission is free.

The grilling demonstration is hosted by Chef Jason Gronlund, senior VP of Culinary at Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill in Florida. This grill master will teach guests techniques they can apply to their own home cooking. Admission is free.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the North Tahoe Arts Plein Air Painting Display, along with artistic demonstrations for guests to enjoy. Admission is free.

Children will enjoy complimentary face painting, balloon sculptures, arts and crafts, and a play area at The Village. For more information, visit TahoeFoodandWine.com.

NEVADA CITY UNCORKED

Nevada City Uncorked, a food and wine event that celebrates the agricultural bounty of Nevada County, takes place on Saturday, September 6, from 1-4 p.m. Each downtown venue, whether it is a retail shop, restaurant or winery tasting room, includes wine tasting and food sampling.

This year’s event features a farm-to-table theme between the local farmers and restaurants and caterers, who transform the fresh materials into signature dishes. The wineries highlight their newest releases in celebration of the upcoming harvest.

Nevada City Uncorked is collaboration between the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and Sierra Vintners. For more information, visit NevadaCityChamber.com.

SAMPLE THE SIERRA

Sample the Sierra celebrates its fifth anniversary on August 29-31 at a new location, beautiful Bijou Community Park in South Lake Tahoe. Framed by towering pines and a lush landscape, Bijou Community Park is an ideal backdrop for a day of food and wine tasting.

For the past four years, Sample the Sierra has supported regional vendors and artists by showcasing only locally grown and cultivated food paired with wine. This year’s attendees will enjoy live music, experience the thrill of the third annual Sierra chefs challenge and peruse wares sold by local artisans.

Presented in partnership with El Dorado County, Tahoe South and Tahoe Chamber, Sample the Sierra strives to create lasting partnerships between farmers, wineries and restaurants. For more information, visit SampleTheSierra.com.

DOWNTOWN TRUCKEE WINE, WALK & SHOP

The 11th annual Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop is Sat., Oct. 4, from noon-4 p.m. Wine lovers, food connoisseurs and dedicated shoppers will again indulge themselves with some of the finest vintages matched with delicious food samples as they stroll the historic town.

A portion of the revenue will go directly back into the Truckee community through the Tahoe Food Hub, a non-profit group that is building a regional food system. Visit TahoeFoodHub.org for more information.

The Downtown Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop is a fundraising event produced by Switchback Public Relations + Marketing, Inc. For more information, visit TruckeeWineWalk.com.