Breckenridge, CO is more than a ski town, and it’s 100% worth a summertime visit. I traveled to the cozy mountain town in August for the Wine Classic to sip and eat (and hike!) my way through some of the region’s best beverage and culinary offerings. Between sweeping views, live music and plenty of opportunities to learn about wine from experts, this weekend wine event is a fantastic excuse to plan a romantic summer getaway to the Rockies.
Highlights
- How to plan a trip for the Breckenridge Wine Classic
- Where to make dinner reservations in town
- Where to stay for easy access to the event activities
Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.
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Breckenridge Wine Classic
Why Go: The Wine Classic is as laid-back and relaxed as the ski town that hosts it. You’ll learn about (and of course taste) wines, beers and spirits, without a lecture or a hint of pretense.
The Wine Classic is held every August in Breckenridge, with a robust weekend schedule of wine tastings, activities and meals that visitors can pick and choose from.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Get around town easily using Breckenridge Free Ride, a trolley that services the wider Breckenridge area.
Grand Tasting
The Grand Tasting is the main event for sampling wine and spirits. It’s held three times during the weekend: once on Friday afternoon and twice on Saturday.
During the walk-around tasting, you can sample over 250 wines, beers, liquors and cocktails on offer from local and international makers. You can also enjoy bites from local restaurants to balance all the booze. A live band sets the festive mood, and it’s set against the backdrop of the mighty Rockies.
Other Wine Classic Activities
If you want to extend your visit to the Wine Classic beyond the Grand Tasting—and I recommend you do—choose from intimate wine dinners, a Friday night concert and (my recommendation) a hike followed by a wine lunch. Don’t worry, it’s not strenuous, and, yes, it includes a mid-hike glass of Prosecco on the banks of a mountain lake.
Where to Stay
The Wine Classic largely takes place at Beaver Run Resort, which is a large hotel and conference center about a 15-minute walk or 3-minute drive to the center of town.
I stayed at Hotel Alpenrock, which is a short walk from Beaver Run and slightly closer to town. The rooms in this newer hotel are spacious, neat and comfortable. The lobby bar offers a great selection of craft cocktails and local brews. Alpenrock also offers a free shuttle service to several stops in town.
Where to Eat
Between wine-pairing events, you’ll need to stay satiated, and Breckenridge has a number of excellent dining options. One chef in particular, 2024 James Beard Award Winner for Best Chef Mountain, Matt Vawter, has a major claim to the higher-end dining scene in town.
Rootstalk is a can’t-miss meal in Breckenridge. Vawter sources ingredients from Colorado farms and ranches and lets them shine on the plate. The Elysian Farms Lamb Saddle is a perennial favorite with rotating sides that reflect the current growing season in the Rockies. Don’t skip dessert; the pastry program is as elevated and elegant as the entrees.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Ask for a table downstairs at Rootstalk for what feels like an intimate cellar dinner where you can watch the impressive kitchen at work.
Radicado, another of Vawter’s restaurants, is a bustling Italian restaurant perched above the city square. The cuisine is Mountain Italian: generous, hearty pastas, center-of-the-plate proteins and a cozy atmosphere that gets quite lively on a Saturday night.
SheBuysTravel Tip: The town is busy during the Wine Classic, so reservations are a good idea.
Aurum is another great spot for dinner. The space is bright and light and standouts on the New American menu include beet-cured salmon and a French onion burger.
For breakfast, pick up excellent pastries from Vawter’s Threefold Bakery (expect a line if you’re not an early riser, but it moves quickly). While you’re there, bring home an epi baguette to snack on later.
Speaking of snacks, Higgles Ice Cream makes incredible artisan ice cream. The flavors change daily, so check the current menu. You might be treated to a scoop of Colorado nectarine if you’re in town for stone fruit season.
For more casual fare, grab a sandwich or salad at The Shifty Lifty at the base of the Gondola, pizza from Tin Plate or pick up smoothies at Lolo Juice.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re flying into Denver, you can rent a car or book a shuttle. Summit Express and Epic Mountain Express both operate regular vans to and from the airport.
No, the event is 21+.
Yes, the Wine Classic is held rain or shine, so check the forecast and dress in layers!
No, the state of Colorado does not allow alcohol purchasing at the festival.
The event organizers recommend dressing in “mountain chic.” In practice, that means a lot of denim, long dresses and skirts for women and the occasional cowboy boot. In general, the attire is laid-back and pretty casual, so don’t feel the need to buy a new outfit for your trip.
Read More
- Things to Do in Breckenridge in the Summer
- Things to Do in Colorado in the Summer
- Awesome Family-Friendly Colorado Vacation Ideas For Your Bucket List
- Fun Day Trips From Denver for Epic Colorado Adventures
- An Affordable but Still World-Class Wine Tasting in Lompoc, CA
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