By Allison Hogan
Wine is a social beverage, best appreciated with friends and family. It makes dinner more civilized. It slows us down a little, gives us something to add to the moment...- Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
The summer solstice on June 21st heralds the beginning of a glorious time of year in Park City. The season, with its crystal-clear days, Carolina-blue skies, and cool nights, is one celebrated with a most popular duo: food and wine. Sprinkled throughout the summer months are gatherings guaranteed to tantalize the senses.
Fittingly, June 21st also opens Park City’s 7th Annual Savor the Summit’s Grande Table event. Featuring one long dinner table set along nearly a mile of Main Street (closed off to traffic for the event), hundreds of participants gather for this feast of fabulous food and spirits. Park City’s finest dining establishments showcase their summer menus, while Mountain Town Music provides the entertainment. The Spirit Garden opens at 5 pm, with a wide selection of wine, mixed drinks, and locally-brewed beers.
The Park City Food and Wine Classic returns for its 10th anniversary, July 9th–13th at Park City Mountain Resort. This four-day feast for the eyes and palate includes wine tastings and food samplings, educational seminars, exhibits, and outdoor activities. Chefs and sommeliers are on hand throughout the event to share their expertise. Join more than 100 food artisans, wineries, breweries, distilleries and epicurean purveyors for this ultimate food and wine experience.
This year’s Taste of the Wasatch returns to Solitude Mountain Resort on Sunday, August 3rd from noon to 4 pm. Featuring food tastings presented by chefs from over 50 top Utah restaurants and resorts, this fund-raiser supports efforts to fight hunger in Utah. Live music, live and silent auctions, and samplings from boutique wineries and craft breweries make this an afternoon to remember.
Two Sundays in August, the 13th and the 20th, will be celebrated in unique style at Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo—Wild Libations, returning by popular demand. The zoo’s residents may be bedding down for the night, but cocktail hour is just beginning!
This after-hours event features wine and beer for every taste, with a bonus: selections available in Utah liquor stores. Chat with local wine & beer brewers and educators who will be on hand to answer questions. Live music and the company of some amazing critters ensure a lively, one-of-a-kind evening.
These annual events draw hundreds of visitors and locals, eager to savor the long days of summer with good friends and good sustenance.
Savor the Summit | June 21 | savorthesummit.com
Park City Food & Wine Classic | July 9 – 13 | parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com
Taste of the Wasatch | August 3 | tasteofthewasatch.org
Hogle Zoo’s Wild Libations | August 13 & 20 | hoglezoo.org
