Avon, CO – The highlight of Beaver Creek’s summer culinary scene, the sixth annual Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival, returns to the Colorado ski resort Aug. 9-11, 2012 blending its traditional events with a variety of new offerings deep in the Rocky Mountains.

Recognizing strong interest in seminars, new this year, Maximilian Riedel, CEO of Riedel Crystal, joins the event along with festival newcomers Marnie Old and Bryan Dayton. Riedel will share his expert knowledge about glassware shape and its effects on the flavor of red wines. Old is a fresh and energetic sommelier who will lead wine seminars for both the trade professionals and consumers. Dayton, recent winner of GQ’s Bombay Sapphire cocktail competition, brings his inspired “chef-style” approach to cocktails with seminars on “What’s Hot in Spirits” and “What Everybody’s Home Bar Needs to Have”. The ever-popular Walk and Wine on Friday and Walk-Around Grand Tasting on Saturday complement unique and traditional tastings and seminars.

Also new this year, the Wine & Spirits Festival features three preview events for trade professionals including bartenders, buyers, sommeliers, food and beverage managers and off-premise sales representatives on Thursday, Aug. 9. Marnie Old and Chef Christian Apetz from The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek’s 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill will host a seminar on how to build a luncheon with the perfect wine pairings. Additionally, Maximilian Riedel will present a Spirits Seminar highlighting selecting proper glassware for specific spirits.

Trade Day Schedule of Events

Thursday, Aug. 9, Park Hyatt
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Building a Food Friendly Wine List for a Luncheon, presented by Marnie Old and Chef Christian Apetz.
2-3 p.m.: Riedel Spirits Seminar, presented by Maximilian Riedel
3:30 -4:30 p.m.: What’s Hot in Wine & Spirits, presented by Bryan Dayton

The trade day is intended for industry professionals. Tickets are $150 per person and may be purchased online at: wineandspiritstradeday.eventbrite.com.

Wine & Spirits Festival Program

Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012
The Ultimate Red Wine Experience, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Park Hyatt
Maximilian Riedel shares how your selection in glassware and its shape can affect the flavor of your favorite red wines.
Tickets: $50

Friday, Aug. 10, 2012
Walk & Wine Beaver Creek, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Beaver Creek Hiking Center and Beaver Creek Chophouse.
Enjoy a hike on Beaver Creek Mountain with professional guides from the resort’s Hiking Center. Enjoy a selection of fine wines and a lunch hosted by Chef Jay McCarthy and Chef Bernd Spreitzhofer.
Tickets: $95

Pastries & Port Cooking & Wine Pairing Class, 3 – 5:00 p.m., Park Hyatt
Chef Jenielle Hultberg and Premium Port Presenter Paul Muniger demonstrate pastry techniques and how to pair the perfect ports with their delicious desserts.
Tickets: $40

Spiegelau Beer Seminar, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., The Osprey at Beaver Creek
Presenter Doug Reed will share his knowledge about selecting the best glassware to enhance the flavor of your favorite beer.
Tickets: $30

Bright Future Foundation Dinner, 7- 10:00 p.m., Splendido at The Chateauin Beaver Creek
Renowned local chef David Walford and Palm Bay Importscreate an amazing wine pairing dinner, a signature event of the festival. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Bright Future Foundation.
Tickets: $125

Saturday, Aug.11, 2012
Cooking Class, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Splendido at The Chateauin Beaver Creek
Chef Bernd Spreitzhofer hosts this exclusive intimate cooking class and wines will be provided by Palm Bay Imports
Tickets: $120

Wine Seminar, Presented by Wine Spectator Magazine 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., The Metropolitan
Enjoy an afternoon wine seminar with sommelier host Marnie Old.
Tickets: $30

Spirits Seminar, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., By Nature Gallery
Spirits are making a big comeback and host Bryan Dayton will teach you about what’s new.
Tickets:  $30

Walk-Around Grand Tasting, 7- 10:00 p.m., Beaver Creek Village Ice Rink    
Experience a variety of wine and spirits and food pairings in an outdoor venue.
Tickets: $75

For event tickets call (888) 920-2787 or visit wineandspiritsfestival.eventbrite.com.