High West, Park City Food & Wine Classic Join Forces

PARK CITY, Utah (June 16, 2015) — A pair of Park City classics are teaming up this summer.

High West Distillery, Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, is hosting four top-flight events including the opening-night party at the Park City Food & Wine Classic in July, each highlighting High West’s award-winning all-American spirits.

“We’re really looking forward to the return of the classic this summer,” High West Proprietor David Perkins said. “It’s such a blast every season, bringing together so many top chefs and food enthusiasts from around the world, and we’re especially excited to be showcasing four events this summer.”

High West is proud to host the opening of the Park City Food and Wine Festival on Thursday, July 9.  Taking place at High West’s new state-of-the-art whiskey distillery at Blue Sky Ranch, the celebration will mark the first time High West will open the new distillery to the general public.

For the opening-night party, High West executive chef James Dumas and the High West culinary team will serve an array of delicious culinary creations, each crafted to complement High West’s award-winning spirits and Blue Sky’s stunning views and spectacular ranch experience. Wine experts will be on-hand, along with live music and a selection of international and domestic wines that, together, will make this intimate experience a special evening you won’t want to miss.  Tickets cost $165, and the event runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The food and wine classic returns to Blue Sky on Friday, July 10, from 12-2:30, for “Moonshine on the Mountain.” Spend the afternoon in a veritable whiskey academy, learning all about the spirit while enjoying whiskeys, including single malts, bourbons, and ryes, paired with food. Perkins will be on hand, and a VIP tour of the new distillery will follow the luncheon. The event runs from 12 to 2:30 p.m., and tickets cost $95.

“Not only will you get to experience a unique seminar on whiskey, you will be the very first to get an exclusive “behind the scenes” tour of our new whiskey making operation,” Perkins said. “This should be a really special event.”

On Saturday, July 11, join High West for “Reds, Rye and Ramble,” a rewarding and revitalizing hike led by High West ambassadors that offers breathtaking views of Park City. The trek starts at Park City Mountain Resort and weaves through beautiful aspen forests, ending at High West for a delightful lunch prepared by High West and winetasting with Moniker Wine Estates. After the meal, enjoy a signature High West cocktail and tour of the distilling operation in the historic building.   The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and tickets cost $95.

“Park City has some of the most beautiful hiking terrain in the world. And once you’re ready to kick your feet up, we’re proud to join in a  wine tasting with the family run and operated Moniker winery from Mendocino,” Perkins said. 

Join High West in ending the weekend on an active high note Sunday with the “Hair of the Dog Road Ride” on Sunday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Led by Dumas, Perkins and festival founder Jason Ornstein, enjoy an intermediate-to-advanced 25-mile road ride through scenic stretches of Park City and Deer Valley. Then after sweating out those toxins, take in a delicious lunch – and one last irresistible cocktail – to put the perfect cap on what promises to be an incredible and indulgent weekend.

Tickets cost $95. Riders are asked to meet at High West Saloon at 703 Park Avenue at 9:45 a.m.

The Park City Food & Wine Classic features more than two dozen food and wine tastings, seminars, bike rides, hikes, fishing excursions and more — all led by world-renowned experts in Park City’s famous Wasatch Mountains.

Ticket prices range from $50 to $225, and can be purchased by visiting the classic’s website,

www.parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com. Act fast – tickets to most events sell out quickly.

“This event blends the absolute best of Park City: outstanding food and drinks, and world-class outdoors,” said Jason Ornstein, owner of Team Player Productions, which organizes the Food & Wine Classic. “There are experiences for every sense — taste, smell, sight, touch. I can’t think of a better way to spend a long summer weekend.”

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the People’s Health Clinic, a nonprofit that provides healthcare for uninsured individuals and families in Utah’s Summit and Wasatch counties. Last year, the classic raised more than $30,000 for the clinic. In all, Team Player Productions has raised more than $2 million for local charities.

For more information about the Park City Food and Wine Classic, contact Christa Graff, of Graff Public Relations, at christa@graffpr.com or 435-640-7921.

About High West Distillery
Utah’s first legal distillery since 1870, High West's passion is crafting delicious whiskeys and marrying them with outstanding food. High West offers an outstanding collection of highly rated whiskeys, all available in the High West General Store seven days a week and holidays as well as at finer liquor stores, bars and restaurants in 42 states throughout the U.S. and internationally.

High West has three must visit locations. Our High West Saloon in historic Old Town Park City is the world’s only ski-in gastro distillery that was voted “Best Park City Restaurant” the last three years by readers of City Weekly and was a James Beard nominated Best Bar that also ranked No. 10 on The Daily Meal’s list of 150 Best Bars in America. Our High West Saloon in Terminal E  at Salt Lake International Airport offers the best  food and drinks in any airport in the world. Finally, in the summer of 2015, High West will officially open our new 30,000 square foot distillery and visitor center on Blue Sky Ranch in Wanship, Utah where we will offer educational tours and a visitor center featuring High West’s unique high country cuisine. Blue Sky is an historic working cattle ranch and soon to be luxury guest ranch with a wellness center and state of the art conference and event centers.  Both Blue Sky and High West aim to build a landmark Western destination and resort offering an authentic and premium western experience.  For more information and where to buy High West products near you, visit highwest.com.

About the Park City Food and Wine Classic

The Park City Food and Wine Classic is a premier destination event for master winemakers, culinary greats, and connoisseurs, offering all the opportunity to wine and dine in beautiful Park City, Utah. Voted the nation’s No. 4 “Best Food Festival” by the readers of USA Today, the classic brings together more than 100 food artisans, wineries, breweries, distilleries, epicurean purveyors and locally-made products. Activities include food and wine tastings, seminars and cooking demonstrations. To learn more, visit www.parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com.

About the People’s Health Clinic

People’s Health Clinic is a community-funded, nonprofit health clinic that provides high-quality primary care to uninsured individuals and families in Summit and Wasatch counties. The clinic’s services include pediatric, chronic disease, prenatal and general adult medical services. The patients seen at the People’s Health Clinic are local residents who contribute to making our community exceptional. In fact, 18 percent (or 1 in 5) of the clinic’s patients are employees of area restaurants. To date, the Park City Food & Wine Festival has raised more than $30,000 for the Clinic. For more information visit www.peopleshealthclinic.org.