There’s a lot to love about Sample the Sierra, the music, the Makers Market, an afternoon beneath the Tahoe pines, but at the heart of the festival are the people creating what’s on your plate and in your glass.
Less than a month away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Bijou Community Park, Sample the Sierra brings together an incredible lineup of chefs, restaurants, winemakers, brewers, distillers, and specialty beverage makers for one delicious afternoon celebrating the flavors of our region.
More than 1,500 guests are expected to join us this year, with the opportunity to taste their way through the festival, discover new favorites, and best of all, meet some of the talented people behind them.
Meet the Tastemakers
Sample the Sierra isn’t your typical food festival. One of the things that makes this event so special is the collaboration between our culinary and beverage communities.
Participating restaurants are thoughtfully paired with wineries, breweries, distilleries, and beverage producers to create tasting combinations throughout the festival. It’s an opportunity to try something new, discover unexpected pairings, and experience just how much culinary talent is packed into the Sierra.
And this year’s restaurant lineup gives you plenty to taste.
Returning favorites and local staples include Bruschetta, Cuppa Tahoe, Fox and Hound Smokehouse Grill & Bar, The Landing Lake Tahoe Resort & Spa, Libation Lodge Restaurant & Brewery, MacDuff’s Pub, Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, South Lake Brewing Co., Toulouse, and The Idle Hour.
Come hungry, because there’s even more joining the lineup. Guests can also discover bites and treats from California Conservation Corps, Tahoe Pops, Wild Sugar Dessert, Appethaiser and Frankie’s Bakery.
From savory bites and comfort-food favorites to ice cream, baked goods, frozen treats, and refreshing sips, part of the fun is making your way through the park to see what each stop has waiting for you.
Raise a Glass to This Year’s Winemakers
Wine lovers, this is your afternoon.
Sample the Sierra brings together wineries from throughout California and beyond, giving guests the chance to explore different varietals, regions, and winemaking styles without ever leaving the Tahoe pines.
This year’s lineup includes Element 79 Vineyards, E16 Winery, Medeiros Family Wines, Skinner Vineyards, Starfield Vineyards, Terra Amata, Crystal Basin Cellars, and more.
The best part? This isn’t simply about grabbing a pour and moving on. Sample the Sierra gives guests a chance to slow down, ask questions, learn about what’s in their glass, and meet some of the people and businesses responsible for bringing these wines to the table.
Whether you already know exactly what you like or your tasting strategy is simply “surprise me,” consider this your invitation to discover a new favorite.
Brews, Spirits & Bold Sierra Sips
Of course, wine is only part of the story.
Tahoe’s craft beverage culture has become a defining part of our local food scene, and you’ll find plenty of it represented at this year’s festival.
Hinterhaus Distillery joins the lineup alongside Tahoe Blue Vodka, while beer lovers can look forward to pours from names including Cascade Kitchen, Cold Water Brewery & Grill and South Lake Brewing Co. You’ll also find returning Sample the Sierra favorites and regional beverage producers pouring throughout the afternoon.
From crisp craft beers to small-batch spirits and creative cocktails, there is plenty to explore beyond the wine glass.
Not Drinking? You’re Still Invited to Sip.
Great drinks don’t have to include alcohol, and this year’s Sample the Sierra lineup makes sure everyone has something interesting in their glass.
Look for non-alcoholic and specialty beverage options from names like Cuppa Tahoe, Paddle House Brews and Earthy Elixers, Early 90s Cafe bringing everything from café-inspired creations and refreshing fruit-forward drinks to tea and other creative alternatives.
Whether you’re skipping alcohol altogether, taking a break between tastings, or simply looking for something refreshing on a sunny September afternoon, make these stops part of your tasting route.
Sample the Sierra is about discovering great flavor, and there’s plenty of it with or without alcohol.
The People Behind the Flavor
What makes Sample the Sierra special isn’t simply the number of things you get to taste. It’s getting to experience the creativity behind them.
Behind every bite is a chef or culinary team. Behind every bottle is a winemaker, brewer, or distiller. Behind every small-batch creation is someone who has spent countless hours perfecting their craft.
Sample the Sierra puts those people front and center.
Take a moment to ask the winemaker about the bottle they’re pouring. Find out what inspired the chef’s dish. Ask the brewer what they’re excited about right now. Discover why a distiller chose a particular ingredient or technique.
You may come to Sample the Sierra for the food and drinks, but you’ll leave knowing a little more about the people who make Tahoe’s food and beverage community worth celebrating.
More Than a Tasting Festival
Once your plate and glass are full, find your perfect spot beneath the pines and stay awhile.
This year’s festival will feature live music from The Residents and Mic Smith, along with the Makers Market, where guests can browse handcrafted goods, artwork, jewelry, home décor, gifts, and more from participating artists and artisans.
Sample the Sierra is meant to be savored, not rushed. Taste something new, shop local, listen to live music, meet the makers, and enjoy a September afternoon outside in South Lake Tahoe.
Before You Head to the Festival
A little planning will make your Sample the Sierra afternoon even better.
Bring a chair. Bring a blanket. Bring a reusable water bottle. Bring your bike.
Find a comfortable spot beneath the pines between tastings and make an afternoon of it. Most importantly, please remember that there will be no single-use cups at the festival, so come prepared to help us reduce waste while enjoying the event.
Guests are also encouraged to consider a carpool to Bijou Community Park. Complimentary bike valet and Lake Link will be available again this year, making it easier to leave the car behind.
Thank You to the Partners Who Make It Possible
Bringing Tahoe’s culinary community together for one afternoon takes a village, and Sample the Sierra wouldn’t be possible without the businesses, organizations, and volunteers that support the festival.
A special thank you to our sponsors The Idle Hour, Tahoe Cruises, Camelot Party Rentals, Winters Electric, Crystal Foods, and South Tahoe Refuse for helping make this year’s celebration possible.
Their support allows Sample the Sierra to continue showcasing the restaurants, beverage producers, artists, makers, and small businesses that make our community such a special place to eat, drink, create, and gather.
Come Taste the Sierra
Sample the Sierra returns Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at Bijou Community Park.
Come hungry. Come curious. Bring your chair, blanket, and reusable water bottle and get ready to meet the people behind some of Tahoe’s best bites and sips.
Because the real magic of Sample the Sierra isn’t just what’s being served.
It’s who is serving it.