Elk Grove’s Annual Beer and Wine Tasting Event is Back
If you’re looking for the perfect pint or pour, there’s a celebration on tap that will showcase Elk Grove’s thriving and growing beer and wine scene.
Explore Elk Grove and Sky River Casino, in conjunction with the City of Elk Grove present , “Uncorked and Uncapped 2022” for its second year on September 24 at the Old Town Plaza located at 9615 Railroad Street.
The event will feature local wineries, breweries and live entertainment. Additionally, festival-goers will have an opportunity to indulge in local fare with a variety of the city’s best food trucks and eateries. Afterwards, attendees can take a complimentary shuttle to the newly built “Sky River Casino.”
VIP tickets are sold out, but there’s still a limited number of general admission passes available. To purchase tickets CLICK HERE
A hopping brew scene
Like to keep things light with a pilsner or lager? Prefer a bitter IPA? How about something dark and heavy like a porter or a stout? Whatever your taste, your palette is in for a treat.
Zac Van Someren is the general manager of the Hungry Pecker Brewing Company at 9251 Elk Grove Boulevard. He’s excited to return with six different favorites: “Seven Spanish Angels” imperial Mexican lager, “Backwoods Barbie” honey blond ale and the new double IPA called the. “Mosh Pit.”
Photo by: Tony Mercado
“This is a great event for established businesses that fought through the pandemic,” Van Someren said. “They’re going to be out there and represent Elk Grove.”
He also looks forward to using a 1931 Ford Model A Panel Truck outfitted to pour beer. The truck is leased from 31 Tap Pour House, the city’s newest tap house. The business will open in Old Town later this year at 8949 Elk Grove Boulevard.
Other featured breweries are: Dust Bowl Brewing Company; Flatland Brewing Company; Tilted Mash Brewing and Waterman Brewing Company.
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Sip and savor
The tastings are more than a wine lover’s dream. Matt Pratt owns the Bradley Ranch and Brewery at 110770 Bradley Ranch Road. He said the event helps preserve Elk Grove’s small town flavor.
“People get to know about all these little places they can go visit. They can feel like there’s something special in Elk Grove, and it’s a bonding event for us, ” Pratt said. “This kind of forces breweries and wineries to come together to share stories, tips and tricks.”
Other wineries at the event will include: Adkins Family Vineyards; McConnell Estates Winery; Christopher Cellars Winery; Sheldon Wine Shop; Vannatta Wines and Wolfe Heights Estates.
Images courtesy of Explore Elk Grove
Don’t forget the munchies and music
There will be plenty of food trucks offering a wide variety of culinary delights such as: Fujiya; Jeeroz Mediterranean; The Angry Chef; Rancho Rio Bravo and Ahuevos Foods.
Lake Tahoe based band, The Conner Party, will get feet tapping and bodies moving on the dance floor.
A boost for local business
Last year’s sold out event drew 750 people. Weeks later, the businesses continued to reap the benefits.
South Slope Wines opened at 10527 Sheldon Road a few weeks after taking part in the first Uncorked & Uncapped event. Patrons still arrive at their site talking about their artisan wines. This year, they’ll have a barbera, a viognier, a petite sirah and a zinfandel.
“We haven’t been around for 20 plus years like some of these others. It put us on the map and we couldn’t be happier.”
-Myles McMahon, proprietor, South Slope Wines
Elk Grove lies between three of California’s notable wine regions: Napa, Amador and Lodi, but it’s fermenting its reputation as a go-to spot for some of the higher quality beers and wines. Luis Aguilar, the city’s economic development specialist, found a number of business openings since 2015. They include four breweries, one tap house and four winery tasting rooms.
Explore Elk Grove
Explore Elk Grove is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, and the city’s official marketing and tourism partner. According to their website, they aim to “inspire locals and visitors alike to visit, shop, dine, meet and gather at our local businesses, parks, attractions, hotels and venues in order to foster positive economic development for the region.”
To that end. they want to share the city’s growth with the region through a signature event like Uncorked & Uncapped.
“People get to meet some of the owners, brew masters and wine makers,” Executive Director Aaryn Val said. “They’re the ones behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis, and the owners come together as the corks and caps community of Elk Grove.
Photo courtesy of Explore Elk Grove
Come on down
The event is important for everything local, said Enrique Silva, owner of 31 Tap Pour House.
“A lot of people might only frequent one business. But when they go to this event, they’re going to see what else we have available in town,” he said.
