Wine and Spirits Weekend Invades Mandalay Bay

Yes, the big foodie events keep a-coming. Now Mandalay Bay is getting in on the fun with the Wine and Spirits Weekend Aug. 17-19, which replaces the Aureole Wine Weekend that ran for the past three years.

That means aside from Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, Fleur by Hubert Keller, Alain Ducasse’s miX Lounge and Michael Mina’s StripSteak get in on the fun. Even Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar and Moorea Beach Club are taking part in the food and wine extravaganza. Tickets start at $100 or run the gauntlet for $950.

For tickets, visit mandalaybay.com/vino or call 1-877-305-3136.

Here’s a look at the weekend from the press release:

Friday, Aug. 17
7 to 9 p.m.
Discover Your New Favorite Wine
Guests are invited to meet and mingle with their fellow wine weekenders at this kick-off event perched high atop THEhotel at miX Lounge. As they take in the views of the Las Vegas Strip and nibble on tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, Mandalay Bay wine director Christophe Tassan and master mixologist Duggan McDonnell will invite guests to discover the unique flavors of some of the best-kept secrets in wine and spirits.

Saturday, Aug. 18
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Bubbles Across The Globe at Fleur by Hubert Keller
Join master chef Hubert Keller at a late-morning provincial brunch of dishes such as Tomato Basil Tuna Tart and Cantaloupe Gazpacho with smoked duck breast paired with the finest in bubbly including Cava, Prosecco, Champagne, Sekt, Moscato and Bracchetto. 

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 
“You be the Judge” France vs California Mandalay Bay
Wine director Christophe Tassan, along with master sommelier Jay James, will lead the group in a blind wine tasting of Old World French versus New World California Cabernet Sauvignons. Held at Aureole, this will be a true test for even the most avid wine connoisseur.

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Cachaca Classics
At Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar, master mixologist Armando Rosario will invigorate the senses by introducing guests to Cachaca, the national spirit of Brazil. Participants will learn first-hand how to make great-tasting cocktails through an interactive presentation that goes through the Caipirinha and beyond.

3 to 4 p.m.
Wine Blending Session
Guests will have the opportunity to become master winemakers for an afternoon and reproduce a famous proprietary blend with single grape varietals. Held within the miX dining room, this distinctive blending experience will be led by Conn Creek Winemaker Mike McGrath and use Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

3 to 4 p.m.
Elevate your Dinner Party with Rum
Attendants at this interactive event will learn how to liven up their dinner parties with festive rum-based cocktails. Guests will gather at StripSteak, where master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim will guide the group in a hands-on session and give them the tools to make their next affair an unforgettable one.

5 to 8:30 p.m.
The “Master” Dinner
The weekend’s events reach the pinnacle with a six-course gastronomic adventure at Aureole. Executive chef Vincent Pouessel will offer dishes as Colossal Shrimp Thermidor with forbidden rice casserole and sweet chili sauce as well as Garlic Basted Colorado Rack of lamb with braised pork belly stuffed piquillo pepper and wilted baby arugula. Each sumptuous course will be expertly paired by a master sommelier.

9 to 11 p.m.
Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw Private Dessert
Moorea Beach Club will become a private viewing area for the evening’s beach concert and guests will be treated to delicious desserts from Mandalay Bay executive pastry chef Vincent Pilon. Dessert wines and special sakes will be served and cocktails by Bombay Sapphire Gin will be specially prepared to pair with chef Pilon’s creations. 

Sunday, Aug. 19
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Farmers Market
A farewell brunch will be held at StripSteak where dishes created by executive chef Doug Bell using locally sourced and organic ingredients will be served. Donuts, beignets, waffles, omelets, a bacon station and more will prepare guests for their journey home and departures will be sweetened with fruit-friendly wines such as Loire Valley Chenin, Gamay Beaujolais, Dolcetto d’Alba and more.
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