It all began 15 years ago with a spark of inspiration from our founder, who dared to reclaim one of the cherished Winter Fest events that once animated Truckee annually. Our inaugural year of Wine N Ice was a humble affair—just a handful of friends, some blocks of ice, and a couple of chainsaws—but even then, the creativity, craftsmanship, and sheer joy illuminated our path, signaling we had stumbled upon something special.

Soon, we formalized this lively gathering as an official SnowFest event, intertwining it with our commitment to the Truckee River Watershed Council. We weren’t just celebrating; we were making a difference, transforming this spirited Mardi Gras themed extravaganza into a vibrant way to give back to our beloved water-loving community. For a decade, we gathered every first Wednesday of March at our Brockway Road tasting room, often commemorating our founding winemaker’s birthday amid laughter and revelry.

Then came 2020, where we faced challenges that shook the world. We closed our tasting room, yet persevered, still managing to host our cherished SnowFest event at the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City—an unforgettable event just days before everything changed. It became our last hurrah for an entire year, an echo of the camaraderie we knew we would reclaim.

From 2021 to 2023, we kept the Ice Carving Competition alive during SnowFest, albeit without the joy of our wines, due to necessary Covid precautions. But like the resilient spirit of Truckee itself, we bounced back in 2024, bringing our vision to life again. We joined forces with Alibi Ale Works in Truckee, reintroducing the essence of Wine N Ice with a flourish—wine, beer, and all the libations we had missed, revived in a sea of Mardi Gras attire and the exhilarating thrill of ice carving.

Now, as we step boldly into our 15th year, Wine N Ice stands as an all-encompassing Truckee tradition. We are poised and ready for another spectacular competition, gathered in festive spirit and fueled by our unwavering commitment to this incredible community. Get ready, Truckee—we’re just getting started!