A top-10 list of things Copper Mountain is most known for might garner responses anywhere from naturally segegrated terrain, easy access and a fun, retro marketing feel to Guitar Town or the eenie weenie bikini contest (depending upon how far you go back).

But now Copper's using its laid-back reputation to make a name for itself in the wine festival industry. As David Taladay, Copper One chef, points out, for years, the Copper Mountain banquet team has been producing everything from high-end pharmaceutical retreats to spaghetti-and-meatball church dinners, but they haven't been taking advantage of their village and team talent within a winter culinary festival.

So they partnered with the best: Wine Country Network, Inc. Christopher Davies is the editorial director and publisher of Wine Country Network's Wine Country International magazine, as well as the organizer for the company's national wine festivals and culinary competitions, many of which are produced in Long Island, N.Y. In Colorado, Wine Country Network is best known for producing the Annual Denver International Wine Festival, now in its eighth season.

At Copper, Davies is taking a completely different approach to the festival, compared to the Denver International fest:

“It's meant to be a lot more attitude free, which goes along with the lifestyle at Copper,” he said.

Or, as Taladay bluntly puts it: “We're not as snobbish as everyone else is … we're a little more laid back and fun.”

An unusual highlight

While most festivals offer a more casual highlight in comparison to their Saturday night Grand Tasting, Copper Uncorked's sounds a little quirky: It's a burger and wine pairing. Yes, when people think burgers, they usually think beers, but as it turns out “burger” is a loose term: The challenge actually involves six gourmet proteins - bison, lamb, salmon, beef, pork or chicken - that Copper chefs from six restaurants will use their talents to create a “bun” of their choice and a “burger,” which judges and guests will score according to quality, presentation and compatibility with one or two specific pairings of a dozen available wines.

While the chefs at Copper work together often, the friendly competition “Will definitely break up the (routine) of a busy ski area Saturday afternoon — I'll tell you that,” Taladay said. “It takes us out of our element.”

Seminars

For those beer enthusiasts disappointed that burgers don't automatically equal brews, all they need to do is wait until 3:30 p.m. Saturday for Blue Moon Brewing cofounder Keith Villa to give a guided tasting of his vintage Blond Ale.

And, with Valentine's Day coming up Tuesday, Uncorked couldn't ignore chocolate lovers.

Allie Quady, daughter of Andrew Quady of Quady Wines, will bring sweet dessert wines to pair with Yepello Chocolates, a company out of Steamboat Springs. Quady will talk about how, since 1975, “keeping it sweet” has been the “raison d'etre” of her family's winery, which is located in the central valley of California where conditions support ripening Muscat grapes. She'll explain the difference between a Muscat (from which her father garnered the name “The Muscat King” from an English wine writer) and a Moscato.

Grand Tasting

Copper's Grand Tasting involves 17 different wineries, four to five spirit companies, Blue Moon, and Copper's culinary team of five restaurants presenting a buffet: Storm King will crown its California Rolls, JJs Rocky Mountain Tavern will stir up smoked pork green chili, Endo's will pump up its beef sliders with adrenaline sauce, Pizza Carlo will make Italian paninis, and CB Grille will put together a Spanish picnic baguette.

Sponsors, such as the Honey Smoked Fish Company out of Aurora, CO, will have a station for guests to sample their organic, farm-raised salmon. The family-owned business focuses on sustainability and feeding its fish high-quality, organic food. Salmon flavors include original, chipotle lime, Cajun and cracked pepper.

Michelle Cleveland will be representing Creekside Cellars, from Evergreen.

Though Colorado has nearly 100 winemakers, not all produce their wines from Colorado grapes; Creekside Cellar's wines are made from almost 100 percent Colorado-grown grapes.

When Cleveland started making wine in 1994, only about 20 Colorado wineries existed, she said. Wine has become more popular, especially amongst the 25- to 35-year-old crowd, and the concept of buying local has supported Colorado growth, she added. Plus, Colorado's growing area climates, characterized by hot days, cool nights and cold winters (which kill pests) make it a prime grape-growing area.

She will showcase both lighter and heavier style wines, as well as a wine, the 2008 Cabernet Franc, that has won awards but won't be publically released until Feb. 18.

She has known Davies for seven years and enjoys participating in Wine Country Network's festivals because it “draws crowds that can experience good products and not just get drunk,” she said. “We want to educate people, and Chris has a lot of experience.”