The Court of Master Sommeliers was established in April 1977 to encourage improved standards of beverage service, particularly wine + food pairing, in hotels and restaurants. The Little Nell opened on Thanksgiving of 1989 and in our 30-year history, 10 staff members have earned the esteemed Master Sommelier diploma, more than any other establishment in… Read more
How The Little Nell Wine Academy Can Elevate Your Wine Game Wines were tasted. Toasts were made. Friendships were forged. And, at the end of the 2019 Little Nell Wine Academy, a group of 14 wine connoisseurs from across the country celebrated their graduation from what has quickly become a cornerstone of wine education. The… Read more
The Little Nell has long been a trendsetter for noteworthy dining experiences. Aspen guests come with sophisticated palates, but they also want food that will serve as fuel. A vacation in Aspen can involve lounging at the pool, but more often, the draw is early gondola rides and long powder runs. Because of these preferences,… Read more
The wine program at The Nell is known around the world for acquiring sought-after bottles, recommending varietals, and setting trends in the industry. Recently I sat down with Carlton McCoy, Master Sommelier at The Little Nell, to discuss a rather new aspect of the wine program: The Little Nell’s Wine Cellar. Whether you’ve been visiting… Read more
Progressive yet traditional; classic although contemporary; with a magnetic draw while having a taste of Wild West. Aspen is an eclectic mountain town unlike any other and while this unique place welcomes newcomers and out-of-box innovation, maintaining Aspen’s farm to fork network is what stabilizes and guides the sustainable growth. One central branch of that… Read more
Food & Wine Classic In its 35 years, the FOOD & WINE Classic has turned Aspen from an alpine escape with decent eats to a coveted stop on the gourmet circuit. Each June, celebrity chefs and sommeliers land in Aspen for a three-day festival of seminars, demonstrations, parties, and tastings — all focused on what’s… Read more
There’s the Aspen that people read about, and then there’s the Aspen that visitors actually experience. Between the star-studded slopes and exhilarating sports exist the cultural gems that elevate a visit to Aspen from super to superb. These unique things to do in Aspen often get overlooked so we’re bringing them to the forefront. When… Read more
After decamping to Manhattan in 2013, Hardy returns in December to kick-off The Little Nell’s 2nd Annual Guest Chef Dinner Series. An excerpt from Aspen Sojourner, by Laurel Miller. Food-loving locals and devotees of The Little Nell still look back fondly on former executive chef Ryan Hardy’s tenure. The chef, who helmed Montagna (now Element… Read more
The RSVPs are in, the menu is finalized, and the vows written (hopefully). It’s one week before the wedding, and time to start enjoying the build-up with some downtime. Make sure to leave enough room for all the proper pampering, and then kick off the celebrations Aspen-style. Here’s our week before the wedding planning guide… Read more
Winter and summer in Aspen may be the peak seasons for recreational activity, when cultural events of all kinds hit their stride and restaurants brim with activity, but the shoulder seasons are also special in their own right. Coined the “Secret Season” by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, mid-May to mid-June offers a more relaxed… Read more
