Like the bottles on its wine list, Vast just gets better with age. Since its opening in 2012, offering panoramic city views from its perch on the 49th and 50th floors of the Devon Tower, the high-flying restaurant has constantly raised the bar on destination dining that caters to visitors and Oklahomans alike. Its wine program, in particular, was an early pioneer in OKC’s now-booming wine scene, and through Vast’s ongoing wine dinner series, the restaurant continues to reach new heights.
Wine dinners in OKC are not an inherent novelty nowadays, but the intentionality that Vast pours into its collaborations and themes is on another level. Held quarterly, if not more often, dinners are thoughtfully timed to highlight the seasons and showcase new pairings, and on the occasions that special winemakers or owners are in Oklahoma, the restaurant adds extra events.
“For us, the focus is always on quality over quantity, ensuring we highlight the very best wineries and create experiences worth remembering,” explained General Manager Evan Askey, describing the dinners as a “true communal experience,” with guests gathered at shared tables. “Each evening, our chefs showcase their creativity by experimenting with new techniques and unique flavor pairings, while our winery partners elevate the experience with selections rarely found in the market, ranging from unreleased wines to treasured library vintages.”
By tapping its established network within the wine industry, and working with suppliers to determine which winemakers are visiting Oklahoma, Vast is able to create dinners that connect guests directly with the people behind the wines. “We always strive to partner with wineries that have an Oklahoma connection, whether through local ownership, winemakers with Oklahoma roots, or suppliers who focus on building their presence here,” said Askey, noting wineries like Titus Vineyards, Nickel & Nickel, Stoller and Argot. “While Oklahoma isn’t traditionally known as a wine country, you’ll find Oklahomans at the heart of some of the world’s most celebrated regions, from Willamette to Napa, Sonoma to Paso Robles—working as winemakers, owners and vineyard managers. Our wine dinners are a way to honor that story while bringing the best of the wine world home to Oklahoma.”
In addition to traditional wine dinners, Vast has begun incorporating more themed affairs, to make wine and spirits more approachable to new audiences. Like an NBA Finals dinner in June, in partnership with Jackson Family Wines, that featured meet-and-greets with former Norman North and OU star Trae Young and NBA writer Marc Spears. In September, it collaborated with Flowers Winery on a playful pairing of wine and bouquet-making. Tmhe recent vodka-infused “Girl Dinner” event sold out so quickly two more evenings were added. Askey said, “By adding these unexpected twists, we aim to make wine more fun, engaging and memorable for all. These evenings are about connection, discovery and celebrating the joy of wine and food together.”
As Vast continues to bring fresh ideas to the table after more than a decade, it is currently putting the finishing touches on its holiday menu and events. Chef Danh Do said, “Our goal for the rest of the year is to display dishes that reflect the combined culinary talents of our team; a menu that will reflect our unique combination of knowledge and continued curiosity of the culinary world. As we grow, so will our menu.”
