The Wines of Colorado
by
Terry Sullivan
Summary: From Highway 24, The Wines of Colorado appears to be like any other wine store. Upon closer inspection you’ll notice that this is not the usual wine shop you might expect. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the most unique wine shops in the country.
Pulling into the parking lot, we noticed a beautiful mural portraying grapes and wine bottles. Before entering the Wine of Colorado we spotted some rustic, heavy wood furniture and tasting bar. These were outdoors overlooking a creek and a hillside of trees. On entering the building, you are standing in a restaurant. This is not like any other wine shop. The restaurant has another large mural at the end of one wall. The large mural takes up an entire wall showing a brightly colored wine bottle scene. Allan Burton, a local artist, painted the murals on the inside and outside of the Wines of Colorado building.
Ambling into the next room, a tasting counter has several red Colorado wines open for tasting. A refrigerator on the side has several white wines opened for tasting. All the wines are from Colorado. Visitors are encouraged to taste wines. We met Marvin Parliament, owner, who said he has about 80% of the wineries in the state represented. The wineries that provide bottles for wine tastings sell well. People like to taste before they buy. “We offer a unique situation,” exclaims Marvin, “People who taste Colorado wines are surprised by them.” Marvin went on to explain that many visitors compare the wines to California wines. The Colorado wines do well in this comparison and offer an attractive price point.
While in the tasting area and retail area, visitors can walk along the stacks of wine marveling at the many wines and wineries represented. Wineries from all areas of the state are represented. Another section of the retail area has an assortment of wine-related gifts.
Marvin took us out the back door onto a deck and once again we observed that this is not the usual wine shop. There are tables and chairs where many customers prefer to eat rather than the enclosed part of the restaurant. Below this level there is a much larger deck with many more tables and chairs. It feels as though you have been transported from a wine shop to an outdoor restaurant in the middle of nature. Stones, trees and a bubbling creek run past the area. This is a favorite spot to have a meal and enjoy a bottle of wine.
We tasted a few wines wanting to taste wines from Colorado wineries we had not had a chance to visit.
Wines
Carmena by Alfred Eames Cellars was a dark ruby wine that had dark fruit on the aroma and taste. The wine was a blend of Carmine, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The winery is located near Paonia, Colorado. Two wines were tasted from S. Rhodes Vineyards in Hotchkiss, Colorado. The 2006 Claret was a dark ruby color. There were dark fruits with a touch of tobacco on the aroma and taste. The finish offered tannins and fruit. Their 2009 Pinot Noir was a light ruby color. The wine had red berry fruit on the aroma and taste. The finish was crisp with a lot of berry fruit aftertaste. Vanilla Sunset, produced by Dithyramb Winery in Centennial, Colorado is a honey wine. The color is pale and the aroma has honey with a touch of alcohol. The taste is smooth with notes of honey and vanilla. The back label informs readers that, “A Dithyramb (say DITH-UH-RAM) is a song sung to Dionysos, the Greek God of wine and esctasy.”
Tastings at The Wines of Colorado are complimentary. Between the tastings and the restaurant, visitors buy a lot of Colorado wine. Visit The Wines of Colorado for a tasting and spend some time in the restaurant and outside along the creek in this amazing outdoor area.
The restaurant menu includes something for everyone. Choices include a selection of appetizers, salads, soups, entrees and desserts. During the summer, the outdoor dining area along flowing Fountain Creek is a favorite spot for enjoying a meal.
When traveling on US Hwy 24, stop by Wines of Colorado shop to discover Colorado wines you have not tried before.
The Wines of Colorado
8045 West US Hwy 24
Cascade, Colorado 80809
GPS: N38º 53.775’ W104º 58.290’
Visit this Colorado lodging facility that partners with Wine Trail Traveler.
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