Over the years I have come to enjoy wines as much as drinking beer and recently this theory has been tested with the wines of three wineries in Metro Denver.
While researching this assignment, my husband, Larry, and I stumbled on the grand opening of a winery in Denver, the Balistreri Vineyards. They have been in business since the year 2000 but on a very small scale so on February 26, 2012, was their grand opening of their new facility. The event was a welcoming gesture from the Balistreri family where wine tasting and appetizers were on them. This was our first time at the winery and the wines were as impressive as their new building. The event was held on the main floor of the winery. The atmosphere of the winery was airy and exuded warmth even with the cathedral windows and wood beamed ceiling.
There were two stations to taste their wines with four whites and eighteen reds wines; each pour was about an ounce of wine. I have to admit that Colorado wines have surprised me more than once since moving here from California. I tasted eight wines that day, seven reds, and one white. My favorite was the 2010 Colorado Sangiovese with fruit notes and spicy dry finish but we both agreed that 2010 Colorado Syrah was an excellent wine that we later purchased. It is a smooth red with peppery notes and smoke finish. Another wine we enjoyed was the 2008 Colorado Late Harvest Merlot; this one had sweet and spicy notes on first sip and finished with dry fruits.
The Balistreri Vineyards are a family owned winery with the wine master, the patriarch John Balistreri. The wines are made with grapes from the western slope of Colorado and from Lodi, California. Their wines are without sulfites for those allergic to the chemical compound. Sulfites are a preservative that is needed if the wines are exported long distances and it helps keep batches of wines consistent from year to year. It is also associated with wine headaches.
The grand opening event had a friendly, family environment that was inviting to all guest.
In Boulder Colorado I have found two wineries that are just as spectacular in the wines as the Balistreri Vineyards. Boulder Creek Winery is another small winery nestled in an industrial park in Gunbarrel that is eight miles from Boulder, Colorado.
Boulder Creek Winery has been in business since 2003. A husband and wife team, Mike and Jackie Thompson own the winery. Mike is the manager while Jackie is the winemaker who has known from early on that this was her future. We were introduced to the couple and chatted about wine making.
The tasting room was small and dark, reminiscent of a wine cellar where a glass window separates the tasting room with the wine making room that has metal vats of fermenting wine.
Sheri, our wine server was very knowledgeable and friendly, made us feel at ease. The eight wines being tasted that day were categorized as dry wines and sweet wines, which seemed logical but most wineries, divide their wines as whites, reds, and dessert. The atmosphere at Boulder Creek Winery was friendly and inviting where questions were answered while enjoying their wines.
We bought three bottles from Boulder Creek, Murphy’s Choice; a silver medal winner that was a smooth, full-bodied red and was one of our favorites. A gold medal winner, Zinfandel Port was another red wine we enjoyed. It is made with late harvest Zinfandel grapes with a rich flavor of raisin and fig. The port is served in a small aperitif glass with two chocolate covered coffee beans. It is recommended to eat one bean after sipping the port. The last bottle of wine we tasted was the Consensus Reserve, a barrel-select blend of four wines, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The wine selection for the Consensus was a vote from the wine club members.
The third winery on the list is Bookcliff Vineyards is located in North Boulder in an industrial park. Their tasting room is small and well lit with a complete complement of wines to taste. The wine servers are knowledgeable and eager to answer all your questions about any of the Bookcliff Vineyards wines.
The Cabernet Franc Reserve was a favorite of mine, with smooth full-body and just the right amount of tannins.
I have only scratched the surface of wineries in Metro Denver. On the subject of Colorado wineries, my curiosity won’t wane.