Wine Training Sessions West Elks AVA, Wine Pairing and Vineyard Tours West Elks AVA

970-349-7577
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Hello!

Its' been a long hiatus since I last posted an update. How can life be busier without a full time job…?

WHAT WE’VE BEN DOING:

The Timberline restaurant and The eVine hosted a Colorado Food & Wine tasting during the CBLT Wine & Food Festival on July 23^rd and we filled all 40 seats! A. Eames wine maker/owner of “A. Eames Cellars” - Paonia, was the guest wine maker and participants enjoyed listening to Eames and his lovely wife Pam talk about their passion for what they do and where they live. The wines of Steve Rhodes -Hotchkiss, were featured as well. Voted favorites were A. Eames Syrah, A. Eames “Collage” and S. Rhodes Cab Franc, all available in crested Butte; Other wines from A. Eames and S. Rhodes are also available locally. The eVine also distributes the wines of Black Bridge Winery, 5680 Vineyards and Leroux Creek Winery in Crested Butte and Gunnison, so variety is not lacking. For those who like dessert wines, “Apres-Vous” and “Noche”, two fortified “Ports” made by Leroux Creek and A. Eames respectively are also on local shelves and they are delicious.

It is good to see people interested in and supporting the CO food and wine industry. For a long time Colorado's reputation was held in higher esteem primarily outside the state where Colorado wines have garnered awards in competitions throughout the country, some of which had international entries. The old stigma that CO wines aren't very good is thankfully changing in Colorado and right here in Crested Butte as well. Many people are very surprised by their quality, in particular those from the North Fork Valley , our neighbor wine country known as The West Elks AVA, an area I favor for its natural beauty and higher altitude. Vineyards in the North Fork Valley reside between 5800 and 6400 ft and enjoy a cool climate. This slows the maturation process of the grapes and preserves the acids fundamental to wine-making.

The Timberline Restaurant led the way last summer and now more restaurants in Crested Butte and Gunnison are featuring Colorado wines both by the glass and on their bottle list. I invite you to support their efforts and order CO wine when you dine at the following establishments:

In Crested Butte: Timberline (happy hour = 1/2 off on CO wines), The Bacchanale, Ginger Cafe, Le Bosquet and Soupcon.

The Elk Mountain Lodge, Maxwell’s and Marchitelli’s Gourmet Noodle also feature CO wines periodically.

In Gunnison: Garlic Mike's has been extremely supportive and features CO wines on a regular basis.

Local stores have also been very supportive and most have expanded their CO selection this summer. Naturally, the small CO wineries can not compete with the big boys in California so those wines cost a few more dollars than most of us everyday price range but they probably fit most of us "once a week" budget and they are a great “boutique” product, one that reflects the winemakers pride and care. They are a must when dining with out of state guests and of course, make a sensible CO gift. Like handcrafted microbrew can not be compared to mass-produced Budweiser , CO wines hold a different place in the market than those under $12 bottles with cute animals on the label and tasted next to each other, the price difference justifies itself. As with good chocolate and good coffee, once acquainted with quality, one soon prefers to eat or drink less of "it" and/or less often rather than save a few bucks and settle for mediocrity.

NEXT ON THE AGENDA

2^nd ANNUAL WINE TRAIL FESTIVAL IN PAONIA AND HOTCHKISS, AUG. 5^TH TO 8^TH.

We will be working A. Eames "Dinner in the Vineyard” event Fri 6^th (which may have sold out...?) and at Steve Rhodes new tasting room Fri, Sat and Sunday. We may find ourselves drawn to Leroux Creek Vineyard Sat evening and lend a hand to Yvon who is also hosting a “Dinner in the Vineyard”. Yvon is French so he can cook!

So, come and see us or do your own tour in Paonia and Hotchkiss this coming week-end!! Full schedule of events here: http://www.paoniachamber.com/

WINE CLASSES

Will resume late August or early September. Look for updates here and for an ad in the local newspaper. In the meantime, The eVIne can cater to your group and help you create your very own private event so contact us anytime.

We hope to see you soon;

Enjoy the rest of your summer and the rain too as it may bring us local mushrooms to enjoy with local wines!

Thank-you

Eliane

for personal or professional settings

in your home (or location of your choice)

to optimize wine sales by teaching your staff basic or advanced wine knowledge

for your special events, private parties or cellar

at your upcoming event or private party

from the West Elks AVA of the North Fork Valley

of the West Elks Wineries in Hotchkiss and Paonia

To awaken or further educate your palate and gain knowledge and confidence in a fun non-intimidating environment

A GREAT excuse to gather with FRIENDS!

Make your parties (Girls night, Birthdays etc) more interesting and more fun

or call 970-349-7577 for more information, to schedule your own event and to find-out about future classes.

Note: The sooner an event is scheduled the better especially if you have specific wine and food requests which may require special ordering. Special wine requests take at least one week.

Updates

Wine Pairing is also available for your own dinner party!
Please call or email for a quote on consulting fees and hourly rates for working the event.

Gift Certificates Available!