Kim Kolb
This year was kind of a let down. Got to the gate to get in, got my glass but I had a feeling I was missing something. Everyone entering the gate felt they were missing something. We were, A BAG to put our wine that we purchased in. What wine festival doesn't hand out a bag.. Oh, now wait... Those that prepaid got a bag, but a bag without wine pouches so it was like a grocery bag... yeah, that was just as bad. I have NEVER been to a festival that didn't give out a Wine Bag! No wine bag means people don't buy wine because they certainly don't want to carry it. Luckily there were a couple of places, like Turquoise Mesa and White Water Hill who thought to bring bags because they said that the Vino and Notes Festival had done this before. So thank you both because I was able to purchase wine to take home. If I missed any other wineries providing this service "Thanks" as well! In know the patrons appreciated it! I had a few issues with where the food and potties were placed, but no need to keep complaining! :)
Now... On to the fun stuff!
My Buddy Bret, who is the winemaker and owner from Stoney Mesa was our first tent. Always nice to chat with him. Go online line and order the Ptarmigan Cab from Bret, it is AWESOME!..Next we stopped at Garrett Estate Cellars, Mitch is the Marketing Person for Garrett and he is a hoot! We picked up his 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and his 2009 Merlot. Both great wines!
At this point I think we stopped for food because we needed lunch. After eating we hit a few other spots that were new, like Bethlehem Vineyards... Bill, I believe, I had never met before. then we stopped at Black Forest Meadery... that was different. Not quite a Meade person, but it wasn't bad. If you live in the Springs, stop in and visit them in Black Forest. Then my Wine Buddy Cynthia got caught by the guy selling jewelry...
Then we stopped at Turquoise Mesa and I met Tom's Wife, Mary Joan and their daughter. Tom was manning the fort back in
Denver. I would like to think I helped them sell out of their Mourvedre, since I pretty much shouted that they only had 5 bottles left... One person bought two or three! Yeah! I'm not shy, but you probably already guessed that!Next we stopped and saw our buddies from Mountain View Winery... Mike is the Owner and Winemaker and Dave is his Wine Pourer and bottle finisher! Hee hee... anyway, Dave presented Cynthia and I with handmade cutting boards that he built. See Dave is a cabinet maker and made these for us from his scraps of Oak, Cherry, Maple, and all kinds of other woods... Dave we love them! Oh, and my Dave loved it as well! You are such a Gem! We bought the new wine from Mountain View called Uncompaghre (cherry merlot), Means Mud in Ute! All I know is it is GOOD!
Next I had to stop in at White Water Hill and visited my Wine Elf Christie! She is such a cutie and a hoot! Had to buy the Ethereal from them... Why is it that I like the most expensive items?! Give it a try, it is GREAT! Thanks again Nancy for bringing the Bags!In between all this time, I think we ate again and headed down towards the exit where we stopped in on Varaison Vineyards! We visited with Alex who is the Assistant Wine Maker to Dad Ron! Let me tell you, Alex knows his stuff! We bought the Bin 405 2007 Merlot! Wheww... that is a BIG wine! Just think of a piece of chocolate laying on your tongue and melting... Yep, that is the same thing. Of course we had to get a photo of the cool truck they came in.
I would say, aside from the "No Bag" issue, the day ended well.. Cynthia did not even come close to Pavement Planking! We stopped in at the local Starbucks, grabbed a coffee and headed down the mountain... Until next year my friends!Be watching for my wine reviews... I have successfully filled my 30 bottle wine fridge and now will start reviewing all the Colorado, Oregon and Washington wines I have purchased this summer.
Leave a comment if you went to the festival or have tried any of the wines or visited any of the wineries!
Until next time!
