Colorado culture dictates that a cold, local craft beer is the proper celebration to just about every outdoor endeavor, be it hiking, biking, kayaking or climbing.
Maybe it’s time to consider a Colorado wine to toast to a job well done.
Don’t know anything about local wine? The folks at the Colorado Association of Viticulture and Enology would love to fix that staring with the second annual Colorado Wine Week, which runs June 3-9.
The end of the week is the most important, with the second annual Colorado Urban Winefest ($44) on June 9 taking over at Sculpture Park in front of the Denver Performing Arts Complex. It’s the sister festival to the two-decade old Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade each September.
Beyond the unlimited sampling from 42 wineries — the fest runs from noon-6 p.m. — Urban Winefest will feature a bevy of wine educational opportunities throughout that will help you buy a Colorado wine with as much confidence as you run up Sanitas after work. Which is to say a lot, right?
Colorado Wine Week, a distinction bestowed by Gov. Hickenlooper, is also in its second year and will include participation from more than three-dozen restaurants and wine shops along the Front Range.
Colorado Wine Week highlights include:
- $15 Colorado wine and food pairings from June 3-9 at more than two dozen restaurants including Linger, Salt, Row 14 and the Buckhorn Exchange
- A Colorado Wine Cocktail Celebration at Colt & Gray featuring four top Denver bartenders mixing up local wine-inspired cocktails. 6-9 p.m. June 4 at Colt & Gray, 1553 Platte St., Denver. $5, cocktails and small snacks will be on special
- Colorado Wine Farmers Market with five Colorado wineries. Yes, a wine farmers’ market, which means you can buy wine by the glass or take a bottle or two home with you. Burgers, wine and cheese will be available, too. 4-8 p.m. June 6 at Highland Tap & Burger, 2219 W. 32nd Ave., Denver. Free
Once you pass this Colorado Wine Week initiation, take the next step and reach for a Colorado Cabernet Franc after hiking your next 14er.
