Whether you are an enthusiast or a connoisseur, there is something to relish at the annual Colorado Springs Wine Festival. This year’s festival will be held at The Broadmoor and features the wines of South America. What sets this festival apart is the collaboration of the arts, music, wine and food, “and how fun it is to really enjoy them together,” says Ashley Greeno, festival organizer and director of development for the Colorado Springs Conservatory, the nonprofit partner organization of the festival for the past nine years.
Each festival event is individually ticketed, so participants create their own personalized experience geared to their interests. The Broadmoor is offering a discounted room rate so festival goers can make a weekend of it, filled with easy access to festival events as well as the resort’s world-class distinctive shops, five-star spa, championship golf course and collection of restaurants, cafes and lounges.
The festival was founded 34 years ago by Michelle Talarico, founder and owner of Picnic Basket Catering Collective, and Jim Little, co-founder and owner of Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits. “The different seminars, dinners and lunches show you how perfectly wine can pair with a number of different food items or occasions,” says Little. “They [wines] really become part of the meal.”
All the events feature the finest selections of wines representing the region. “What specifically intrigued us about the South American wines was the quality of a lot of the wines,” says Little. The region is renowned for its Torrontés, Carménère and Malbecs.
Cocktails & ICONS is the festival kickoff event, combining a concert with a cocktail class. South American-themed cocktails will be featured this year. The entertainment includes Conservatory mentors and alumni as well as the famous singing bartenders at local venue and piano bar, ICONS.
The biggest event of the festival is the Grand Tasing, featuring over 300 wines and 20 of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. “The food is great, the wine is great, the music’s fun,” says Greeno with enthusiasm. Truly a grand event, this exciting night is designed to sip, savor and explore wine while dancing the night away.
The festival also features intimate seminars led by winemakers who guide participants through appreciating the region. The wine and cheese seminar is about pairing this delicious duo while another demonstrates the difference a glass can make to the flavor and aroma of wine.
Greeno describes the festival finale, the Gala Dinner & Live Auction, as “phenomenal.” It features a five-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings and includes featured winemakers and performances by Conservatory alumni, students and faculty. A live auction of rare and one-of-a-kind collectible wines and wine-related travel and lifestyle packages completes the evening.
The proceeds of every festival support the arts community and, this year, the Colorado Springs Conservatory is the beneficiary. The Conservatory offers art programs and opportunities to youth through afterschool programs, collaboration with other local organizations, such as Inside Out Youth Services, and arts education to 1,800 students in local schools without arts programs.
At last year’s festival, every event sold out. Purchase tickets early for this four-day celebration of exceptional wine, food and the arts.
