Pours Less Traveled

There is nothing more invigorating than traveling. The mystery of the unknown and the discoveries that will be made bring a sense of hope and excitement few other things can achieve.

               Each winter, as the Christmas lights twinkle and the snow signals the door closing to another year, my husband and I figure out where we want the new year to take us. After a 2022 weeklong road trip that took us through four different states, we decided to focus this year’s explorations on the state we both grew up in. With more and more people flocking to Colorado, destroying what it used to be, we both know that our days of living here are dwindling, so we wanted to take the time to see those mystical places we had yet to see.

               This past week took us to Steamboat Springs. An exit sign we pass along I70 every time we are heading out to visit my family, we had both heard about Steamboat, but realized neither of us had ever been. Randomly picking two days in June, we booked a night at the Rabbit Ears Motel and started plotting out our course for adventure.

               Over the last few years, we have discovered the joys of a more relaxed style of traveling. After booking hotels and the occasional ghost tour, we research and jot down all activities that could be fun and discuss each of our “must dos” and our “if we have times.” The night before, we outline a loose agenda, making sure to not put a time limit on anything, unless it’s absolutely necessary. For me, my “must do” this go around included stopping by the Elevated Olive of Steamboat to snag a couple bottles of Steamboat Winery vino, and my “if we have time” was stopping by the Winter Park Winery on our way home. I’m thrilled to report that we accomplished both.

               When I had first started planning our overnight jaunt, I had been stoked to see that Steamboat Springs had a winery. That excitement turned to disappointment, though, when I discovered that they only do in-home group tastings, and a tasting at a local restaurant on a day of the week we would not be there. A bottle of Steamboat wine would be the ultimate souvenir, and who knew if I would ever be back to this mountain town, let alone with a group large enough to do a tasting. Noticing that they deliver to locals, I emailed to find out if they would be willing to deliver a couple of bottles to the hotel. I was ecstatic when they quickly replied that the Elevated Olive of Steamboat, a mere two-minute walk from the hotel we were staying at, carried their wines.

               Upon entering the store, primarily known for their olive oils and balsamic vinaigrettes, I knew I was in heaven. Olive oils, teas, pastas, and a small wine bottle area greeted me. The woman running the shop led me to the Steamboat Winery area and gave me a couple of suggestions based on my wine preferences. Telling myself I was only going to buy two bottles since I was unable to try them first, I quickly selected the Hens Pinot Noir 2019, my favorite grape, and the Antlers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, one of her recommendations. A third bottle, along with two of the local Elkstone teas, came home with me as well, as my eyes kept getting drawn to the Rodeo Merlot 2018, and I knew I would regret not buying it. And, it was a good thing I did, as popping the cork upon our return home greeted with me a delicious, fruit-forward wine with notes of raspberry, plum, and an herbal kick similar to mint. It has been the perfect sip as I have reflected on our wonderful little getaway.

               The other wine adventure was at the Winter Park Winery. From our humble abode, there were about four different routes we could take to get to Steamboat Springs. We started by heading through the Poudre Canyon along CO-14 where we got to see Walden, the “moose viewing capital of Colorado”, where we did indeed see a couple moose. We decided to take I70 on our way home, and I was delighted to see that one of the routes led us right past the winery located in Fraser. I had sadly missed out on this place last year, and at that point, didn’t know if I would ever be back by it. Luck was with me.

               Over roads with beautiful mountain views, we ended up at this rustic little tasting room that just screamed it was a winery in a ski town. The walls were adorned with a local artist’s work, which we were so excited to see a painting of the hotel we had just stayed in right next to a painting of the Stanley Hotel, where we had got married at. The tasting option offered five pre-selected wines, which that day included the Chenin Blanc Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, a red blend called Grateful Red, and their port style wine. During the tasting, the owner told us that he gets all of his grapes from the West Coast area and makes the wines in the building where the tastings take place. My personal favorites were the Cabernet and the Tempranillo, with the Grateful Red stealing the show with its smooth and delicious flavors coursing over the tongue like a gentle melody. Knowing that there was a good chance I may never be back, I bought a bottle of all three, and am slightly kicking myself for not buying two bottles of the Grateful Red.

               I found a real sense of peace while we drove along roads uncrowded with the usual hubbub of traffic that is overtaking our state. As a wine lover, it is easy to get caught up in the need to choose areas that are steeped in the wine world, but sometimes taking a step back and experiencing pours less traveled is the most rewarding experience of all. Today, I raise my glass to all of those wine havens creating magic in the most unexpected of places.