Sample Wine at the Winter Park Winery
“Winemaking is where science meets art. It’s a total marriage of the two,” says owner of Winter Park Winery, Jon Brickner. A hard core Coloradoan, Jon is always eager to take advantage of the outdoors. The label on the 2007 Riesling shows his passion for trout fishing.
Tired of tires, the master winemaker at Winter Park Winery says he knew he had a knack for fermenting grapes. “I love science and I love art and winemaking is a total marriage of the two,” says winemaker Jon Brickner. Jon was selling tires to mining and excavating companies but wanted a different lifestyle. But it wasn’t until he saved up enough cash that the Winter Park Winery came to full fruition in 2004.
Moving in truckloads of flavorful grapes from Palisade, Jon started creating reds, whites, ports and what would eventually become reserve top-shelf wines. Take a look at the labels and you will learn a lot about the master winemaker. Jon’s artistic wife designs each one, to showcase either a hobby or favorite spot of Jon’s. As a professional cyclist, one of his favorite hobbies is of course biking. Ranked as the 35th fastest cross-country mountain biker in the country, Jon attempted to make the Olympic team. He didn’t make the cut but brings in his love for the outdoors on several labels.
Music also makes his wheels spin. The name “Grateful Red” came to Jon during a winemaking session. “I was playing these f.m. tapes and Jerry Garcia came on the radio,” remembers Jon. “Of course I wanted to pay my respect back so we named a wine that incorporated the band.” Come in on certain nights and you may even see Jon playing some guitar at his own version of an open mic. night.
Inside the taproom, there is room for about 20 people, making this a quaint spot to get your wine tasting on. From the bar cleverly made out of wine barrels, you can see into the wine making room. All of the wine is made and bottled in house. When it’s time to bottle, friends and volunteers head over to work in exchange of wine!
From the abundance of wines to try, here are three we loved.
2011 Chenin Blanc: Dry white. Hints of sage with a low acidity.
2007 Grateful Red Tasting: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot blend. Smooth tannin with berry undertones.
2007 Merlot: Earthy flavor backed up with berry flavors. Creamy mouth feel with nice tannin.
(Tasting Prices: $5 for 5 tastes; $25 for 5 tastes of the reserve wine and a glass you can keep; $5 full Glass $12 full Glass of reserve wine)
395 Zerex Street
Fraser, CO 80442
970.726.4514
