Patric Matysiewski, winemaker and co-founder of Sauvage Spectrum, says making wine is one part skill and one part art. Plus the grapes of course, and then a setting to enjoy it like in the high alpine community of Ouray, Colorado; this all makes for a truly special blend.

“From snowboarding or climbing on the Via Ferrata to blending barrels mid-afternoon, I can guarantee there is no other experience such as making wine in Colorado,” shares Matysiewski.

Founded in Palisade with a vineyard, winery and tasting room, Sauvage Spectrum has opened a new wine lounge in Ouray next to the historic Wright Opera House. And why wait until summer to toast everything there is to love about Colorado wine? Enter the Ouray Winter Wine Festival — a new event that’s sure to add a swirl of celebration to the season.

Join local winemakers, wine lovers, musicians, culinary sensations and artists for the first Ouray Winter Wine Festival on February 11, 2023. For one evening at Wright Opera House, guests will have the opportunity to delight in wines and spirits from eight wineries — Sauvage Spectrum, Chill Switch Wines, LaNoue DuBois Winery, Vines 79 Wine Barn, The Storm Cellar, Stoney Mesa Winery, Sutcliffe Vineyards and Qutori Wines — and two distilleries — Clark & Co’s Distilling and Storm King Distilling Co — all of which are from Colorado’s Western Slope.

Enjoy live music from Colorado’s own Elevated Acoustic and Sound and The Messenger, as well as food from Beyond the Board, Bonfire Oyster and Brrrnana, plus miniature chocolate masterpieces from Alpen Confections. Attendees will experience interactive retail such as permanent jewelry from Rose Bird Designs, hands-on customization from Natalia’s Hat Bar and art demonstrations from Adams Artco.

“Naturally we'd include our local artists who are also makers, true craftspeople of their trade, such as we are with grapes,” saysMatysiewski. “This Ouray Winter Wine Festival is unique in the sense that not only can you sample and purchase bottles of wine and spirit, but you can also get a glimpse of these interactive artisans crafting locally produced goods for sale.”

Krysta Cossitt, event partner and organizer, is excited for this team to bring the event to the town of Ouray.

“The festival has been curated to evoke an intimate, approachable and cozy experience for attendees,” says Cossitt. “We want attendees to be able to experience each wine at their leisure rather than being rushed to move onto the next wine. Attendees are encouraged to converse with the winemakers and learn what makes a great winter wine. There will be several fireside seating vignettes throughout the venue creating a space where attendees can sip a glass of wine and converse with new and old friends, just like you were in the comfort of your living room.”

General admission to the festival will include a wine tote and custom wine glass that guests can use for product samples from the wineries and distilleries. For $55, you can attend session one from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For $90, you can choose session two from 4 to 8 p.m.; session two includes general admission plus appetizers. For a buffet, music, wine and the opportunity to mingle with the winemakers you can add the VIP party at Sauvage Spectrum from 8 to 10 p.m. to your session two ticket for an extra $60.

“Coming in from the cold and warming up next to a fire with a glass of red wine is an amazing feeling,” adds Cossitt, “and we want everyone that attends the Ouray Winter Wine Festival to feel that.”

Learn more and get tickets at ouraywinterwinefestival.com.

Warm Up At Colorado’s Newest Winter Wine Festival