When most folks think of a taking a trip to spend some time tasting wine, they may fly to Tuscany or Napa Valley, but you may not know that all you have to do is head North from central Denver. A ten minute drive from Downtown and you have an opportunity to visit with one of the warmest, and most welcoming families I have ever met. As well as, taste some of the most unique, flavorful, and easy drinking wines I have sampled.
Balistreri Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery that was established in 1998, however, they are far from transplants. John Balistreri’s family has been in the Denver area since the early 1900’s. They specialize in handcrafted wine that is produced one barrel at a time. And if you like natural, you could not choose a more appropriate winery. Balistreri wines are hand-picked, crushed and fermented with natural wild yeast. With numerous medals and awards under their belt they have successfully managed to put Colorado wines on the map. John Balistreri, his wife Birdie, and their daughter Julie run the show and have a way of making you feel like you have personally been invited to a family get together every time you visit.
I have had the opportunity to get to know Julie Balistreri a little bit over the last few months, and it has truly been my pleasure. In fact, I have only met a handful of people like Julie in my lifetime. She has that rare and special personality, disarming charm, smarts, and a smile that makes you smile right back. Today I spent a few hours with Julie at Balistreri Vineyards, taking photos, trying wine, and enjoying the company. A few weeks back she was nice enough to sit down and answer some questions for TUSK.
TUSK: How long has Balistreri Vineyards been around?
Our Winery was started in 1998 and we produced our first 22 barrels of wine, approximately 500 cases. We now produce over 5,000 cases of wine per year.
TUSK: I love that Balistreri Vineyards is so close to town, why did you all decide to choose your location in the heart of Denver?
My dad’s family has been here since the early 1900’s. They used to farm much of the land around here. In 1965, my mom & dad started growing cut flowers, so we’ve always been here. We used to make homemade wine here. We like our centrally located location and we don’t see any reason to move. Our grapes come from the Western Slope of Colorado on refrigerated trucks so we do not have to be located where the grapes are grown.
TUSK: What’s your favorite part of running a Vineyard?
I really enjoy sharing the wines that we love and drink with others.
TUSK: What makes Balistreri Vineyards unique?
Our wines are made completely natural. Our grapes are hand-picked, crushed and fermented with the natural wild yeast. They are also unfined, unfiltered, unaltered by sulfites, and barrel-aged in American Oak. It is very difficult to find wines made as natural as ours.
TUSK: What percentage of your grapes are from Colorado?
98% of our grapes are grown in Colorado.
TUSK: What makes Colorado grapes different or special?
The Colorado red varietals tend to have intense, complex flavors that have a spiciness that shows through in the wines from many of our vineyards.
TUSK: What is your favorite varietal?
One of my favorite varietals is Syrah because Colorado Syrah’s tend to have such brilliant spice to them.
TUSK: What is the best glass of wine you have ever had?
Totally unfair question. There are so many.
For more information on Balistreri Vineyards, got to www.balistrerivineyards.com or just stop by. The Winery is open for tasting and tours seven days a week from 12-5pm.
BALISTRERI VINEYARDS
1946 E. 66th Avenue, Denver, CO 80229
Phone: 303-287-5156
Toll Free: 1-866-896-9620
www.balistrerivineyards.com
Balistreri Vineyards is open 7 days a week from 12 - 5 p.m. They offer complimentary tasting and tours of their wine cellar and facility. During the summer months (June 1st through September 30th) you can order antipasti from their patio menu.
