While a wine tour of Southern France may sound like a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, there’s no need to jump on a plane when you can taste the European grapes at the Wine Festival of Colorado Springs. This year’s rendition, happening March 8-10, is themed “The Wines of Southern France.”
The 26-year-old wine festival is a mix of seminars, lunches, tastings and dinners, all centered around wine. People are welcome to attend one or many of the events. The Grand Tasting at The Broadmoor is the largest event of the weekend, featuring more than 300 wines, as well as bites from local restaurants and caterers. Typically between 800 to 1,000 people attend.
“It always seems to get better,” says organizing committee chair Elizabeth Youngquist. “It gets better and bigger, and we still sell everything out.”
Youngquist suggests attending the “Tasting the Masters Way” seminar Friday afternoon to learn about tasting wines before heading to the Grand Tasting. Another highlight this year is a lunch prepared by chef Brother Luck, owner of Four by Brother Luck and competitor on Bravo TV’s Top Chef. The lunch will include six courses paired with six featured wines.
All proceeds from the festival benefit the Colorado Springs Conservatory. And all of the musical entertainment is provided by Conservatory students, mentors and alumni.
“The Conservatory is a great partner, and we always have music, students singing,” Youngquist says. “They’re very involved in the festival.”
Wine Festival of Colorado Springs 2018 Schedule
March 8, 2018
Rosé All Day? How About All YEAR! 5:30 p.m.
March 9, 2018
Lunch with Luck, 12 p.m.
Tasting the Masters Way, 5:30 p.m.
The Wines of Southern France, 5:30 p.m.
Grand Tasting, 7 p.m.
March 10, 2018
“Fromage et Vin” Wine and Cheese, 11 a.m.
Gourmet Wine Dinner and Live Auction, 6:30 p.m.
Info and Tickets
Reservations required for all events except the Grand Tasting.
csconservatory.org/events or 719-577-4556
