Mesa Verde Country’s Wine, Food & Art Festival

In Mesa Verde Country® we know the best way to discover more about wine, food and art is to experience it — one sip, one bite, one canvas at a time. Join us August 24 -26, in Cortez, Colorado as we uncork another exceptional season filled with southwestern flavor, food and flair at the Mesa Verde Country® Wine, Food and Art Festival.

While sampling the fruit of the vine is a delicious highlight, there’s more to enjoy at the festival, including music, local artists and food. Wood-fired pizzas will be available for purchase.  Sample hand crafted breads, cheeses and infused olive oils, as well as local jams, jellies, and mustards. Don’t neglect to treat your eyes as well as your palate; as artists from around the region gather to showcase their work adding a dynamic and diverse visual component to the festival. Throughout the day Thomas Martin Scott will entertain crowds with his brand of heartfelt blues-rock with a touch of jazz.

The Festival opens on Friday, August 24, with a true gourmet experience — the Winemaker’s dinner at Nero’s Mediterranean Grill in downtown Cortez.  The four-course menu pairs cheeses, swordfish, “Kobe” beef, and dark chocolate with Colorado wines carefully selected to match each course. Reservations are required and space is limited. The dinner is $75 per person and includes tax and gratuity. Check out the complete dinner menu at www.mesaverdecountry.com or call 970-565-8227 to reserve your spot.

On Saturday, August 25, head to Cortez City Park between 12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m. to swirl, sip, and purchase wines from these fine Colorado vintners: Guy Drew Vineyards, DeBeque Canyon Winery, Mountain View Winery, Whitewater Hills, Cottonwood Cellars, Mesa Park Vineyards, Kingman Estates Winery, Stoney Mesa Winery, and Garrett Estate Cellars. Admission to the festival is $15 in advance or $20 at the gate and includes a commemorative wine glass. For those not tasting wine admission is free. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Mesa Verde Country® office in the Colorado Welcome Center or at Liquid Assets in Cortez, or at The Wine Merchant in Durango.  Tickets may also be purchased with your dinner reservation by calling 970-565-8227.

On Sunday, August 26, from noon to six, journey down McElmo Canyon to Guy Drew Vineyards for an Open House featuring Wine, Food, and Music.  Wines will be available for tasting and purchase.

For a full schedule of festival events, see http://www.mesaverdecountry.com/tourism/festivals/winefest/wineschedule.html#friday

Contacts:

Lynn Dyer, Mesa Verde Country® Visitor Information Bureau, 800-530-2998, lynnd@mesaverdecountry.com

Gaylene Ore, Ore Communications, 970-887-2536, gaylene@orecommunications.com