It’s no secret I love my wines. I am always wine tasting somewhere, and I will try all the different wines that I can, everywhere I can. This time, I was tasting the wines of Nederland at Augustina’s.
What better way to describe Augustina’s than in her own words. Augustina’s Winery is a one-woman winery and was the first winery in Boulder County, Colorado. Started in 1997 by owner and winemaker, Gussie Walter, and making wine for the folks who like to have adventures, then laugh about them later on while having a glass of easy drinkin’ local wine. I use only Colorado grown grapes to make wines that go with backpacking, blues music, books, and gingersnaps.
We had a fun time at Augustina’s. There was another couple visiting from Niagara Falls, and we had a fun time visiting with them too. While we were tasting and chatting, our mistress of the wine, Rebecca’s husband came in, and he is the one who told us that Rebecca is the artist who paints all the animals on the Carousel of Happiness. A Trip To Nederland – Part 1 – The Carousel of Happiness She does an amazing job at both serving up the local wines as well as keeping the animals looking gorgeous around the carousel. Meeting new people and hearing their stories is part of the fun of wine tasting, not to mention, trying all the new wines. 🙂
Rebecca, the Mistress of the Wines and Carousel Painter.
Larry was driving and is not the wine drinker, so it was just me doing the tasting. I took a flight and got to taste 5 different wines. I tried 2 whites and 3 reds. All of the wines were good. I think my favorite for the day was the Cab Franc, aka the Boulder Backpacking Wine. One of the other reds I tried and liked a lot was made from a “St. Vincent” grape. I never knew there was such a grape, but of course I had to try that one, because that is Vinnie’s real name. His full name is St. Vincent Billinger.
Colorado doesn’t have all the wines and selections that California does, but we do make some very good wines, and a good portion of the grapes used in Colorado wines are home grown, on the Western Slopes around the Palisade area. Believe it or not though, Colorado is home to more than 150 wineries. Our grand Valley, in Palisades, is ranked in the Top 10 of best wine regions in the country. Colorado’s wine industry generates $3.2 billion in economic impact per year, according to a 2017 study prepared for WineAmerica, the national association of American wineries. It employs 15,630 people directly, is responsible for $480 million in wages and generates 267,648 visits a year to its various wine regions, including the Grand Valley. Watch out California, here we come. 🙂
So next time you are up in Nederland, stop in at Augustina’s for a flight or a glass, or both. You will definitely be in a for a treat with our homegrown Colorado wines. You will also get served with our local, homegrown hospitality too. Augustina’s is located at 20 Lakeview Drive, #103, Nederland, CO. You can visit online at augustinaswinery@gmail.com or give them a call at (303) 520-4871, or better yet, just stop on in and enjoy the wines. Their hours are Thursday-Sunday 1:00pm-6:00pm.
Stay happy and healthy Everyone and drink some wine. ‘Til next time.
A Jeanne in the Kitchen 