Events Schedule & Online Ticket Ordering

The Durango Wine Experience is here! Event tickets are now currently available for purchase at the Strater Hotel lobby only.

Thursday: Welcome reception for our trade partners, Platinum Package holders and sponsors. Hosted by your Durango Wine Experience committee!

Friday: The “Walk- About Durango”. A moving tasting at art galleries and fine downtown merchants with light appetizers served at all locations. Winemaker’s dinners or luncheons at downtown restaurants.

Saturday: Four seminars, two morning and two afternoon. The Grand Tasting tented, with 50 tables and catered wine friendly food. Winemaker’s dinners or luncheons at downtown restaurants.

Sunday: Sleep in, then enjoy Durango.

Platinum Weekend Package

  • Thursday Welcome Party for Winery Owners and Winemakers
  • The Friday “Walk-About”
  • The Saturday Grand Tasting
  • Two (2) $50 Seminars of your choice
  • One (1) Riedel Tasting Glass

A $310 value for----------------------------------$250 pp

A limited number of Platinum Weekend Packages will be sold


Upgraded Platinum Package

Includes Platinum Weekend Package plus upgrade one (1) seminar to the Riedel Tasting Seminar

A $360 value for---------------------------------$300 pp


Weekend Package

  • The Friday “Walk- About Durango"
  • The Saturday Grand Tasting
    $125 pp


“Walk-About Durango”

Friday May 2, 2008, 4 - 6:30pm, A moving tasting at art galleries and fine downtown merchants with light appetizers served at all locations
$50 pp



Grand Tasting

Saturday May 3, 2008, 4 - 6pm, 100+ wineries exhibiting wines from around the world with wine friendly appetizers under the festival tents at the First National Bank of Durango
$75 pp


Upgraded Tasting Glass - RECOMMENDED

For all tasting events you will be provided with one (1) Libby glass pp.
If you would prefer to attend the tastings and use a fine Riedel glass,
Upgrade Now for $10 pp


Seminar Schedule & Ticketing

Malbec Rediscovered
10-11:30 AM Saturday May 3, 2008

No longer a lesser-known black grape of Bordeaux, Malbec has been rediscovered and used to create outstanding wines around the world. There’s growing interest in Malbec for Meritage blends, unique South American red blends, and fantastic single-varietal wines from Argentina.  And even though Malbec’s use is fading in France, it is still found in the southwest of France where it’s producing lovely wines. Join Liz Pirnat, CSW, as she guides you on a tour of this inky red comeback that’s making a splash around the globe.
SEM1- $50 pp.
Location: The Palace Restaurant, 505 Main Ave.

www.palacedurango.com


Discovering the Difference Between Old World
and New World Wines.
10-11:30 AM Saturday May 3, 2008

We’ve all heard that Old Wines are from Europe and New World wines are from the rest of the planet, but what, beyond geography, is the difference?  Discover the difference as Doug Krenik, MS leads you through an exercise tasting the structural elements of wine – acid, sugar, alcohol and tannin – and how these can differ and define the wines of the Old and New World.  Several great wines will be tasted for demonstration as well - after all, one can’t survive on acid, sugar, alcohol and tannin alone. 
SEM2- $50 pp.
Location: Guido’s Favorite Foods, 1201 Main Ave.

www.guidosfavoritefoods.com/   


The Worlds of Pinot Noir
1- 2:30 PM Saturday May 3, 2008

Pinot Noir is grown around the world. Join Mark Pape from Witness Tree Vineyards in Oregon to taste and compare Pinot Noirs from Oregon, California, France and New Zealand. You will learn and appreciate their differences.
SEM3- $50 pp.
Location: Cosmopolitan, 919 Main Ave.

www.cosmodurango.com


Riedel Glassware Seminar
1- 2:30 PM Saturday May 3, 2008

Join us for a wine tasting that will prove the glass really does make a difference. You will learn how Riedel wine glasses are made for each specific wine varietal. You will then be treated to an amazing tasting. Guests will taste a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon in an ordinary, everyday wine glass. Next, you will taste the same wines in a Riedel glass that has been designed for that specific varietal. After the seminar, you get to take the four (4) glass set of Riedel Vinum glasses home with you. The retail value of the set of glasses is over $100. This seminar is limited, so register early to guarantee your tickets.
SEM4- $99 pp.
Location: Centennial Room at the Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave.
www.strater.com


Passes will be available to pick up at our Hospitality Desk, starting Thursday, May 1st, 2008 in the back lobby of the Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave. Durango, CO 81301. No tickets will be mailed; you must show an ID to prove over 21 years of age to pick up tickets.     

Tickets and Seminars are non-refundable.  


Winemakers' Luncheons and Dinners

Friday, May 2, 2008
11:45am
Cosmopolitan  Restaurant
919 Main Avenue 

Wine of WJ Deutsch and perfectly paired foods.  Seating is limited. 
Call Jennifer for reservations at 970-259-2898. 
$50 pp


Friday, May 2, 2008
7:00pm
Mahogany Grille
699 Main Avenue
(located in the Historic Strater Hotel)

Join Stewart Vandenburg Wines of Alexander Valley Vineyards and Chef Dave Cuntz .  Featuring Six (6) wines and Five (5) food courses.  Seating is limited.  Call for reservations at 970-247-4433.
$110 pp


Saturday  May 3, 2008
7:00pm
Seasons Crew located at Off the Vine
101 West 11th Street

Join Ray Coursen,  winemaker and owner of Elyse Winery and Karen Barger and crew of Seasons for a 5 course dinner. Seating is Limited.
Call for reservations at 970-382-9790.
$100 pp



Saturday, May 3, 2008    
7:45pm
Guidos
1201 Main Avenue

Platinum Beverage-Mark Price and Susan and Sean Devereaux  Six wines and paired foods from specific regions of Italy.  30% of the dinner proceeds will be donated to the Community Foundation.
Call for reservations at 970-259-5028.
$97 pp