Mountain Spirit Winery

Have you tried Sophie's Red yet?

Sophie's Red! The newest Colorado wine available from Mountain Spirit Winery!

If you've been to the gallery next to the Twisted Cork Cafe in Salida, Colorado, you've probably met Sophie, our AussieDoodle.  She loves coming to the winery and helping out. 

When Sophie came into our lives, we knew she was something special.  Her energy, her spirit, her love of life was just contagious.  It was a joy having her around.

As Terry and I started creating a new wine, we felt it appropriate to name it after our sweet little red-headed friend, seeing as how both wine and Sophie are such important parts of our lives.

 

Such a sweet girl...

If you're in the area, stop by the winery to not only taste our newest Colorado wine, but to meet our newest cellar assistant - Sophie!

Mike

Reflections of Cellar Assistant at Mountain Spirit Winery

My sense of sight and smell accurately informs me of the world surrounding Mountain Spirit Winery.  I see a smoky haze that partially obscures the nearby forested hills and grassy valley.  And, an unavoidable smell, that of a distant pinewood campfire, lingers in the smoky air.  Both haze and smell tell me of forest fires in distant California and smaller ones in Colorado.  It is this miraculous olfactory sense about which I write in this reflection.  My sense of smell is inherently useful, pleasing, and quite unavoidable with my work at the winery.  It certainly has been in other jobs I've had.

During thirty-five years of teaching I have occupied a classroom with multitudes of students who brought with them dfistinct body odors.   I remember those odors as a most noticeable and memorable student identity.    Some students were so strongly scented with perfumes or colognes that my entire classroom was, for a school day,  pleasantly permeated with the lingering flowery smell of lilacs, roses, sandalwood, jasmine or appetizing spices.  Some simply smelled refreshing and soapy clean.  I could close my eyes and breath deeply those smells hoping to drown out other unavoidable odors including the overpowing, pungent aroma of sweat or the nauseating, sour odor of unlceanliness.  Obviously, my sense of smell, told me a great deal about my various students.

These classroom smells were unavoidable odor experiences, somewhat like rewards and hazards of teaching.  Some odor hazards (if you will) are unfortunately as memorable to me as are odor rewards.  I cannot forget that unpleasant stench of a student's poor hygiene.  Moreover, the mining industry, where I worked before teaching, also had unforgettable very unpleasant odors.  I shall never forget the mirgraine causing acrid smell of nitro glycerin and dynamite I handled when working underground at Climax mines, here in Colorado.  Nor, in the coal mines of Wyoming, where I also worked, the clammy, musty smell of dampened underground air, heavily laden with coal dust.  Nor, shall I forget the caustic smell of diesel fuel and exhaust common to the mining industry.  These were definitely unforgettable job odor hazards.

By contrast, my work at Mountain Spirit Winery provides most pleasant and memorable odor rewards.  These are what first greet me when I go to work there.  Especially at the time of crush, the winery itself is filled with wholesome, fruity smells of fermenting chardonnay, merlot, apples, blackberries, and raspberries juices.  The winery also has a musty, robust smell of yeast and nutrients added to these juices to manipulate them into our fine wines.  This appetizing smell could give one the notion that we are baking bread at the winery as well as making wines.  Also noticeable are the subtle smells of iodine, cleansers, and 'sun fresh' scented Spic and Span, used in keeping the winery meticulously clean.  But, of course, most noticeable and pleasing are the aromas of the individual wines created ar MSW.

I swirl a glass of one of my personal favorite MSW wines and raise it to my nose.  Its aroma is somewhat a mix of raspberries and strawberries, but, as well, distinctly that of blackberries.  I cannot clearly separate the blackberry scent from that of the cabernet franc,  However, a sweet bouquet with a slightly sharp edge to it wafts to my nostrils.  The blended result of these two aromas is inviting and pleasantly agreeable to me.  Before I taste it, I enjoy a feast for my nostrils, the odor reward of a sublime MSW wine, Blackberry Cabernet Franc.

Ed Lambert

Any guesses on our newest Colorado wine?

It's not long now before Terry and I reveal our newest Colorado wine.  We think this wine, like our Angel Blush, will take the Colorado wine industry by storm.  Not only does the wine have a unique label that is beautiful and eye-catching, but the wine itself holds a nice sentimental value for Terry and me.

I'm not entirely sure when this wine will be released to the public, but when it is, we'll make sure you hear about it here first.  Also, if you're going by our winery just outside of Salida, Colorado, ask us about the new wine.  Maybe we'll give you a little preview taste...

Check back soon for an update!

Mike Barkett

An Imported Wine Cheat Sheet

If you like to be adventurous with your wines and often find yourself wandering down the aisles of wines from different countries, you've probably found yourself a bit confused at the different labeling and categories of wines coming from Europe and elsewhere.  It can be a bit like trying to learn a new language!

But this isn't all that bad.  I know I've occasionally found a gem of a wine from a small winery located somewhere I've never heard of- a wine I'd never have found if I hadn't just accidentally stumbled upon it.

Some of my imported wine adventures, though, ended up with an opened bottle that probably never should have ever even made it to market. 

Alas, what is one to do?

Well, just this morning I found a great cheat sheet for wines that originate outside of the United States.  Here's the direct link:

Wine Importers Cheat Sheet 

It's a handy guide you can print out and keep in your pocket for your next adventure down the imported wine aisle.  If the importer's name is on that list, it's probably a safe bet that the wine you're contemplating will be a nice experience.

I hope this helps you!  Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this little cheat sheet.

Mike

Our Newest Colorado Wine is Coming!

I can't tell you much about our newest wine we've got in store for you here at Mountain Spirit Winery, but I can tell you that we've commissioned a brand new label just for this unique Colorado wine. 

Terry and I are very excited about this wine, and we're certain it will quickly become one of your favorites. 

Remember when our Angel Blush hit the market?  It wasn't long before that wine became our best seller.  Well, we think this newest wine might just knock our Angel Blush off its pedestal!

Keep your eyes open sometime in June.  You'll hear about this new wine here first!

Mike

What New Wine Would You Like To See?

Hello everyone,

If you feel like me, you're just starting to get a hint that Spring is right around the corner.  Now up here at nearly 8,000 feet, it's not quite shorts and sandals weather yet, but I've begun looking ahead to those warm days sipping wine on the patio watching the hummingbirds dance.

While last season's wines are either in the bottle or sitting peacefully in the tanks, I've turned my gaze towards the next season of wines.  I'm sure we'll produce our standard award winning wines, since we all love those. 

But what new wine would you like to see?  Our Angel Blush was a sudden inspiration that turned out far better than we could have ever hoped.  Perhaps you've got the idea for our next award winning wine.

Leave me a comment below with your thoughts on a new wine for us here at Mountain Spirit Winery.  Who knows?  Perhaps we'll name one after you!

Mike

You Must See These Hand Crafted Scarves

I know that title didn't have much to do with wine, but I just couldn't resist.  Terry has brought together such a beautiful and diverse selection of art and artistic gifts this holiday season, I just had to let you all know.

If you haven't been to our website lately, you really owe it to yourself to check out our latest gallery items.  The hand crafted silk scarves, the unique glass masks, and all the Mountain Spirit Winery related clothing is available to you right now at very reasonable prices.

Don't forget our wine themed gift baskets for that "person who has everything" on your list.  There's nothing like one of our award winning Colorado wines surrounded by tasty treats to bring a smile to your loved one's face!  These baskets have been selling like crazy, so make sure you get your order in soon before we sell out.

As always, if you have any specific gift questions or requests, give us a call at the gallery, and either Terry or one of our staff will be glad to help.

Be good!  Santa's watching...

Mike

Gifts for Those Who Have Everything

We've been busting our buns over at Mountain Spirit Galleries to gather together some of the finest gifts our Colorado artisans have to offer you this holiday season.  We've added several new wine gift baskets as well as some beautiful hand made silk scarves to our selection of fine art and wine themed gifts.

Head over to our gallery to see the exciting new gift ideas we've brought in.  Make sure check out the unique glass masks we're offering for the first time.  Each mask is unique, and they're certain not to last long!

As always, we've got our award winning selection of Colorado wines from which you can choose.  Check our list of states we can ship to before ordering to avoid any unexpected delays in delivering your holiday cheer this season.

If we can help you with any of your gift giving, don't hesitate to contact us.  We love helping you find the perfect gifts!

Mike and Terry

A Unique Wine Gift from a Unique Colorado Winery

The Gift of an Angel---

The easiest and most unique wine gift of all (and sometimes most appreciated) is a membership in Mountain Spirit Winery's exclusive wine club, our Angels Club.  An Angel Wine Club gift of one to four shipments will make any wine lover on your list very excited!

All you need to do to order this gift is just call the winery at 888-MSWINES and tell us the name  and address of the recipient.  We'll send a lovely gift card informing your lucky friends that they will be receiving the next one to four regular wine club shipments as a gift from you.  We then charge your credit card when we ship the gift.  During that period your recipients are also entitled to regular MSW Angels wine club discounts and specials.  It’s a gift that will always be remembered.

 

 

Special Super Saver Angels Discounts Continue

We are continuing our special “super-saver” Angels discount policy. Through November and December Angels can purchase bottles (or cases) of the wines in the most recent wine club shipment (Pinot Soleil and Blackberry Dessert Wine) and receive a 25% discount off all bottles and 30% off any order of twelve or more bottles.  If you choose to purchase a mixed case you’ll receive the 30% off these two wines and the usual 20% Angels discount off the other bottles.

Visit Colorado's Premier Winery today and take care of all your gift giving ideas in one stop!

Looking for Unique Wine Gift Ideas This Season?

Mountain Spirit Winery has many unique gift ideas for all your gift giving needs this holiday season.  Order now so that we can be sure to ship your wine gifts out to you well in time this holiday season!  And remember, our Angel Wine Club members receive special discounts on many of these items, just for being a member of Colorado's fastest growing wine club!  (Angel Club membership is still just a nickel and is a great gift itself...)

 

Mountain Spirit Winery Gift Baskets

---Wine Baskets—to many States (check our State Approved Wine Shipping List for a complete list) filled with wine, nuts, candy, gourmet snacks and crackers (with Angels discounts on all wine plus the extra super-saver discounts on wine in the current shipment.)

---Wine Baskets---With a bottle of wine, a novel wine stopper, and coasters

---Non-Wine Baskets—to any state

Choose one filled with nuts, delicious candy, cheese, soaps,  or

SOMETHING NEW---

A unique gift basket with our new line from Colorado Melt---bath fizz balls, lotions, shaving creams, body wash, both lotion, and massage creams—all organic and paraben-free.

 

How About Jewelry?

Terry’s newest gallery addition, the internationally famous European Trollbeads, have been popular beyond our wildest dreams. She has increased her inventory just in time for Christmas so everyone has a chance to have what has been seen in all major fashion magazines and worn by major stars in the Golden Globes presentation.

“Every story has a bead”,  and can memorialize a special occasion or event---graduation, anniversary, birthday, new birth…you name it.  You can start with a “one-bead” or “several bead” bracelet or necklace, and we will keep your specific bead purchases on file to facilitate adding beads in the future.  Be sure to check out the Trollbead website (lundtrading.com) to view some of these beautiful unique pieces.

Mountain Spirit Gallery also features beautiful selections from our own Cindy Lilly as well as several Native American artisans.  Turquoise is the hot stone—followed by beautiful dichroic glass pendants.   We have a great supply of one-of-a-kind pieces in all price ranges.

 

How About Pottery?

            Local artist Marsha Myers in earthy colors

            Local artist Weber-Basset in blues and browns

 

How About a Beautiful Hand Crafted Scarf?

            Hand-painted silk by Dee Sapper and Susan Ragan

            Hand-woven by Kathy Bright

 

How About Fun Wine Accessories?

            Bottle stoppers in metal, glass, and wood

            Unique Wine Racks

 

How About Glass Art?

            The wonderful art of Michelle Manquen:  clocks, platters, and the ever popular wall-hanging glass fish!  We have been sold out of her magnificent pieces and are just now receiving a new shipment---shop for these SOON.

 

As always, we offer free gift wrapping on all our gifts!

More gift ideas coming your way next post!