Wind blew in a wonderful Wine about Winter

More than 400 ticket holders let the wind blow them around Niwot to enjoy wine, art, food, and the hospitality of Niwot businesses. Niwot’s fourth Wine About Winter event took place the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 24.

While the sun was shining brightly, the temperature was still wintery cold and the exuberant wind battered the event’s celebratory balloons. But, the strong breeze didn’t prevent the flow of happy mug-toting participants from moving from one warm welcoming location to another.

Organizer and co-founder Michelle Henzel said there was only positive feedback about the event that raises money for the maintenance and improvement of Niwot’s Whistle Stop Park and the Niwot Children’s Park.

More than 25 business locations, some featuring more than one host business, welcomed revelers, including many new participants. Inkberry Books, Starbuds, Pilates of Niwot, Porchfront Homes, Old Oak Coffeehouse, and Niwot Wheel Works were all new to the event. Each contributing location offered wine, beer, food or coupons to those joining in on the fun.

“It just keeps getting better and better every year,” Henzel said. “There were a lot of repeat people and they bring their friends and it just grows each year.”

Liz Gould and Bruce Rabeler of Little Bird on Second Avenue reported a good flow of people at their store.

“Hopefully everyone had as much fun as we did,” Rabeler said. “We enjoyed meeting some new people and reconnecting with others. It was particularly gratifying to see that many people liked the wine that we chose and took pictures of the label for future reference. I think we even converted some dedicated red wine drinkers and white wine abstainers to a new kind of white…one that had hints of various fruits, but was not too sweet.”

Keith Waters and Gene Hayworth, owners at the new bookstore in town, Inkberry Books in Cottonwood Square, said at least 60-70 people came into their shelf-lined store. They were highly praised for serving something a little different - hot mulled wine.

“Many people who are educators came by and expressed being happy to have a bookstore in town,” Hayworth said. “It [the event] was a good way for people to find out about us.”

Musicians were playing in several spots throughout town including the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band in Cottonwood Square and others at the Winot Coffee Shop and the Emporium on Second Avenue.

Each business put its own spin on it and comments were overheard that businesses really “upped their game this year,” with even more delicious and generous offerings of food than in previous years.

Henzel said the best feedback she heard from a ticket holder was that “this is one of the most fun things that goes on in town.”

“Business owners and those wandering around town had a great time. Many folks came from out of town, some stayed to have dinner at restaurants, and others bought art and items from various businesses. Everyone learned a bit about what each business does. All in all, it was a great turn out and everyone enjoyed the afternoon,” Henzel said.

“We made more more money this year, for sure,” Henzel said. “It’s a wonderful way to support the community while having a good reason to get out during the winter.”