Let's Wine About "Windy" Winter a success

Saturday Feb. 24 marked the Niwot Cultural Arts Association's annual Let's Wine About Winter Event across both Second Avenue and Cottonwood Square. However, it wasn't very wintery at 60 degrees, but it was windy. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day to be outdoors to sample wine and culinary delights as well as support local businesses.

Twenty-six businesses participated this year across the two primary hubs of Niwot's shopping district. Approximately 500 tickets were sold this year according to Deb Fowler to provide funding to provide funding for maintenance and improvements to Whistle Stop Park and Niwot Children's Park. Tickets were sold online for $35 per person in advance and $40 per person on the day of the event itself.

One of the highlights of the event was Girl Scouts selling cookies. Ella Scarbrough (age 9) sold cookies outside of Niwot Jewelry & Gifts with suggestions for optimal wine pairings with specific cookies, information provided by Ella's grandmother, Jan Kahl, who owns the store. Scarbrough said that throughout the day her biggest sellers were Thin Mints and Samoas, which reportedly pair best with zinfandel red wine and Sauternes white, respectively. "Funding goes towards trips and camps," said Scarbrough. "Last year we did an overnight trip at the [Denver] Aquarium".

A unique beverage was served at The Old Oak Coffeehouse where they mixed Cabernet Sauvignon with hot chocolate to create a delicious concoction. Noah Smith, a barista at The Old Oak Coffeehouse for two years, said they had just about run out of their original beverage mix by 4:30 p.m. "Usually we close at 4 p.m.," said Smith "but it's been very busy and consistent all day."

Smith said he loves working at the coffee shop and especially likes Let's Wine About Winter because it brings a whole new clientele into the store. He also enjoyed seeing regular customers at the shop throughout the day as well as making new friends and seeing many friendly faces.

Steve Burns, professor of music theory at the University of Colorado Boulder, attended because of his connection to the owners of Inkberry Books, Gene Hayworth and Keith Waters. "Even though I go to Inkberry often," said Burns, "this event got me into new businesses here today that [I] really enjoyed."

Other highlights included the food provided by many businesses to pair with their wine. One patron, Kevin Sullivan, compared the whole event to EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival. "It was great to pair wine with food spreads but I feel like there was a better community feel around it," Sullivan said.

Bruce and Liz Rabeler of Little Bird on Second Avenue paired Pormenor white wine with Parrano Originale cheese from the Niwot Market.

Simple options were also well received. One attendee said he particularly enjoyed the pairing of Goldfish crackers with wine, saying how it brought a very fun childhood nostalgia element to the event.