[Author’s Note. This article was originally written three years ago, during Covid. A lot has changed. Back then, socializing had to adhere to tight restrictions, which are now only optional and by choice. Enjoying wine with art is a ‘”Thing” now, and people are enjoying it outside and inside at locations all over SW Colorado. I’ve updated this article  to include two new places in Montrose. Both combine art and wine, and neither were open yet when we made our tour. As a lover of both art and wine, I’ve been out there, eagerly looking…and tasting.., for more updates to share with you!]  

[Montrose Mirror | July 31, 2023 | By Kathryn R. Burke]

It’s long been a tradition to serve wine with art—in galleries, at art and music events, and at private gatherings featuring both. My son had his wedding rehearsal dinner in an art gallery, where we enjoyed fine wines and fine art in a “sumptuous” setting. It was lovely.

Galleries share art and wineries share vintages, often combining both. Many adorn their tasting rooms and facilities with paintings and sculptures, along with artistic photographs from the winery and surrounding vineyards. Some also double as galleries, live-entertainment centers, and a place to conduct art classes. When the owners are also artists, the wine labels can be amazing! Art is a common component of wine-serving and wine-tasting facilities. Perfect pairings.

Let’s do a Wine & Art Tour of Montrose, Delta, and Ouray counties in SW Colorado.

Better plan on at least three or four days, although we will take it in segments, so we can take time to enjoy each location. Each of the wineries we will visit is family-owned. We’ll start up in north Delta County, in Paonia, home to Azura Cellers and Gallery, Qutori Winery, and Alfred Eames Cellars. What with eating, tasting, and shopping, you might want to make this an overnight stop and visit the Blue Sage Center for the Arts while you are in Paonia. Next stop would be AppleShed & Williams Cellars in Cedaredge, where you can do it all in one place. Plan on a whole day there.

Then head south to Montrose and visit LaNoue DuBois Winery south of town and Mosaic in town. You can do both on the same day. Mosaic doesn’t make wine but it is served there, including LaNoue wines. It is also a gallery that offers art classes (including mine). Mosaic reminds me of the places back in the day in SoCal. It’s funky and fun. I teach art classes at both of them—LaNoue and Mosaic. Last stop is Ridgway, Ouray County. There are no commercial vineyards, but great art and wine and live music at the Sherbino Theater and Gallery 610, next door.

We’re only touching on a few of my favorites for our tour, but if you do a little research, you will find several other boutique wineries around the area to add to your adventure.

OK. Here we go! You are going to have so much fun!

Off to Paonia. First stop is Azura Cellars and Gallery. Then head back down the hill to Qutori Winery. Both are totally unique for different reasons. If you want to make a full day of it, visit the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, catch some live entertainment and drink wine duing their Friday Night Happy hour. Then, dine in one of Paonia’s excellent restaurants and spend the  night at the Bross Hotel–walking distance from the Blue Sage. (That’s what I like to do; they serve a great farm-to-table breakfast, too.) If you want to check out Alfred Eames, which is a little harder to find, be sure to call ahead to make certain it’s OK to visit.

Gallery and patio tasting area. Images, ©K.R. Burke

Azura Cellars and Gallery is a winery, with indoor and outdoor tasting rooms, but it is also a gallery. All of the original art is by the owners, Ty and Helen Gillespie, whose studio is behind the gallery. Wine-tasters may browse and shop for art, jewelry, sculpture, and of course…wine. Azura also has a wonderful miniature Yacht Club on the property…with weekly yacht races. It’s one of a very few similar establishments in the U.S., and the club even has its own Yacht Club Master! Grab a bottle of wine, put on the new jewelry you just bought in the gallery, and head on down the hill to watch the boats race on the pond.  In June 2021, the best Micro Magic sailors in the United States came to the Azura Pond to fight for the National Championship! Be sure to ask the owners how the winery got its name, why they located in Paonia, and what goes on in the big studio. Both are fascinating stories. Azura Cellars. 16764 Farmers Mine Road, Paonia. 970-390-4251.

Art class and artistic Tasting Room. Images ©K.R. Burke

Next Stop is Qutori Winery, just down the hill, also in Paonia. Their expanded indoor tasting room (50’ x 60’) with a tasting bar adjoins their Root & Vine Market deli, coffee shop, and gift shop. Their outdoor patio over-looking the vineyard is lovely. Qutori is a popular lunch spot with locals—the food is outstanding (and they have take-out, too). This place is a definite shopping stop for wine lovers. Besides being a winemaker, founder Julie Bennet is also an artist and graphic designer. Julie’s clever wine labels attest to her talents. Check out the colorful wall behind the tasting bar! I buy their wine by the case for some of my events—love it! Qutori also holds art classes, inside in the winter, outside in the summer. They also host live music events. While you’re there, sampling her excellent wines, ask Julie about the history of the building, and how she and her family got into the wine business. Qutori Wines. 40823 Highway 133, Paonia.

Alfred Eames cellars and Puesta del Sol Vineyards. Images ©K.R.Burke

Alfred Eames Cellars at Puesta del Sol Vineyards is harder to find. Visiting is by invitation only or during announced winery events and occasional local festivals. The wine is exceptional, and the artist labels are a visual treat. Eames spent some time in Spain (about the same time I was living there and teaching art). The name of his vineyards, winery, and wines, as well as the artistic labels. tells his story. Be sure to ask him to tell you how—and why—he got started. His wine is sold at several local establishments—I usually pick mine up at Big B’s in Hotchkiss‚ which also has good food and live music. Alfred Eames Cellars, West Elks AVA.  11931 4050 Rd. Paonia. Please call first (970)361-5630 or (970)778-8678.

Next week, we will visit Cedaredge and Montrose.