The Wine Festival of Colorado Springs is growing into a substantial affair, and this year’s event dangles the temptation of a peek inside the exclusive Garden of the Gods Club.
Normally open only to members and guests, the club will be open to wine-festival ticket-holders on Saturday.
The festivities begin Friday at the Broadmoor hotel, with a South African wine ambassador’s presentation on that area’s 350-year history of winemaking.
After that seminar, the Grand Tasting will offer more than 300 varieties of wine paired with foods from local restaurants and caterers. There also will be a silent wine-market auction, live music and dancing.
On Saturday, take in a couple of wine-pairing seminars at Paragon Culinary School. The festival ends with a gourmet dinner at the Garden of the Gods Club. Because it’s tucked into a cliff top, the club offers panoramic views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak and is particularly gorgeous at sunset.
Proceeds from the festival benefit the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Tickets cost $340 and include all events: 719-634-5583 or visit csfinearts . The club and the Broadmoor are offering discounted lodging ($130 per night) to festival attendees.
