The Western Slope of Colorado is known for its kicked-backed attitude, sprawling farms, rodeos, and good hearty food. Now the area is also becoming known for a surprising new distinction: some of the best wines in the country.
Dotted all over the Western Slope, vineyards can be found at some very high elevations–anywhere from 4500 to 6900 feet. With more than 300 sunny days per year, and a dry climate ,mountain grapes develop excellent flavor and complexion. The fruits also retain acid more readily in the cool nighttime temperatures.
As wine makers are offering more and more award-winning products, local restaurateurs and wine bars are reaching out to expert sommelier Mark Condon to assist them in curating a more elevated cultural experience for their guests.
Colorado wines continue to rack up the awards, beating out wines even from California and Argentina, and judges are starting to say they need to get out to Colorado and see what’s going on in the vineyards. Mark is delighted to see the shifting tides, and he’s committed to being a part of bringing fascinating wines to the palettes of anyone who is willing to try something new.
As a hospitality manager in the early 2000s, Mark focused on sourcing the best wines he could find for his guests, and his research led him to really appreciate the quality and history of Colorado wines. “Why would you want to buy a wine from Colorado that tastes like a California wine, when you could have a true Colorado Cabernet Franc?”
And it’s true that nothing could lend itself more perfectly to barbecue and blue jeans than a full-bodied wine with wonderful acidity and both black and red fruit notes. It’s making these unlikely introductions that Mark is passionate about.
Becoming a wine sommelier was a natural progression for Mark. His mother’s family made wine in Italy, and they carried their love for extraordinary hospitality with them to the United States. Mark remembers fondly the lavish parties they would throw. He would taste the beverages being served and soak in all the comments about them. His knowledge grew as he pursued a hospitality career after graduating from the University of Denver.
Following his long career years in the Denver area, Mark was drawn to the beauty and climate of the Western Slope, where he has forged some rewarding friendships. Bret Neal of Stoney Mesa has provided Mark with an education in viticulture. “He’s a talented communicator with an impeccable palette, and I have learned a lot from him,” says Mark. “In return, I help him with some international varieties that may be new to him.”
The savvy owners of Sips on Main in Cedaredge, Denise Furbotten and Lana Flemmer have also enjoyed Mark’s contributions to their wine selections, a relationship that has helped propel them to winning the Delta County Independent’s Wine List of the Year.
Mark finds the West Slope to be the perfect area for those wanting to entertain year-round, and he takes great pleasure in helping people pair their meals with just the right wine selection. “I want to bring wine enthusiasts of this valley tastes they’ve never had before. When I teach classes, I encourage people to think out of the box. Maybe they’ve gotten stuck with the familiar sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. It’s great to serve up a vermentino from Italy or an albarino from Spain and watch them light up. It’s like any passion,there are layers, and once you begin to explore, you’ll want to keep going to see what else you can learn and try.”
Eight months out of the year, patio dining can be enjoyed at homes and businesses alike in the Surface Creek Valley. Sips on Main is eager to offer casual but elegant dining paired with the perfect wines.Meanwhile, Stoney Mesa will continue to collaborate with New Fork Foodie to offer their popular wine club luncheons with stunning views of the San Juans and West Elks.
Besides offering his expertise as a sommelier, Mark also enjoys advising and supporting small businesses in the area through the Grand Mesa Business Guild. “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts,” he says. It would be a waste to take all my years managing hospitality properties and not give back to the community. One of the fun things about this area is that there’s no pretension. You can sit next to one of the area’s finest chefs and they will be friendly and kind. They say the joy of living is in giving, right? And I think that’s true. Many of my main clients are generous givers, so it’s a perfect match. We’re all interested in being community supporters. Rising tides lift all boats, that's what everyone here seems to be trying to do. We’re all better for being together.”
For more information on all the classes Mark offers, check out www.vinodimarco.com. Those who want to raise the bar on their restaurants, wine bars, or own private parties can reach Mark at 720 257 4358, or at mark@vinodimarco.com
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