In our travels back and forth between Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak over the summers we've spent here, I happened upon this beautiful little building that had a [shocker] winery inside!! The Winery at Pikes Peak sign on the outside of the building may have been a big give away. HA!! I’m pretty sure I saw it for the first time on one of our trips to the Wines of Colorado [since it is just across the street] but we just never really had or took the time to stop and check it out. However, things are way different this summer...
Conceivably different from last summer, but it was also pretty special. You see, Shawn and I were no longer the only hot air balloon "couple" that would be staying in Colorado Springs for the summer. [you see, I was in town for a travel nurse assignment, but Shawn was in town to fly hot air balloons!!] We had ourselves some new neighbors. I will admit that at first I was a little nervous, would we get along or even like each other!? Plus, they had dogs and how was that going to work out and would they get along with our dogs!? All of my worries were in vain… Daniel and Jessica turned out to be great and Jessica has become one of my BFF’s and favorite wine drinking partners in crime!! [as evidenced in the last photo!!]
As mentioned above, The Winery at Pikes Peak was practically right across the street from Wines of Colorado [which I wrote about waayyyy back before we went to Napa.. LOL] In fact, at this time both businesses were owned by the same adorable little couple, Marvin and Francine Parlimont. They owned the restaurant at Wines of Colorado for 24 years before they sold it to the DeMays in 2021. They opened the Winery at Pikes Peak, a wine tasting room and event center in 1998.
After splitting their time between both locations for several years, it started getting to be too much for them to handle. So, as you already know, they ended up selling the restaurant and wine shop. I mean they were in their golden years, [both in their 80’s.. say what!?] and they wanted to be able to concentrate all their time and effort on their winery. Did you know that The Winery at Pikes Peak was the only winery in Colorado Springs at this time!? This coupled with its special location at the base of Pikes Peak, were just a few of the things that made this winery so unique.
This Historic 8,0000-ish square foot building was a community center in the 1920’s, then was turned into a dinner theater in the 1980’s. It was brought back to life by the Parlimonts, as a beautiful new winery venue in 1998!! There is a main dining room [this is where we were for our visit] that features a double sided fireplace. The large marble bar is another focal point in the main room and is a great spot for a wine flights [as you can see pictured below where Jessica and I tasted our wine] or food service. There is a stage area, which was used for live music or as a dance floor during events.
Kelly Parliament, Marvin and Francine's son came on as the general manager. He helped his parents in running of the day-to-day business at the winery tasting room and the event center. There were seven wines being produced here, a cabernet sauvignon, merlot, port, Riesling, rose, chardonnay, and a Pikes Peak Blend. If I recall correctly, the list just mentioned made up the wine flight, and we were served by Francine herself!! [pictured above] The evening was the the first of many to come, giving us the true meaning of the saying... good friends, good food, good times!! [and obviously good wine!! hehe]
I saw that The Winery at Pikes Peak is now closed permanently. I could not find any more information about why they went out of business. It was around December of 2021, so maybe, like so many others, the just didn't survive the pandemic, or maybe Marvin and Francine decided to enjoy their golden years in a less stressful environment!! [I'm hoping that the reason ended up being more like the second "maybe"]
Tune into Wine With Wixy next week as our blog location is going to be a surprise!! [because I am out of town and I do not have my list with me. Hahaha] We could be visiting another Colorado winery, or maybe it will be an art and wine event!! I really have no idea where we'll be! [Dontcha just love a good surprise!?]
Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!
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