Nestled amongst the trees, at the base of Pike Peak, is one of the most unique restaurants in Colorado. The unassuming building has worn many hats over the last 50-plus years. Originally a 7-11 convenience store in the '70s, it went on to become a t-shirt store, a rumored bakery, and finally, for the last 30 years: Wines of Colorado.
New Ownership
In 2021, after years of dining at and enjoying this local landmark, Arin and Dawn Demoy purchased the building. Arin left a corporate job to fully invest his time renovating the space and revitalizing the existing concept. Dawn worked diligently on the interior design, website and social media presence to reintroduce a refreshed Wines of Colorado to the world.
The original footprint of the building only housed a small food counter with a tiny kitchen. One of the first tasks was to demo the old kitchen and expand it to accommodate restaurant-sized appliances and ample prep space. Next, they refreshed the interior with a modern mountain aesthetic, updated the exterior creekside dining area, and developed a Colorado-focused beverage program, along with a Colorado-inspired dining menu.
“The location of our restaurant doesn’t get much better than this,” Arin says. “Being at the base of Pikes Peak and having a close proximity to Colorado Springs, we get quite a bit of traffic here. We wanted to create a space that felt like 'Cheers’ and where locals could hang out and tourists could mingle with the natives. We wanted the space to feel elevated but approachable.”
The interior is warm and welcoming with large windows for viewing the abundant flora and fauna. As you move through the space, a gorgeous bar beckons you to pull up a stool and take in the vast collection of Colorado-made wines, spirits and beer. Situated around the bar are custom-made tables constructed from wine barrels that are perfect for an afternoon of wine tasting.
Liquor Store
“One great thing about Wines of Colorado is that we also operate as a liquor store,” Arin says. “You can buy bottles of our wine or spirits to enjoy at your table and/or some to take home. We also offer wine flights from a pre-built menu or you can get creative and choose four pours from any of the wines we sell.”
The kitchen has an open concept, and diners can gaze through a large window to watch the culinary team demonstrating their artistry and talent in creating dishes like pan-seared Colorado trout almondine, buffalo lasagna and bison meatloaf.
For those who want to enjoy a Colorado wine flight, there are perfect-for-pairing accoutrements such as charcuterie, baked brie and gouda arancini balls.
Tap List, Too!
Beer and cider lovers will also appreciate a thoughtfully curated, Colorado-proud tap list. As you sip on a glass of cold, crisp brew, try menu items such as cheese curds, pretzel bites and gourmet burgers.
Perhaps the most special area of the restaurant is the creekside dining patio. Situated at the intersection of Cascade Creek and French Creek, the sound of water and singing birds adds to the inviting nature of the space. Dine in the shade of towering pines, Aspen trees and market umbrellas. Lucky visitors have spotted deer, foxes, owls, beavers, bob cats, and yes, an occasional bear in the adjacent forest. The patio seats roughly 100 people and reservations are recommended.
“Wines of Colorado is one of the most unique ways to experience what Colorado has to offer,” Arin says. “From the food & drink to the amazing setting, it’s a great spot to bring family and friends from out of town, celebrate an occasion, or just hang out with the locals.”
Website: https://winesofcolorado.com/
Instagram + Facebook @WinesOfColorado