Cottonwood Cellars/The Olathe Winery

Cottonwood Cellars is a traditional European-style family winery, using equipment from Italy. We produce 3,500 cases a year. Our "reserve" red wines are aged an average of two years in American and French oak barrels, and we use new barrels (heavy, medium plus, and medium toast) every year as well as older barrels to avoid over-oaking. Our other red wines are aged an average of one year in barrel. All reds are aged an additional year in the bottle. Our Chardonnay is aged "sur lee," where the lees remain in the barrel for at least nine months to produce a creamy texture. It is aged in new oak barrels and bottle aged one year. The winery is located on a 52-acre working farm on California Mesa, known for its mild climate and ability to grow fruit. It's surrounded by magnificent views of the San Juan Mountains, the Grand Mesa and the Uncompaghre Plateau. Please visit and bring a lunch to eat under the giant cottonwoods. Our lovely yard can host up to 150 people for family reunions, weddings and other events. A new 2500 sq. ft. building which houses barrels and the tasting room (with piano) is also available. Location: 5482 Hwy 348, Box 940, Olathe, CO 81425 Phone: 970-323-6224 Fax: 970-323-6182 Email: cottonwoodwines@cs.com Web Site: www.cottonwoodcellars.com Directions: Hwy 50 to Olathe, west 3.4 miles on Hwy 348. Hours: Call Winery; Summer: Wed-Sat, 11-6; Open Holiday Mondays; By Appointment only Jan 2nd thru March 30; Features: Produces The Olathe Winery brand. Picnic area, event area. Check web site for events calendar. Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Claret, Pinot Noir, White Pinot Noir, White Lemberger

Awards: 2003 Colorado Lemberger (Cottonwood Label) - Silver - 2006 Pacific Rim International 2003 Colorado Lemberger (Cottonwood Label) - Mention - 2006 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 2003 Colorado Lemberger (Cottonwood Label) - Bronze - 2006 Dallas Morning News 2001 Reserve Colorado Merlot - Bronze - 2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition 2003 Colorado Lemberger (Cottonwood Label) - Bronze - 2005 San Francisco International Wine Competition N/V Olathe Winery Lemberger - Silver - 2002 Southwest Wine Competition