Colorado Winery Review: Woody Creek Cellars

When you first meet Kevin Doyle, Vintner and Founder of Woody Creek Cellars, you know he has a story to tell. A quick smile and friendly greeting is just the start of discovering this wonderful Old World-style winery that produces handcrafted Artisan wines. Founded in 2000 as a one-man operation, Woody Creek Cellars produces vintages from the grape varietals found on the Western Slope of Colorado.

Background
Originally from Southern California, Kevin's skiing passion took him to Aspen, Colorado in 1976. Over the next two decades he worked in many of Aspen's fine dining establishments and educated himself on the characteristics of fine wine. This led him from a life as an old-school Aspen ski bum to a two-year apprenticeship with winemaker Steve Rhodes. With a small amount of startup capital and countless hours of back-breaking work, Woody Creek Cellars now produces award winning wines that have competed against wine industry giants.

Location
Woody Creek Cellars production facility is located in a former apple-packing shed in Orchard City, CO. There Kevin and friends crush between 20-40 tons of grapes a season. Production is limited to 1000 cases annually.

Philosophy
Produce and distribute premium wines at reasonable prices in Colorado.

In a Glenwood Springs Post Independent article, Kevin stated "I don't add chemicals. My wine is really earthy and natural with a lot of finesse," he said. "I get as close to biblical times as possible and stay away from technology. I like to say, 'God is perfect - I am only the shepherd getting the grapes in the bottle." He later added "Everything I make is French-inspired."

Production Methods
Woody Creek Cellars is strictly a small wine making operation that uses Old-World style production methods. Kevin obtains his handpicked grapes from local Colorado vineyards located on the Western Slope. The grapes are then destemmed, crushed, gravity flown, undergo cold masseration, punched down, and then aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. No chemicals are ever added and the wines are unfiltered.

Award Winning Wines
When entered into competitions against wine industry powerhouses, Woody Creek Cellars can trounce the competition.

2005 Denver International Wine Festival

2002 Enamorado Cabernet Franc - Silver -bested California's Robert Mondavi

2002 Merlot - Silver - wedged between Pedroncelli Winery and Lambert Bridge.

Harvey Steiman of The Wine Spectator
2004 Merlot, 88 points. "...lovely cherry and plum flavors...".
2004 Chardonnay, 88 points. "...delicate flavors of apple and spice, hinting at lemon...".
2005 Tempranillo, 86 points. "...showed rich texture and the one-note plum flavors persisted well...".

Colorado Winefest 2007 (Grand Junction, Colorado)
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Silver (Woody Creek Cellars and Verso Vineyards)
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Silver (Woody Creek Cellars and Verso Vineyards)
2003 Cabernet Franc - Bronze

Colorado State Fair 2007 (Pueblo, Colorado)
2005 Syrah - Silver

Colorado Winefest 2005 (Grand Junction, Colorado)
2002 Enamorada - Bronze
2002 Merlot - Bronze
2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Bronze

The Aspen Times - Nov. 26, 2005 - Stewart Oksenhorn
"Thinking there might be a bit of flukiness to Doyle's victories, I ran a Thanksgiving Day blind tasting with two of Aspen's leading oenophiles, accustomed to serving their diners only the best wines. Both were duly impressed, especially by the taste of French oak. "Whoa, you broke out the quality stuff," said one. And neither came within a continent of guessing that what they were drinking was made from grapes grown on Colorado's Western Slope."

Vintages
Woody Creek Cellars wines sell out every year. Contact Kevin to find out what is currently available.

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon - Kevin describes this wine as "Concentrated fruit layered with floral notes and a touch of dust softened with black cherry. Lots of structure and finesse. A classic!" My own tasting notes include: light oak, dark berries, soft with low tannins, rich dark fruity aromas, tones of black cherry, smooth, sweet oak, medium finish. A very enjoyable wine to drink. The alcohol content is 13.5% by volume.

2006 Colorado Merlot - Kevin describes this wine as "A soft mineral, earthiness, rich berry flavors with a lingering clean finish. Lots of structural finesse. Very clean on the palate." Unfortunately, it is now sold out but will be available in 2010. My own tasting notes include: dark fruit aromas, medium oak, light smoke, a hint of tar, black cherry and plum flavors, light to medium tannins, medium entry, well-balanced, long smooth finish. I'm not a fan of Merlot's with strong tannins. This is a Merlot I would purchase again. The alcohol content is 13.8% by volume.

2006 Colorado White Wine - Kevin describes this wine as "Chablis in style with huge mineral overtones. Very French in style. Light and crisp." Alas, this wine sold out on Kevin's first visit to the Lafayette Farmer's Market and was no longer available for me to try.

There might be limited quantities of: 2005 Colorado Cabernet Sauvigon Reserve, 2006 Merlot Reserve, 2005 Verso/Woody Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Verso/Woody Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Pinot Noir, 2006 Tempranillo Colorado. Contact Kevin for availability.

Availability
Woody Creek Cellars wines are available online, the downtown Aspen Farmers Market, local Aspen liquor stores, Denver Area Farmers Markets, and at some of Aspen's finest restaurants.

Contact Information
Woody Creek Cellars, LLC
Austin, CO
(970) 901-7575
www.woodycreekcellars.com

Facebook: Woody Creek Cellars

http://www.woodycreekcellars.com/index.html

http://www.postindependent.com/article/20070730/AE/107300041

http://www.denverwinecomp.com/2005results.html

http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/cab-sauv.htm

http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/merlot.htm

http://www.woodycreekcellars.com/InTheNews.html

http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1304,00.html