Denver Urban Wineries: Wine Tasting in the Mile High City

By American Winery Guide Staff on 2022-01-24

Denver has quietly become one of the most interesting urban winemaking scenes in the United States. While Colorado's primary wine regions lie 250 miles west along the Western Slope, Denver's urban wineries bring that fruit directly to the city—crafting wines in converted warehouses, industrial spaces, and neighborhood tasting rooms. With seven active wineries scattered across the metro area, the Mile High City offers wine enthusiasts a chance to taste Colorado vintages without the drive to wine country.

These aren't satellite tasting rooms—Denver's urban wineries are full production facilities where winemakers crush, ferment, age, and bottle their wines on-site. Most source grapes from Colorado's established AVAs including Grand Valley and West Elks, with some importing fruit from California and Oregon. What makes Denver's scene distinctive is the accessibility, the experimental spirit of urban winemakers, and the emphasis on natural, minimal-intervention wines that have become the calling card of several local producers.

Where wineries in Denver?

Denver's wineries cluster in three main areas. The original concentration sits in northwest Denver along East 64th Avenue near Interstate 70, where Balistreri Vineyards, Spero Winery, and Kingman Estates operate within a two-mile stretch. The River North Art District (RiNo) around Wazee Street hosts Bigsby's Folly, one of Denver's largest urban winery operations. Downtown's Dairy Block development near Coors Field features Blanchard Family Wines, while Bonacquisti Wine Company operates in the northwest Highlands neighborhood.

Denver International Airport (DEN) sits 25 miles northeast of downtown via Interstate 70 and Peña Boulevard—typically a 35-45 minute drive depending on traffic. The RiNo and downtown wineries are 25-30 minutes from the airport, while the East 64th Avenue cluster sits 20-25 minutes away. Downtown Denver lies 10-15 minutes south of the northwest winery cluster via Interstate 25 or Federal Boulevard.

The wineries along East 64th Avenue sit in residential-industrial neighborhoods north of downtown, accessible via Interstate 70 (exit Brighton Boulevard or York Street). RiNo's Bigsby's Folly and downtown's Blanchard Family Wines are both near light rail stations—38th & Blake for RiNo and Union Station for Dairy Block. Bonacquisti in the Highlands neighborhood is reached via Interstate 25 or Speer Boulevard. Public transit serves RiNo and downtown areas well, but ride-sharing or personal vehicles work best for visiting multiple locations in one day.

Denver's Urban Wineries

Balistreri Vineyards

Denver's oldest urban winery, Balistreri Vineyards has operated since 1998 on East 66th Avenue. The family-run operation follows Sicilian winemaking traditions passed down through generations, producing natural wines without sulfites or unnecessary additives. Balistreri hand-picks grapes and uses wild fermentation to create wines that genuinely express their terroir—a rarity in urban winemaking.

The tasting room hosts visits by appointment and often features family members guiding guests through their portfolio, which includes award-winning reds, whites, and their signature orange wines made from white grapes fermented with extended skin contact. Tastings typically include 15-20 wines over an hour, followed by an optional 15-minute cellar tour. The intimate, no-frills setting emphasizes the wines themselves rather than fancy presentation.

Bigsby's Folly

Located in a 130-year-old former manufacturing building in RiNo, Bigsby's Folly combines full-production winemaking with a restaurant and event venue featuring soaring 30-foot ceilings and industrial-chic design. Established in 2017, the winery pairs wines from California's prestigious vineyards with Colorado sources, offering both traditional bottled wines and more experimental kegged and canned options.

The 7,000-square-foot space operates Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 10:00 PM, with extended hours Friday through Sunday. Bigsby's offers various tasting experiences ranging from standard five-wine flights with food pairings to reserve tastings and custom wine blending sessions where guests create their own blends. The location near the 38th & Blake light rail station makes it one of Denver's most accessible urban wineries, and the full bar and restaurant menu distinguish it from traditional tasting rooms. Wine flights typically start around $30-40 per person, with food pairings available.

Bonacquisti Wine Company

Winemaker Paul Bonacquisti operates his namesake Bonacquisti Wine Company in northwest Denver, producing small-lot Colorado wines from Western Slope fruit. The working winery offers tours led by Bonacquisti himself, who walks visitors through the entire winemaking process—from crush pad to barrel room to bottling line.

The focus here is education combined with tasting. Bonacquisti's tours provide one of the few genuine behind-the-scenes winemaking experiences in Denver, offering access to active fermentation tanks and aging barrels. The winery operates Thursday through Saturday afternoons, and advance reservations are essential. Bonacquisti also hosts community events and displays work from local artists, making the space part winery, part neighborhood gathering spot.

Blanchard Family Wines

Brothers James and Mark Blanchard brought their Sonoma-based winemaking operation to Denver's Dairy Block development, creating Blanchard Family Wines as an urban outpost two blocks south of Coors Field. Headquartered in Healdsburg, California, the winery focuses on limited-production, hand-crafted wines sourced from top Sonoma Valley vineyards, supplemented by Colorado wines from Western Slope and Front Range producers.

The Denver tasting room distinguishes itself by serving wines on tap—eight Blanchard selections poured with zero oxidation and light exposure, guaranteeing peak freshness. This sustainable approach reduces the winery's carbon footprint while maintaining wine quality. Open Monday through Thursday from 1:00 to 9:00 PM, with extended hours until 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday, the location offers wine flights, bottles for purchase, and cheese and charcuterie pairings. The Dairy Block setting provides easy walkability to restaurants, shops, and downtown attractions. Reservations recommended for weekend visits.

Spero Winery

Spero Winery on West 64th Avenue takes the boutique approach, producing limited-quantity award-winning wines including Viognier and Cabernet Sauvignon. The family-owned operation maintains a low profile but has earned recognition at regional competitions for the quality of its small-batch production.

Open Saturdays from 1:00 to 5:00 PM or by appointment, Spero offers an intimate tasting experience focused on their core varietals. The winery sources fruit from Colorado vineyards and emphasizes traditional winemaking methods. The casual atmosphere and knowledgeable hosts make Spero an excellent stop for wine enthusiasts seeking conversation and detailed information about Colorado viticulture.

Kingman Estates Winery

Another East 64th Avenue producer, Kingman Estates Winery crafts handmade Colorado wines from locally sourced grapes. The tasting room operates Saturday afternoons without requiring reservations, making it one of the more accessible options for spontaneous visits.

Kingman's portfolio reflects the diversity of Colorado's wine regions, with grapes sourced from various Western Slope vineyards. The winery emphasizes authentic, minimally processed wines that showcase Colorado's high-elevation fruit characteristics. The welcoming tasting room and straightforward approach appeal to both serious wine enthusiasts and casual visitors exploring Denver's urban wine scene.

Planning Your Visit

Denver's urban wineries operate on varied schedules. The East 64th Avenue cluster (Balistreri, Spero, Kingman) focuses on Saturday afternoon tastings from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, typically requiring reservations. Bigsby's Folly and Blanchard Family Wines maintain restaurant-style hours with afternoon and evening service most days of the week, offering more flexibility for drop-in visits. Bonacquisti operates Thursday through Saturday afternoons by appointment. Tasting fees vary by winery but generally fall in the $20-40 range for standard flights, with premium or reserve tastings running higher.

Denver's winery scene supports different visiting strategies. Wine enthusiasts seeking intimate, educational experiences should focus on the appointment-only locations like Balistreri and Bonacquisti, where winemakers or family members often conduct tours and tastings. Those wanting more casual, walk-in friendly experiences can visit Bigsby's Folly or Blanchard Family Wines, which operate more like wine bars with full food service. The three East 64th Avenue wineries sit close enough for a self-guided urban wine trail, while RiNo's Bigsby's and downtown's Blanchard pair well with broader neighborhood exploration.

Allow 60-90 minutes per winery for unhurried tastings and conversation. Most visitors can comfortably visit 2-3 wineries in an afternoon, though the geographic spread between clusters means planning is essential. The East 64th Avenue trio works well as a concentrated route, while combining RiNo, downtown, and Highlands locations requires more transit time but offers diverse neighborhood experiences.

Denver's climate features 300 days of sunshine annually with low humidity, but high elevation means intense UV exposure and rapid weather changes. Summer afternoons can see sudden thunderstorms, while winter brings occasional snow. Spring and fall offer ideal visiting conditions with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. The urban setting means weather has less impact than at rural wineries—all tastings occur indoors.

Rideshare services operate throughout Denver and provide the safest option for visiting multiple wineries. The RTD light rail serves both Bigsby's Folly (38th & Blake station) and Blanchard Family Wines (Union Station area), making these accessible via public transit. Designated drivers work well for the East 64th Avenue cluster where wineries are close together. Some visitors combine winery stops with exploration of Denver's RiNo Art District, Dairy Block restaurants, or nearby breweries.

Getting There

Denver International Airport serves as the primary gateway, located 25 miles northeast of the winery areas. From DEN, take Peña Boulevard west to Interstate 70 westbound. For the East 64th Avenue wineries, exit at York Street (Exit 278) or Brighton Boulevard (Exit 275B) and head north. For RiNo's Bigsby's Folly, exit at Brighton Boulevard and head south to Wazee Street. For downtown's Blanchard Family Wines at Dairy Block, continue on I-70 west to Interstate 25 southbound, then exit at 20th Street. For Bonacquisti in the Highlands, take I-70 west to I-25 southbound, then exit at 23rd Avenue.

Downtown Denver hotels provide a convenient base, sitting 10-20 minutes from most urban wineries. From downtown, take Interstate 25 north to Interstate 70 east for the East 64th Avenue cluster, using the same exits noted above. RiNo and Dairy Block locations are walkable or a short rideshare from downtown accommodations. Federal Boulevard (US 287) runs north from downtown directly to the East 64th Avenue area without highway driving for those preferring surface streets.

Parking varies by location. The East 64th Avenue wineries (Balistreri, Spero, Kingman) offer dedicated parking lots, though spaces can be limited at smaller operations. Bigsby's Folly provides street parking along Wazee Street and the adjacent railroad tracks. Blanchard Family Wines in the Dairy Block features metered street parking and paid lots typical of downtown Denver, with nearby public garages available. Bonacquisti in the Highlands has street parking in a residential neighborhood.

Related Resources

Wine enthusiasts visiting Denver should explore the broader Colorado wine region, home to over 68 wineries concentrated in the Grand Valley and West Elks AVAs along the Western Slope. These regions supply much of the fruit used by Denver's urban winemakers and offer distinctly different experiences in scenic vineyard settings. Denver's urban wineries provide an excellent introduction to Colorado wine before venturing west to the source vineyards.

The city's craft beverage scene extends beyond wine to include nationally recognized breweries and distilleries, many located in the same RiNo and northwest Denver neighborhoods as the wineries. Visitors interested in Colorado's overall beverage culture will find complementary experiences throughout the metro area.