Welcome back to Colorado Springs!! This summer I was able to find an assignment at UCHealth Memorial Hospital, right in the Springs!! It was so nice and close, maybe like 15 minutes away from where we were staying in our motorhome!! This hospital is where I learned about the cutest little town [ever] from my co-workers… Manitou Springs!! Manitou is the home of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the Manitou Incline, and a lovely Historic Downtown with lots of activities, shopping, and restaurants.
We went to walk around one day during the week. [after we tried to go the previous Saturday... it was off the chain busy, like we couldn’t find any parking busy – which Shawn loved so, we went back home. Hahaha] Not only do they have multiple streets of shops to walk up and down on, outside murals painted on the buildings to enjoy but... there was a Penny Arcade with all the old games in the center of town!! Plus, one of the buildings housed like a dozen skee-ball lanes and it ended up being so much fun!! While we were walking around, I just so happened to see a sign for D’Vine Wine “Your Personal Winery.” [what can I say!? LOL]
Located in the heart of Historic Manitou Springs, [@ 934 Manitou Ave, Suite 108] D'Vine Wine has now been renamed Manitou Winery… pronounced MA-nih-TOO WY-nuh-ree... [I absolutely love that they had this on their website!! Haha] They are still in the same location and as far as I can tell, and they are still locally owned and operated by the same ladies as when it was known as D'Vine Wine. With almost 20 years of experience, they are very proud of the fact that their wines are blended, fermented, and bottled in house!!
The winemaker [who I cannot find any information about at all, not even a name.. things that make you go hmmmm!!] handcrafts traditional varietal wines, as well as seasonal custom blends full of fruity flavor. I do not think I’ve ever experienced so many wines made from different fruits. [The blueberry Pinot Noir is my favorite, I mean just take a peek at the adorable blueberry label in the last photo!!] In addition to the relaxing patio seating, they offer daily wine tasting, live music, private events, and bottling parties!!
The above photo may be one of my favorite winery patio photos. [stay tuned.. you may just see it pop up as a customized wine label in the near future!!] When you walked into the place [and I wish I would have paid a little more attention to its detail] you were immediately in the seating area and there was a beautiful, spacious bar across the back. However, I was instantly drawn to the outside patio and that is where we sat to enjoy the great service and a deliciously refreshing fruity wine flight, accompanied by a yummy charcuterie board!! Then they came out and sprung the desert options on us including… wine ice cream!!
Even though I am not a huge ice cream fan, I felt obligated to give it a try. [after all, my dad always said that that you were never too full for ice-cream since it just melts and fills in the cracks!! Aww] I was pleasantly surprised by its creamy sweet wine taste!! I may have even obtained this very easy recipe… ¾ cup Riesling [I have also made this with other wines] 3 heaping TBS fine sugar, 1 ¼ cup heaving whipping cream. Whisk wine and sugar until the sugar dissolves, gradually whisk heavy cream until it begins to thicken, pour into plastic container with lid and freeze until firm. [about 3-4 hours] Enjoy with fresh fruit and a splash of Riesling!!
Please let me know if you try this recipe and what your thoughts are about wine ice cream!!
Ok guys, I cannot even believe I'm about to say this, but guess what!!? Wine with Wixy is headed to Napa, CA!!! I hope you can all bare with me for the next six weeks [yes I said 6...Six…Sei...Sechs...Seis weeks!!] while we explore a little bit of wine heaven on earth!! I will be not only be visiting vineyards and wineries, but we’ll take a ride on the wine train, and maybe even stomp some grapes!!
Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!
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