Wikihow's article about choosing a good winemaker emphasizes that the right person "must have an analytical mind" and "be capable of wearing many hats." The article goes on to point out that a great winemaker views winemaking as a "way of living." The author must have been thinking of Blake Eliasson of Settembre Cellars when writing that article. 

Blake and his wife, Tracy, both engineers whose passion for wine led them to found Settembre Cellars in 2007, encompass all of those traits. Their technical knowledge and the extensive thought process behind their wine production more than hints at their engineering backgrounds, and a visit to their home, with floors made of cork and a garage full of winemaking barrels, proves that winemaking is most certainly their way of life.

Influenced by Italian wines, Settembre Cellars' tag line is "Colorado grapes, Boulder wine. Crafting Old-World styled wines, naturally," which is a promise on which they flawlessly deliver. In an article about Settembre Cellars, wine aficionado and Colorado native Rick Bakas heralded Settembre's Alsatian Riesling as "easily the best Riesling (he's) had from Colorado." Bakas went on to praise the Cabernet Sauvignon as having a "nice balance" with some "sweet rhubarb and blackberry on the nose."

According to Eliasson, Colorado's arid climate makes for perfect growing conditions. This, coupled with their desire to tread as lightly as possible on the earth, has convinced the Eliassons that Settembre Cellars should source the grapes they can't grow in their backyard vineyard from growers in Palisade, CO.

Customers are clearly in agreement that the combination of Colorado grapes and an analytical mind is a formula for great wines. In a short few months since the release of their first 150 cases, Settembre Cellars has sold out of their Sangiovese and Riesling.

Settembre Cellars Syrah, Cabernet Sauvingon, and Chardonnay are still available. They can be purchased in North and Central Boulder for bicycle delivery or shipped to anywhere in Colorado, California, and North Dakota. Additionally, for the first three weeks in December, Settembre Cellars is hosting wine tastings at Oliv You & Me in Boulder, when customers can buy tasters, glasses, and bottles.

More information:

Wine tasting schedule

Directions to Oliv You & Me

Denver Drinks Examiner, Mark Antonation's story about Settembre Cellars