Dunton Hot Springs Formally Announces Partnership with Sutcliffe Vineyards in Colorado's McElmo Canyon
Dolores, Colorado (17 September 2010) – Christoph Henkel, owner of Dunton Hot Springs, a perfectly restored ghost town and exclusive resort nestled deep in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies, is pleased to formally announce a mutually beneficial partnership with Sutcliffe Vineyards in Cortez, Colorado. Our vineyard sits at 5200 feet elevation, fifteen miles southwest of Cortez down McElmo Canyon upon mineral-rich, red sandy loam soils. Sutcliffe Vineyards is 12 acres of Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot nestled at the foot of the Sleeping Ute Mountain just over an hour south of Dunton Hot Springs. With the introduction of alcohol inclusive rates at Dunton in 2010, guests are able to enjoy all the different wines produced at the vineyard while staying at Dunton, and possibly even have an opportunity to meet John Sutcliffe, who entertains with many a story about wine and other adventures.
John Sutcliffe came to the United States in 1968 after seven years in the British Army. Graduating from Reed College in 1973, he moved to New York City and its' restaurant world. After managing the wildly successful Maxwell's Plum, he helped Warner Leroy re-open Tavern on the Green. A series of restaurants followed from his new base in Charleston SC. Battlerock Ranch was bought in 1992 to farm hay, and livestock. Then, in 1995 the first vines were planted, and by 2001 the 1999 vintage was released. Sutcliffe’s wines are now shipped all over the United States. It would be nice to think that Sutcliffe had lofty dreams of one day owning a vineyard, although that would be untrue. It is a genuine love of farming that has driven the vineyard forward.
One-hundred years ago it was McElmo that provided the food for the mining towns of Telluride, Durango and Dunton. Today, we continue that tradition by farming to provide a product for those same mountain towns and beyond. Our vineyard produces fruit of such quality that, year after year, the balance of flavors never fails to amaze. A Chateau among Native American ruins, we irrigate sparingly and grow our fruit naturally. Our wines are clean and rich, but they also have structure and backbone, and age like first growths. Even in a democracy it falls to one man to make the final decision, and with our wines that man is Joe Buckle, our Wine Maker. Buckle moved to Colorado from Sonoma after four months of consulting for Sutcliffe. His credentials include stints at some of the most prestigious California wineries, including B.R. Cohn and Flowers. There are innumerable steps on the way to great wine, and Buckle pursues those steps with a gentle hand.
For more information about Dunton Hot Springs, visit www.DuntonHotSprings.com or call (970) 882-4800.
Dunton Hot Springs thrives on contradictions combining the sophistication and exclusivity of a private resort with the relaxed, absolute comfort of the Colorado Rockies. The Resort was recently named “#1 Luxury Hotel in the U.S.” and “#5 All-Inclusive in the World” by TripAdvisor, which provides recommendations based on over 35 million traveler reviews & opinions.
Dunton Hot Springs features 12 whimsical, elegant and completely unique cabins. Boasting an open-air chapel, towering waterfall, yoga studio, bathhouse, original saloon & dancehall, teepee, library, boxing gym, climbing wall and a staff that goes “above and beyond” to satisfy guests, Dunton Hot Springs truly is an idyllic “Mountain Classic.” Here guests discover uncompromising service, exceptional food, and authentic mountain adventure.
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(Photos available upon request.)
Contact:
Christina Rossi, Director of Marketing, Sales & PR Dunton Hot Springs
Tel: 970-882-3758
Email: crossi@duntonhotsprings.com
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