Behind the Vines: Silver Vines Winery

The Winery: Silver Vines Winery

Opened: 2011

The People: Minnesotan brothers—and Silver Vines Winery owners—Danny and Jeff Chayer are both lifelong wine lovers. Jeff studied Viticulture and Enology while Danny learned how to manage business at the award-winning Landon Winery in Texas; afterward, the pair moved to Colorado to explore their very own wine opportunities.

The Space: Silver Vines Winery is located in a beautifully restored warehouse at the edge of Arvada’s quaint Olde Town. The cozy interior is dominated by a glossy wooden bar along with additional seating areas, ranging from deep leather loungers to high-top tables surrounded by tall wooden chairs. The red brick walls are tastefully decorated with cork and other art, and the entire space has a friendly, relaxed ambiance.

The Grapes: One reason the brothers chose Colorado for their wine business is because its one of the few states that allows winemakers to import grapes across state lines. Taking full advantage of this fact, winemaker Jeff uses grapes from several regions in Washington and California, as well as red varietals grown in Palisade.

The Wine: Unlike many wineries that specialize in either reds or whites, Silver Vines has a good selection of both, along with several sweet wines like their popular Rocky White, whose subtle hints of berry pair well with spicy Thai or other zesty food.

Buzzed Trivia: When searching for a name for their winery, the Chayers wanted to play up the idea of a sparkling metal along with grape vines. Gold seemed too easy, but after a few bottles of wine, someone came up with ‘Silver Vines,’ and the name stuck.

Taste it: Visitors to the Arvada winery can taste three wines for $8. I recommend taking advantage of this price to try several of the reds. Their top seller is the impressive Grandview Reserve, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah with slight cherry aromas and a distinct, smoky flavor. Jeff’s Primitivo, which has more pepper and a lingering, spicy warmth, is perfect for a chilly winter night.

Take Home: For a unique, made-in-Colorado gift, consider a bottle of Silver Vines’ Encore wine, which is only sold during the holidays, or their Chocolate Delight, an unusual combination of late-harvest Zinfandel grapes blended with chocolate—yes, chocolate—to create a tempting digestif.

Visit: Silver Vines Winery is open Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m. 7509 Grandview Ave., Arvada; 303-456-5212