CHRISTOPHER KELLEY
NEDERLAND – It’s that time of year again, when lovers of fine wine and smooth jazz come to Chipeta Park, wearing their biggest sun hats, donning their brightest polos, ready to saunter from booth to booth for a tasting here, a sample there, all under the sizzling sun for one of the last hoorahs of the summer season.
It’s the 2025 Nederland Jazz & Wine Festival.
Over 1,000 people filled the park and staked their claim to prime real estate on Chipeta Park’s lawn, parking their camping chairs right in front of the Eldora- and KUVO-sponsored stages, which were graced with amazing talent for the fourth annual event.
Robert Johnson and the Mark Diamond Trio brought the crowd to church, and the Chantil Dukart Duo jammed and jived. Closing the evening was the debut of The Shape of Jazz, an ensemble of some of the most influential jazz artists from around the world, led by Jeffrey Franca from Thievery Corporation.
While the music filled the air and produced just the right vibes for the afternoon, music lovers and wine connoisseurs united and gelled as they were welcome to experience unlimited sampling of the unique and tasty offerings from up to 28 distinct wineries, distilleries, and breweries.
Local favorites like Augustina’s Winery, Busey Brews, and Gold Dirt Distillery represented the Peak to Peak area with their signature favorites, as well as new additions to their already impressive rosters, including a delicious rose-infused gin from Gold Dirt, which makes for a refreshing cocktail, perfect for a hot, summer day.
There were returning favorites, like Evergood, whose unique lemon-based process creates such tasty wines as their signature Skier Pee; and there were also new, refreshing non-alcoholic vendors, including Frescos Naturale, who offered delicious Hibiscus-, Tamarind-, and Passion Fruit-flavored aquas frescas.
Festival goers worked up an appetite as they delighted in the free wine samples and indulged in some free-form dancing. Luckily, there were plenty of options for sustenance to satisfy even the most picky of palates.
Bohemian Wurst served up bratwurst and spicy cheese and jalapeno elk sausage; Mama Roos offered their crowd-pleasing smashburgers and fries; The Captain provided street tacos and “Mexican sushi;” and The Wandering Potato served their spuds loaded with a wide variety of toppings and sauces.
Additionally, this year’s VIP experience was hosted by Ameristar Black Hawk, who provided a five-star meal to those elite guests who wished to bask in the jazzy vibes under the shade of an exclusive canopy tent.
The festival also highlighted local artists and artisans, including Bishop Fine Art and Laurence Delaunay ART @ Lolo’s Atelier, who showcased their latest collections. Independent Mountain Jewelry Company and Wabi-Sabi Metals Studio also exhibited their intricate and beautiful custom jewelry.
Eclectic vendors pleased festivalgoers with a wide range of innovative and pleasure-inducing products.
A local Nederland artist, Kate Woodliff O’Donnell, also lent her amazing talent to the event, using her incredible skills with colored pencil to design and create the official 2025 Ned Jazz Wine poster.
This year’s festival was sponsored by Homes by Jackie Jones, Eldora, KUVO, Allstate, The Mountain-Ear, Postino, Peak Wine and Spirits, Uproot Florist, Ned General Store, Busey Brews, KGNU, Ameristar Black Hawk, the Nederland Downtown Development Authority, and more.
Proceeds from each ticket sold will be donated to benefit TEENS, Inc.’s Outdoor Leadership Program, which provides personal growth and connection with peers for area youth through summer work opportunities and outdoor adventures.
Dining and Cooking