Of 163 entries from 20 Colorado wineries at last week's Colorado Mountain Winefest, Denver's own Balistreri Vineyards won Best of Show for its elegant, 2008 Petite Sirah.

It's a big wine, perfect for cool-weather dishes like venison stew or boeuf bourguignon, but it's also surprisingly drinkable on its own. And while the wine, which tastes of spicy dark plums, will age well, it's also delicious right now.

Get a taste of the Petite Sirah---or any of the nine wines for which Balistreri won honors---at the winery's seventh-annual Harvest Party on Sunday, October 4, from noon to 6 p.m. The $55 advance ticket price (plus tax; $60 at the door) includes tasting samples, a commemorative wine glass, and plenty of food.

Tip: Kids will love participating in the children's grape stomping (arrive by 2 p.m.). All grapes stomped that day will be bottled next year as Balistreri's 2009 Colorado Little Feet Merlot. Last year's event produced a nicely tannic Merlot, perfect for aging.

1946 E. 66th Ave., 303-287-5156