A B-Cycle food and wine adventure in Denver
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Denver B-Cycles come complete with a very large basket, perfect to carry leftovers or bottles from the winery home.[/caption]
Denver was a launch site for the community bike share program B-Cycle, which we think is pretty darn cool. The concept is simple: B-Cycle stations are located throughout the city, and anyone can rent a bike for 24 hours for just $8, traveling from station to station throughout Denver (though you have to dock a bike back up within 30 minutes to avoid extra fees).
It got us thinking that this community share bike program can launch fellow wine lovers on a food and Bonacquisti wine across Denver. These adventures all start at the 16th and Boulder station, which is the closest to the winery.
To Cherry Creek and Beyond! (5 miles)
Tony Pasquini has been busy this past year, taking back many of the the Pasquini's Pizza restaurants he franchised — and opening new ones, including a Cherry Creek location. Although to avoid confusion with a Pasquini's his sister owns nearby, the Cherry Creek location is known simply as Tony P's. It's a pizzeria first, but offers a diverse offering of Italian sandwiches and pastas to go alongside our wines.
Directions: Head downhill, across the two pedestrian bridges connecting downtown. Once in Commons Park, head south to connect with the Cherry Creek path, then pretty much follow that until you get to Cherry Creek North. There's a B-Cycle station at the corner of 3rd and Milwaukee, and Tony P's is a half block away.
To the Other Neighborhood Bar (2.6 miles)
We're fond of the neighborhood bars and restaurants that dot the landscape of Sunnyside and Highland, but there are plenty of other fantastic areas throughout the city that feature dining establishments equally as homey. The Uptown neighborhood, for example, is home to Jonesy's EatBar, a bistro that features tasty American fare and a solid Colorado wine list, including Bonacquisti jug wines. We're fans of the Mac 'n Cheese, but the rotating seasonal menu impresses at every turn, and the jovial atmosphere inside the restaurant has us a little jealous of Uptown. We still love Sunnyside, don't worry.
Directions: Head downhill, across the two pedestrian bridges connecting downtown. Once in Commons Park, head north to 20th Street, take a right, and cruise along the outskirts of downtown. When you get to 20th Avenue, take a left. Jonesy's will be on the righthand side, and the B-Cycle station will be one block further, basically where 20th Avenue meets 22nd Street.
Bonacquisti Out and Back (3.4 miles, roundtrip):
A no-brainer in our mind, the "out and back" is a simple ride north-ish from the B-Cycle station to get to the winery. Plus we're now open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays for our extended Tap Room hours, which turns our tasting room into the happy hour stop of Sunnyside. We have pub tables set in the tasting room, a relaxing back patio for sipping and great deals on wine by the glass. And we have noticed that a half-case of wine fits pretty well in the Denver B-Cycle basket (wink, wink).
Directions: Head up 16th and take the bend onto Tejon Street until you reach 46th. Take a right on 46th, left on Pecos and right into the parking lot anchored by the Quizno's. Note: There's a good chance you'll take the bike out for more than the 30 minutes allowed, so expect a few extra bucks charged to your card for renting the B-Cycle.
Back to Highland
Of course, many of these adventures can end at the 16th and Boulder B-Cycle station. If you're coming our way, enjoy Bonacquisti wines at Pasquini's Pizza (32nd and Zuni), Linger (30th and Tejon) and Highland Tap & Burger (32nd and Vallejo).
