QUICK! : Think of a happy memory from childhood.

Most likely, the scene in your mind involves something called the bulbus olfactorius, otherwise known as your olfactory bulb. In layman’s terms, this “bulb” provides you with the wonderful sense of smell.  Let’s try it again, this time close your eyes for a moment and let your sense of scent memory join the party. 

Savor it for a minute or two…….go ahead, we’ll wait.

Maybe this exercise has you dreaming of the aroma of mom’s homemade double-fudge brownies -- which paired perfectly with a cold glass of milk. Perhaps it’s a throwback to the adults in your family sitting around the dining room table enjoying a freshly-brewed pot of strong coffee and conversation. The memory of your grandmother’s anisette cookies dancing in your head like Christmas sugarplums? You know, the ones you never really appreciated until you were a bit older. Ahhh, yes…those. Dad’s cologne? Your Uncle’s cigar? You can sometimes almost smell these scents as if they’re with you in real-time.  We have that cool little bulb to thank for our olfactory memory, and it also assists our brains with recollecting odors from moments past.

Here in Sunnyside, we have our very own collection of special bouquets, and we wanted to write about them – and hear about your favorites scents of the neighborhood.

The aromatic scent of roasted coffee beans is such a pleasant way to awaken our sense of smell, especially early in the morning. Common Grounds Coffeehouse accommodates our noses -- and they serve up some pretty delicious coffee. 

The early hours are also the perfect time to experience the spicy scent of freshly baked corn tortillas from Pochitos Tortilla Factory.  The essence of lightly baked cornmeal fills the morning air, and usually puts us in the mood for some tasty Mexican food (which is a natural match with our Sunnyside Rosé).

Our Vinny No Neck (100% Sangiovese red wine) meets its match with the delightful scent of garlic wafting from Gaetano's Italian restaurant. Sauce or gravy, just add garlic, and it’s all good!

Herbaceous hops are another regular scent in Sunnyside. Diebolt Brewing, Factotum Brew House and The Crooked Stave are local breweries where you can enjoy a cold one, plus, our winery is just a couple blocks away, so we're fortunate to smell the hops of what’s soon-to-be poured into someone's glass. Nice, eh?

Fresh cut grass is one of those sweet scents everyone loves. It reminds us of the days when you didn’t have a care in the world, and rolling down that manicured hill was the only thing on your “to do” list for the day.  You may have had to cut the lawn to keep mom and dad happy  -- a chore that helped fill your pockets with some extra allowance. 

In Sunnyside, we also have the fragrance of another type of grass filling the air in certain pockets, but this one conjures up thoughts of Pepé Le Pew (aka "le skunk").  Some people enjoy the grow house scent of cannabis, which actually smells more like moss phlox --those pretty little flowers you see in gardens everywhere, so be sure to stop and smell the phlox next time you see it, and see what you think.

Walter Hagen said: “You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” 

Walter’s right. Enjoy what your olfactory bulb can do, and be sure to share your neighborhood scents and smells with us in the comment section below. We’d love to hear about them!

The Whines of summer: Are we there yet? Why is it raining in June? When does school start so I can get these kids outta my house.

If you would prefer what I prefer, let me tell you about the Wines of Summer.

Warmer weather begs for white wine, and our

Bella Risa - Vino Bianco does not disappoint. A blend of  Sauv Blanc, Pinot Grigio with a splash of Muscato, the crisp citrus flavor is a good escape and a good distraction from the loud noises that are present when kids are home all day.

Sunnyside Red: In the ‘hood, from the ‘hood, for the ‘hood. This chillable red is a Zin blend that is best paired with neighbors, horseshoes and the making of memories. Put your camera in burst mode and snap a picture of the laughs that occur with everyday life.

And like the mosquitos on a damp night once the patio furniture has finally dried out, [d]Red is back baby, or something like that. Syrah and Zin. Big. Spicy. Made for backyard grillin’. Have just enough to keep the skeeters away or a bit more to not care if they try to crash your bar-b-q.

So, three new wines for the summer and all available by the bottle and by the liter in our refillable growler. Starting to feel better?

Wine Club Pick Up Party - Saturday, June 20th

Wine Club members join us for a summer release party the official kick off to summer. Not a member? Join the family here.

Live Music in June

Fridays Uncorked gets jumping with the songwriting talent of Colin Patrick and Lovelorn Regal on June 5th. On the 12th, Add 2 brings the 80's and 90's hits to the winery.  Then on June 19th, please welcome a tribute to the music of Steely Dan with My Old School. If you'd like to shake you groove thing, bring it to the winery on the 26th for LC's Shake It Band.  

Whether you like to whine or wine, we hope to see you out at the winery. Cheers!

Four Bites from The Chocolate Lab Denver That Match Perfectly With Bonacquisti Wines

For the last nine years, we’ve been hosting a Valentine’s Day wine and chocolate party that is so romantic, we figure we might be putting Cupid out of work.

But the most fun part of the party is the research before hand. A few weeks prior to the annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, we pick up several truffles from The Chocolate Lab, a small batch, hand crafted chocolate maker in Denver, open some wine and figure out which pairings work — and which don’t.

It’s a process we look forward to each year, with the result being a fabulous four-part menu sure to tempt all chocoholics during the celebration at the winery that will impress any Valentine’s Day date like no dinner and a movie plan can. The event includes four wine and chocolate pairings and live music from Add 2 and Gumbo Le Funque.

Here’s the 2015 tasting lineup for the 9th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Commence salivating now:

Vinny No Neck - Sangiovese with Pecan Toffee with Caramel and Bacon
Delagua Classic - Zinfandel/Petite Sirah with Cinnamon Chili Truffle
Barbera with Jalepeno Pop Rock Truffle
Zin Port with Glazed Pecans with Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Powder

For more:
9th annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend at Bonacquisti Wine Co., 4640 Pecos St., 2–8 p.m. Feb. 14th. Tickets are $25 ($22.50 for Wine Club members). Call 303-477-9463 for info.