I didn’t even know Elizabeth Montana of DreamItalia and her husband the famous Denver sushi master Yasu Kizaki were longtime readers of Dream of Italy when I attended the Italian Wine and Movie Night they co-organized last summer at Balistreri Vineyards in Denver. It was simply the best event I have been to in the two years I have lived in Denver. I felt like I was transported to a magical summer evening in Italy and still haven’t stopped talking about the film Pranzo di Ferragosto (Mid-August Lunch) which was screened under a big tent.
Fast forward to this year, Elizabeth and Yasu have become my friends, Balistreri has an incredible new tasting room and event space (which I saw at an incredible opening event with food by Top Chef Hosea Rosenberg) and the Annual Italian Wine and Movie Night is set for Saturday, July 21st. If you’re an Italophile and anywhere near Denver, don’t miss this event. My mouth is already watering for the food and wine and this year’s movie is Pane e Tulipani (Bread & Tulips). I can safely say that Elizabeth and Yasu as well as Julie Balistreri and her father, winemaker John Balistreri, share my passion and perfectionism when it comes to all things Italian. You will not be disappointed!
As if Yasu doesn’t have enough on his plate (excuse any pun here) — he is one of the hardest working men in the sushi world, you must read this incredible profile in a recent issue of 5280 — he also has another wonderful event he’s hosting at Balistreri: KUVO’s Mambo in the Vineyard on August 11th.
Nearly 700 jazz fans are expected for this fundraiser for KUVO Jazz 89 Radio. The music will be provided by local group Salsa con Jazz and boy, is the audience in for the a treat. I just saw the group for the first time this past Sunday at Denver’s incredible series of free summer concerts, City Park Jazz. It was at least 100 degrees that evening but that didn’t stop thousands of Denverites from grooving to the sounds of this electric latin rhythms. And add in some wine tasting at Balistreri — the vineyard will be rockin!
I’ll see you at Balistreri this summer!