Special Recognition for the 2004 Restaurant Recognition Program went to Strings in Denver and the Briarhurst Manor in Manitou Springs for their long term and high profile featuring of Colorado wines. The recently opened Red Rose Cafe in Palisade also received Special Recognition for having an entire wine list exclusively of Colorado wines. The $1000 cash prizes went to Winfield's and Lombard's at the Double Eagle Casino in Cripple Creek for the Best Colorado Wine List by the Glass, to The Flying Fork Cafe and Bakery in Paonia for the Best Colorado Wine List by the Bottle and to The Butcher Shop in Steamboat Springs for the Best Colorado Wine and Food Promotion. All six restaurants received beautiful double-magnum bottles hand-painted by Denver artist Joan Klipping as trophies.

For 2005, The Briarhurst Manor took the award for Best Colorado Wine and Food Promotion for a winemaker dinner they hosted. The Red Rose Cafe of Palisade won recognition for their wine list featuring exclusively Colorado wines by the glass and the bottle. And Winfield's and Lombard's at the Double Eagle Casino in Cripple Creek won again for their extensive list of Colorado wines by the bottle.

Congratulations to all of the past winners.

Now it's your turn! If your restaurant offers Colorado wine on its wine list or as a special feature, the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board would like to thank you for recognizing the quality wines being produced in our state - and for allowing your customers to experience a Colorado wine. Restaurants play a crucial role in the development of a state's wine industry by introducing local wines and wineries to wine enthusiasts.

And now more than ever consumers are seeking authentic local culinary experiences, demanding local foods and wines with a smaller carbon footprint and giving a boon to the local economy.

The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board realizes how important your restaurant is to the continued growth of the state's wine industry and is thereby proud to announce the Fourth Annual Colorado Wine Restaurant Recognition Program. The awards given out recognize and honor those Colorado restaurants that have demonstrated support for the Colorado wine industry by actively promoting Colorado wines on their wine lists.

In addition, the Colorado Wine Restaurant Recognition Program will formally recognize two restaurants that have demonstrated extraordinary support for the Colorado wine industry. By providing a platform for recognizing Colorado wine supporters, the program hopes to encourage all Colorado restaurants to support Colorado wines.

If you are interested in participating in this year's recognition program, simply check the "Yes, I want to participate!" check box below and complete the requested information. You will be required to have included Colorado wines on your wine list at sometime during the twelve months ending December 31, 2008, and to submit a copy of your wine list verifying the presence of Colorado wines as well as records verifying purchases. Entrees will be reviewed by Rocky Mountain News food writer John Lehndorff and Colorado Wine Board Execurive Director Doug Caskey.

At a special reception on Monday, February 2, 2009, the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board will present awards for "Colorado Wine Restaurants of the Year" for their outstanding recognition and support of Colorado wines.

Congratulations to all of the past winners
2004 Restaurant Recognition Program Awards:

• Special Recognition: Strings, Denver; Briarhurst Manor, Manitou Springs and the Red Rose Cafe, Palisade
• Winfield's and Lombard's at the Double Eagle Casino in Cripple Creek for the Best Colorado Wine List by the Glass
• The Flying Fork Cafe and Bakery in Paonia for the Best Colorado Wine List by the Bottle
• The Butcher Shop in Steamboat Springs for the Best Colorado Wine and Food Promotion.
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For 2005:

• The Briarhurst Manor for Best Colorado Wine and Food Promotion
• The Red Rose Cafe, Palisade for their wine list featuring exclusively Colorado wines by the glass and the bottle.
• Winfield's and Lombard's at the Double Eagle Casino, Cripple Creek for their extensive list of Colorado wines by the bottle.

The 2007 winners were:

• Juicy Lucy's Steakhouse, Glenwood Springs for Best Wine List by the Bottle
• The Mercury Cafe, Denver for Best Wine List by the Glass
• Restaurant Six89, Carbondale for Best Pairing of Colorado Food and Wines

Restaurant honorees will receive a recognition distinguishing them as extraordinary supporters of Colorado wines. This recognition will include:

• A cash reward of up to $1000, depending on the number of restaurants selected
• An engraved award
• Special media and advertising recognition as a 2008 honoree of the Colorado Wine Restaurant Recognition Program
• Press release announcement and potential media coverage on the honoree designation