Bross Hotel Bed & Breakfast

Wine Tourism Day 6 May 2013, 6:18 pm

The nation's first Wine Tourism Day is Saturday, May 11th.  Wineries throughout the country will be offering tastings, dinners, and other events.  Here in the Paonia/West Elks Winery area, Stone Cottage
Cellars is offering a special weekend for those who want to learn more about vineyards, wine tasting, and the pairing of wines and food.  For specifics on the package see the preceding blog post.  There are a few rooms still available for the weekend so call today to reserve your place for the weekend - 970-527-3444. 

Get Away For a Wine Weekend 15 Apr 2013, 9:48 am

Treat your mother/wife to a fantastic Mother's Day getaway and get a jump on the wine tasting season.  Stone Cottage Cellars, the Bross Hotel and the Living Farm Cafe are offering a package deal you don't want to miss.  Arrive at the Bross Hotel Friday evening, May 10 for a wine reception where you'll meet the other guests on this weekend getaway.  After a good night's rest and one of Linda's scrumptious breakfasts spend the morning exploring the area (the sheep dog trials are one possibility).  In the afternoon the Hellecksons will  educate you on wine production in the North Fork Valley and the art of wine tasting.  And, before you leave Stone Cottage Cellars you'll choose your favorite 10 bottles of wine to fill you very own case (cost included in weekend price).  Pairing wine with food will be highlighted at dinner prepared by Chef Michael of the Living Farm Cafe.  All in all, the weekend will be a special treat for that someone in your life.  Cost:  $595 per couple, plus tax and tips.  Slots are filling fast for this event so call 970-527-3444 for your reservation today. 

The Orchards Are Blooming! 6 Apr 2013, 6:16 pm

Yes, the apricots trees are now flowering.  By next weekend you should be able to view the gorgeous pink blossoms of the cherries.  It's a sight you'll want to see so call today for reservations at Paonia's historic hotel.  The Bross Hotel B&B will welcome you and offer you the April discount of 30% off a two-night stay.  It's a deal -- low price and fantastic views.  Call today - 970-527-6776.

Spring is Special 30 Mar 2013, 8:11 pm

Yes, spring is a special time of year.  In the North Fork Valley it is Blossom Month.  Noted for its many orchards, the valley celebrates the renewal of spring each April with the abundant blossoms that herald the growing season.  The show begins with apricot blossoms and progresses through cherries, peaches, plums, pears, and apples. 

Stay at the Bross Hotel for two nights during April and get a 30% discount on your room.  And, you can enjoy our perennial gardens.  They are coming alive now and the vibrant colors of the primroses and crocus are a welcome sight after winter.  The tulips and daffodils are up about six inches and will be blooming in April.  So come to Paonia for the blossoms and the discount.

I'll be glad to provide directions for a self-guided tour of orchards.  You can call ahead for a blossom update throughout the month.  But make your plans and reservations now by calling 970-527-6776.  Be sure to tell me you want the April Special rate.

Prepare for the Holidays 5 Dec 2012, 10:23 am

It's time to prepare for the holidays.  Folks are scurrying around shopping for the perfect gifts to give their loved ones.  The stores are busy and the background music clearly tells us that Christmas is just around the corner.  The lists are long with gifts to buy, decorating to do, and parties to attend.  So, what are you doing to prepare yourself for the holiday?  Let me suggest that you join the Paonia community this weekend for holiday fun.  Begin getting in the Christmas mood by attending a live radio drama of "It's a Wonderful Life"on Friday (or Saturday) evening at the Paradise Theatre.  Afterward, stand on Grand Avenue and view the Garden Club's nativity scene on the hill at the end of the street.  It's a lovely reminder of the real holiday to be celebrated.  Then return to your room at the Bross Hotel B&B for a hot drink and a warm bed.  Saturday join the townspeople on Grand Avenue for a hayride, nibbles at Homestead Market, caroling, and the Gingerbread Festival at the Blue Sage Arts Center.  Try your hand at decorating a gingerbread house and be sure to welcome Santa when he arrives.  So decided right now to be in Paonia Dec. 7 - 9 and make your reservation to stay at the Bross Hotel B&B by calling 970-527-6776. 

Beautiful! 19 Oct 2012, 1:30 pm

This morning I drove down the valley and it was a beautiful sight.  The fields are green, the cottonwoods along the river and elsewhere are golden, cattle have come home from the high country for the winter, the weather couldn't be better, and the smell of fall is in the air.  Then coming home I enjoyed the added attraction of seeing this beauty against the backdrop of Mt. Beckwith with snow on its summit.  What more could one want on an autumn day? 

Know what I want?  I'd want you to be here to enjoy these gorgeous fall days.  So I'm going to extend my October 15% discount to include any two or more days from now until the end of the month.  Rooms are limited the next two weeks so call today to make your reservation -- 970-527-6776 -- and tell me that you saw this extended offer on the Bross Hotel blog.

It's Not Too Late 9 Oct 2012, 7:14 pm

No, it's not too late to make a trip to Paonia.  In fact, it's a good time to visit Paonia.  The aspens are still beautiful on the mountainsides.  The valley is now changing color.  The wine tasting rooms and farmers' markets are still open.  But not for long.  The witching hour is the end of October.  Then the markets and tasting rooms will close for the winter and the aspens will drop their leaves.  So plan to visit the North Fork Valley soon.

What awaits you?  Some of Colorado's best wines.  Great fruit - apples are in abundance now.  Good buys on locally processed food items as the markets clear stock in preparation for closing.  Magnificent scenery. And, of course, comfortable beds and delicious, abundant breakfasts at the Bross Hotel B&B.  But that's not all - make your reservation at the Bross for at least two nights, Sunday through Thursday, and get a 15% discount on your room.  Call today - 970-527-6776

It's Harvest Time! 31 Aug 2012, 10:37 am

It's harvest time in the North Fork Valley.  There's fruit galore and all kinds of fresh produce.  The farm markets are busy and folks are busy canning and freezing the harvest.

And, it's time to celebrate.  Yes, the celebration will occur Sept. 27 - 30.  It's called the Mountain Harvest Festival and it celebrates the many harvests of the valley - music, art, food, wine, and community.  Won't you join the celebration?  Not only will the valley celebrate, but there are learning opportunities, too.  Workshops and tours related to farming and wine making. 

There's the Grape Stomp, too.  A really fun event in which teams compete to see which one can get the most juice from a tub of grapes.  Do you have a competitive spirit?  Do you and your friends think you could get the most juice from a bucket of grapes?  Would you like to represent the Bross Hotel?  The hotel will pay your registration fee, which supports the Paonia Library, and provide four tickets to the festival music event that evening.  If interested, please call Linda at 970-527-6776. 

Come celebrate the harvest!.

Music in the North Fork 14 Aug 2012, 11:26 am

Paonia and "music" are almost synonymous.  There are lots of musicians living here and many who stop here to share their music.  This month, August, you'll find a series of free concerts in the park on Thursday evenings.  August 16th will feature "Liza's Gogo Lab" with an electronica vibe that's great for dancing.  Then Darrell Scott arrives in Paonia on August 23rd.  He's straight out of Nashville and sings the old country music. 

If you can get away for two nights, arrive on August 22nd and attend the Paradise Theater concert featuring "Walter Parks and Swamp Cabbage".  They'll treat you to an evening of roots music. 

And, remember, the Bross Hotel B & B is your home in Paonia.  It's convenient to restaurants and both music venues.  You can make a reservation by calling 970-527-6776.  Come for the music, but stay for Linda's breakfast.

Follow the West Elks Wine Trail 18 Jun 2012, 7:34 pm

The eleven winemakers of the North Fork Valley invite you to the 4th annual West Elks Wine Trail being held August 2 through 5.  This is your opportunity to not only taste their wine, but to sample winemaker selected food and wine pairings.  Visit five wineries and receive a complimentary wine glass.  Collect winemaker recipes at each winery to produce a memorable recipe book. 

Make this weekend a mini-vacation.  Arrive Thursday and kick off the weekend by attending the free concert in Paonia’s town park.  Friday and Saturday you can pick up a map and follow the wine trail.  Not to be missed are the dinners being offered by some of the wineries:
      Friday -- Black Bridge Winery -- Dinner by the River - 6 pm - $60 pp
                     RSVP  970-517-6838

     Saturday -- Alfred Eames Cellars - Winemakers Dinner - 6:30 pm - $60 pp
                         RSVP 970-527-3269

                         Leroux Creek Vineyard - Dine in the Vines - 6:30 pm. - $65 pp
                         RSVP  970-872-4746

                         Stone Cottage Cellars -- Wood-Fired Oven Farm Dinner - 6:30 - 8:30 pm
                         $50 pp     RSVP  970-527-3444

                         Azura Cellars -- Dinner at Twilight - 7 pm - $75
                         RSVP  970-390-4251

Make your reservations at the Bross Hotel now for this fabulous weekend.  Call 970-527-6776.  And, remember, reservations are a “must” for the winemaker dinners.  Don’t delay in making your calls today.