Castle Rock, CO October 2023

Autumn Delights

Welcome Autumn!

With the changing seasons comes a change in what we crave, and with fall that often means comfort food. October is our most delectable issue of the year, filled with some of our favorite things about the culinary world around town and our amazing state. We've also included a few new recipes for you to try at home, whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests.

The smells of fall bring memories to my mind of sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen, and the aroma of cinnamon, apple, pumpkin, chili and soups of any kind brings me right back to her table, especially during Thanksgiving.

There is definitely an art to creating a flavorful dish that not only satisfies our taste buds but evokes memories. The aroma of certain spices and foods can bring us right back to our childhood, which can be incredibly powerful and comforting. Food brings us all together, and whether we are sharing a meal with loved ones or enjoying a night out on the town, the time spent while enjoying food is invaluable.

As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you around town!

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Mel Miles | mel.miles@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Mary Abel | Mary.abel@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITER

Callie Miller | Callie.Miller@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Matthew Harlan

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mel Miles, Glenna Hope, Hannah Echols, Lisa Bakewell

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Beverage of Business Group, Dan Smedley, Stephanie Abbotts and Glennda Nelson

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

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local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

WE LOVE FOOD TRUCKS! One of our favorite reasons is we always feel like we are discovering the next best thing to share with our friends and family. It’s like we have the best secret to share. Truly, there is always a food truck that offers exactly what you are in the mood for, and we are here for it! Best thing for us is we feel like we can grab it and eat our amazing eats anywhere our heart desires!

Our Picks for Foods to Feast On

BLOOM & GROW KITCHEN - You can find them frequently at 105 West Brewing or Burly Brewing. Everything is fresh and fantastic! NOM NOM!

WOODHILL SMALL BATCH BBQ -  With over 15 years of experience on the BBQ circuit, they know what it takes to deliver award-winning, mouth-watering BBQ.

BEAU JO'S FOOD TRUCK -   If you are from Colorado, you get it. This cult-worthy pizza never gets old. We could eat it daily.

PHILLY ON THE GO - Mouthwatering and hands down the best cheese steak in Castle Rock. Get there early, the line gets long fast!

STACK'D -  Ribeye steak bites over fries, yup you heard US!  Voted the best food truck for 2023, this is a can’t miss! EAT UP!

Scan for more photos and the full list.

STACK’D

COLORADO SKIN CARE SECRETS

Kate Messana, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, affectionately known as Dr. Kate, is co-owner of Elevated Dermatology and Skin Cancer Surgery Center. Castle Rock City Lifestyle caught up with her to chat about high elevation skin care—how to avoid sun damage, how to help repair it, when to get skin check-ups and which products help promote sun safety.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU OFFER CLIENTS TO HELP THEM AVOID SKIN DAMAGE WHILE IN THE COLORADO SUNSHINE?

I recommend an SPF of 30 or higher, applied to all exposed areas, with reapplication every two hours if you are actively out in the sun. Tolerability and [the] feel of the sunscreen are more important than active ingredients; if you don’t like it, you won’t put it on. Any sunscreen is better than none. Be extra careful if your shadow is shorter than you, as this means the sun is [at] its strongest. I also recommend UPF [ultraviolet protection factor] clothing that protects you from the sun because it’s easy to use and you don’t have to worry about reapplication.

“Tolerability and [the] feel of the sunscreen are more important than active ingredients; if you don't like it, you won't put it on. Any sunscreen is better than none.”

Top tips for avoiding skin damage and obtaining and maintaining healthy skin

WHAT TREATMENTS DO YOU OFFER CLIENTS WITH PREVIOUS SKIN DAMAGE?

I recommend an appointment for a full-body skin exam to screen for skin cancers or to discuss sun damage concerns on any part of the body. I also offer cosmetic consultations to discuss the wide variety of aesthetic treatments we offer to improve the health of your skin.

WHAT SKIN DAMAGE/SYMPTOMS SHOULD COMPEL A PERSON TO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST?

Any lesion or lesions [that are] growing, changing color, bleeding, painful or [are] tender for more than a few weeks should be evaluated. It’s also a good idea to watch for textural changes like scaly spots or patches that look dry. I also see many people for aesthetic concerns like worsening wrinkles, skin laxity, dullness, dryness or excessive spots. These are all directly related to sun exposure and damage from the UV radiation from the sun.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A PERSON COME IN FOR A SKIN SCAN? DOES THIS TIMEFRAME CHANGE WITH AGE?

The older you get, the higher the risk you have for developing a skin cancer, so I recommend an exam every 2–5 years as a youth/adolescent, and this interval decreases with age. By the age of 30, I recommend a skin exam yearly. Those with a history of multiple skin cancers may come even as often as every 3–6 months. Skin cancer, especially melanoma, is a skin cancer that can affect someone at any age. If someone has a changing mole, it should be evaluated no matter the age.

WHAT SKIN CARE PRODUCTS DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR COLORADO LIVING?

I recommend vitamin C, vitamin A and many other products that can be used safely in the summer—along with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. I customize each person’s skin care regimen based on several different factors, including age, sun exposure, goals and skin type.

THE PERFECT FALL WEEKEND STARTS AT PALISADE'S WINE COUNTRY INN

WINE WEEKEND

Good food connects. It brings family and friends together and attracts people to explore local businesses and communities. A delicious meal can connect us to vignettes of the past, just as it can cause us to pause in the present. Finally, good food has the power to unite us with the earth that brought it forth. Every piece of produce can be traced back to a plot of land and the hands that harvested it.

Palisade, Colorado, is renowned for producing some of the nation’s best produce. This sunsoaked valley is only four hours from the hustle and bustle of Denver. Slightly warmer temperatures and a much slower pace make Palisade the perfect autumnal weekend getaway. With a population of less than 3,000, Palisade is saturated with small-town charm. Locals, dressed in faded blue jeans and ball caps, welcome strangers as neighbors with unhurried grace.

With more than 35 wineries, it’s no secret that Palisade is a great place to connect with people over a bottle of wine. However, Palisade invites you to slow down and reconnect with yourself

as well. If you need to retreat, reflect, and rest, Palisade is the perfect getaway to put on your calendar this fall.

WHERE TO STAY: THE WINE COUNTRY INN

To get the authentic Palisade experience, book your stay at The Wine Country Inn. This charming lodge is nestled among 21 acres of vineyards and has 80 rooms designed in a Victorian farmhouse style. It’s family-owned and operated, and each member of the core management team has been there for over 10 years. Watch the sun set behind the flat-top mountains from your personal porch, or sip a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc while meandering through the lush property.

In October, your view will be a kaleidoscope of autumnal colors. “All Palisade businesses continue to thrive in the cooler months,” says Saunders Stewart, the sales and event manager at Wine Country Inn, “Leaves are changing in the vineyards, which makes for an unbelievable surrounding for weddings and events.”

The Wine Country Inn takes care of your tastebuds too. They offer a complimentary afternoon wine reception that features selections of their private labels, as well as a free deluxe breakfast. Their restaurant, Caroline’s, provides dinner options that focus on local Colorado meats and produce, and the Tapestry Lounge is an excellent spot for a post-dinner cocktail. Afterward, you can work off some calories in the gym or unwind in the year-round hot tub spa.

To book your stay, visit winecountryinn.com

WHERE TO DRINK

There are dozens of wineries, orchards, and lavender fields scattered about the 25-milelong Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway. Bicyclists and motorists can hop on this scenic route and take their pick of delightful wineries. We chose Colterris Winery, Bookcliff Vineyards, and Meadery of the Rockies.

Colterris is the largest winery in Palisade. It’s a family-run, estate-grown winery, which means that 100% of the grapes are grown on land owned or controlled by Colterris. As Lance Lewis poured Malbec into our glasses, he explained how Palisade has the perfect conditions for growing “rich, intense, world-class fruit.” Diurnal temperatures (hot in the day, cool at night) help generate optimal sweetness, and the high altitude gives grapes thick, tannic skin.

Bookcliff Vineyards is named so because of its stunning views of the Bookcliffs—flat-topped mountains resembling bookshelves. In addition to the panoramic views, we loved this vineyard for its generous wine tastings and lively environment. Bookcliff offers ‘Sunset Saturdays’ through October. There’s live music and a food truck—we indulged in a gooey brie and jam grilled cheese from Underdog Cheese.

THIS COULD BE YOUR PLACE.

Finally, we ended on a sweet note at Meadery of the Rockies. You can sample unique flavors like blackberry mead, apricot honey, and lavender wine. Their honeyed offerings are the cherry on top of a day full of tastings.

WHERE TO PLAY

As true for most Colorado towns, there is no shortage of outdoor activities in Palisade. Bring your pups to Riverbend Park for off-leash fun or hike the 3.3-mile out-and-back Palisade Rim Trail. U-Pick fruit is also a must. While summer in Palisade is notorious for juicy peaches, fall is the prime time to pick apples and pears. To make the experience even more immersive, we recommend riding the Fruit and Wine byway on a cruiser or electric bike from Rapid Creek Cycles. For a slower afternoon, take a stroll through downtown Palisade. The block is speckled with mom-and-pop shops and art galleries if you want to update your wardrobe or home decor.

Patrick Allen, a tasting room host at Colterris Winery and former Disney employee, moved to Palisade a few years ago. He likens the town to a mini-Sonoma or a mini-Napa and affirms that “there’s no way you could do everything in this area in a weekend.” We agree with that assessment—from vineyards and orchards to hikes and bikes, there are several ways to play during your stay in Palisade.

Home Brew

A HOME COFFEE BAR PROVIDES THE PERFECT MORNING GATHERING PLACE

Creating a dedicated space for your caffeine fix is not only convenient, but it also provides the ideal setting for morning gatherings. While a simple coffee maker on your kitchen counter can do the job, you can infuse more passion into your coffee experience. If a fresh cup of coffee is an integral part of your morning ritual, consider establishing a coffee bar in your home. Our straightforward tips will assist you in initiating the process of designing a charming coffee bar at home.

SELECTING THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR COFFEE BAR

Your coffee bar can find a home in various locations, such as a functional kitchen pantry, the kitchen countertop, a compact closet, or even in the dining room. If you have open shelving available, displaying your collection of mugs can enhance your decor. Additionally, consider incorporating a small table beside your refrigerator to maximize space utilization.

Even a modest console table can serve as an effective coffee preparation station. The key is to have a designated spot to store essential home cafe items. Whether integrated into your kitchen design or a standalone space, your coffee station can serve as a captivating focal point.

OPTIONS FOR PLACEMENT

On the Countertop: Your kitchen countertop can serve as an attractive location for a charming coffee bar. This spot offers proximity to a water source and allows you to tailor the coffee space to your family’s preferences, which you can update seasonally.

In a Tall Kitchen Cabinet: A slender, tall kitchen cabinet is well-suited for single coffee machines and can be customized to create an illuminated coffee station. Contrary to the belief that a coffee cabinet should be tucked away, you can design it to resemble your favorite coffee shop, making it a highlight in your home.

On a Rolling Cart: A rolling cart presents a flexible option for showcasing your coffee equipment. These mobile kitchen carts are beloved by small-space homeowners and can be styled with cake stands, mugs, coffee canisters, and more. Personalize it further with artwork, photographs, chalk walls, and endless decor combinations. The rolling cart’s versatility is especially valuable in compact spaces and can infuse an element of excitement into your setup.

On a Small Shelving Unit or Storage Cabinet: Setting up a shelving unit in your home is a practical way to enjoy your coffee. Surround it with wine glasses and organizers to maintain a subtle ambiance, offering a clean and organized space for your coffee preparation.

DETERMINING THE IDEAL SIZE

A coffee bar should ideally occupy at least two feet of space. This provides ample room for a small mug collection, a coffee maker, and an assortment of coffee supplies. If you choose to place your coffee bar in the dining room, you’ll have the opportunity to dedicate more space to it. There are no strict rules when it comes to crafting the perfect shelf; it can be as fancy or minimalist as you desire.

COFFEE BAR BASICS

To recreate the flavors of your favorite coffeehouse coffee at home, a well-stocked coffee bar should include your preferred coffee beans or pods, a grinder, a reliable coffee maker, sugar, and other add-ins. Here are some essential accessories for your home coffee bar that will help you brew delicious coffee from the comfort of your kitchen or living room: Coffee Machine: Invest in a coffee machine that can meet your daily coffee demands and produce larger batches when

you have guests over. Consider options like the Nespresso coffee machine, which offers simplicity and the ability to use flavored pods to tailor your coffee experience.

Coffee Beans or Pods: Experiment with various coffee beans and pods, ensuring compatibility with your chosen coffee machine. Proper storage in an airtight container is recommended to preserve their texture and flavor.

Coffee Grinder: For the freshest coffee, a quality grinder can enhance the aroma and taste of your coffee. This is especially useful in homes with limited space for an espresso machine.

Coffee Cups: Invest in coffee cups that keep your drink hot and flavorful. Having a few mugs on hand allows you to prepare in advance, saving time. You can also incorporate cups that add a pop of color to your coffee bar to create a vibrant theme.

Spoons: Include sleek and modern spoons for mixing cream or sugar or opt for ornate spoons to add a touch of elegance to your bar.

Sugar: Enhance your coffee’s flavor by offering sugar options, which can also contribute to the overall design of your home bar. Natural sweeteners like honey can be a delightful addition.

Serving Tray: A stylish, round tray can serve as the centerpiece of your coffee bar, bringing all the elements together and adding an elegant touch to your coffee space.

“Coffee is a cup of hope in a world full of chaos and Mondays.”

Do The Monster Mash With These Fall-Focused Cocktails Perfect For Halloween Festivities

spook - tails

ARTICLE BY SAM LAGE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

• 2 ounces cachaça (Brazilian sugar cane rum, silver rum can be substituted)

• 1 ounce Galliano liqueur

• 1/2 ounce lemon juice

• 1/2 ounce brown sugar & cinnamon syrup

• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

• fresh nutmeg

Combine all ingredients except for the nutmeg in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Strain through a mesh fine strainer into a martini glass or other decorative glassware without ice. Shave fresh nutmeg over the top as a garnish and enjoy!

TOASTED MALLOW

• 1 1/2 ounces vodka

• 1 1/2 ounces chocolate liqueur

• 1/2 ounce Frangelico liqueur

• graham crackers

• marshmallows

Combine all ingredients except for the graham crackers and marshmallows in a shaker tin. Add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Crush graham crackers in a plastic bag to make a fine powder. Coat half of a martini glass with your crushed graham crackers and strain your cocktail into the coated martini glass. Layer the top of the drink with marshmallows and toast with a crème brûlée torch. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN BRAIN PURÉE

• Milk

• Mint cocolate chip ice cream

• Halloween Oreos

• Gummy worms

Crush 5-8 Oreos inside a plastic bag. Layer the bottom of a glass with half of the crushed Oreos to make a nice base. Add 2-3 scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream and fill the rest of the glass with cold milk. Add another layer of crushed Oreos to float on top. Finish with 2-3 gummy worms around the top and enjoy!

CANDY CORN BOURBON

• 2 ounces bourbon

• 1/2 ounce brown sugar & cinnamon syrup

• 2 dashes of orange bitters

• 5 candy corns

Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin. Muddle the candy corns inside the shaker tin, add ice and shake vigorously until sufficiently chilled and blended. Strain through a fine mesh strainer in an old fashioned glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with a piece of candy corn on top of the ice cube and enjoy!

DIRT + SQUIRMS (KID-FRIENDLY!)

CHOCOLATE and WINE

The Key to a Successful Wine and Chocolate Pairing Lies in Finding the Right Combination of Flavors and Characteristics.

Pairing wine and chocolate together can be a delightful sensory experience that can elevate the flavors of both. While the concept of pairing wine with food is well-known, pairing it with chocolate may seem unconventional at first. However, when done correctly, it can create a harmonious balance where the flavors of the wine and chocolate complement and enhance one another.

Wine and chocolate have a lot of similarities to each other. Both contain flavanols (antioxidants) and polyphenols (compounds found in plant-based food) that are good for you and have anti-inflammatory properties. These characteristics affect flavor so it’s somewhat challenging to pair wine and chocolate together. The more polyphenols, the more pronounced the bitter taste.

For example, if you sip a delicious dry red wine alongside a hunk of dark chocolate, the wine will start to taste bitter and sour. The taste imbalance is coming from the heightened levels of flavanols (different types of tannin) found in both chocolate and wine that end up clashing against each other on your tongue.

While it might sound counterintuitive, a good rule of thumb is to pair a wine that is “sweeter” than the chocolate itself. “Sweet” doesn’t refer to dessert wines alone. In the wine world, the term “sweet” is often used to denote ripe, fruit-forward flavors in a wine. These characteristics provide a nice balance to the bitter flavors of cocoa.

Both wine and chocolate can have intense, dry flavors. In order to find the right balance, it’s best to choose wines that are a little bit softer and juicier than the chocolate you’re pairing it with.

We’ve done the footwork to find several wines that partner well with chocolate. Here are our guidelines for matching chocolate with wine and a few of our favorite wine and chocolate pairings. We hope you’ll try them and then get inspired to experiment and create your own.

TIP 1: MATCH SUGAR WITH SUGAR

When it comes to pairing chocolate and wine, you don’t want to strike a balance, you want to match sugar to sugar. Sweeter chocolate like white chocolate does better when consumed with sweeter wines and bitter chocolate like dark chocolate enjoys being paired with dryer wines. Think of it as matching sugar with sugar. A good rule of thumb is to always pair wines that are equally or slightly more sweet than the chocolate being eaten with it.

TIP 2: MATCH INTENSITY WITH INTENSITY

If you pair an incredibly delicately flavored dark chocolate with a full-bodied, heavy red, the intensity of the wine will destroy any of the subtlety that might have been present in the chocolate. The opposite is also true: strong-tasting chocolate will blow a delicate wine out of the water. Keep this rule of thumb in mind: light-flavored chocolates enjoy being paired with light-bodied wines and intensely flavored chocolates prefer being paired with full-bodied wines.

TIP 3: PAIR FLAVORS WITH FLAVORS

Wine and chocolate both carry their own intense flavors. If the chocolate contains other ingredients such as nuts, fruit, or caramel, consider how these flavors will play with the wine. This is especially helpful to remember when enjoying truffles with wine. To avoid creating a palate power play between the two, do your best to match fruity or floral chocolates with fruity wines like Moscato or White Zinfandel. Enjoy chocolate-covered nuts alongside a nutty wine like a Madeira or Marsala. Chocolate studded with dried cranberries might pair well with a fruit-forward red with berry undertones.

CREATING THE PERFECT PAIR

DARK CHOCOLATE

Bitter to semi-sweet dark chocolates, that are 50 to 100% cacao, have intense, bitter flavors, and earthy to fruity undertones. Match the intensity without adding more dryness by pairing these chocolates with full-bodied, yet fruit-forward wines.

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Port, Merlot, Shiraz, Barolo

MILK CHOCOLATE

Milk chocolate is typically creamier and sweeter with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla, and cream. It requires a wine that is light to medium in body, with a ripe fruit character.

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sweet Riesling, Ice-Style Wine

WHITE CHOCOLATE

White chocolate has a sweet, buttery flavor with notes of cream and honey. Sweet white and rosè wines help cleanse the palate of the rich flavors from white chocolate, as does sparkling spumante like Moscato d’Asti.

Pairs well with:

Sweet Riesling, Moscato, Semi-Dry Sparkling Whites, Gewurztraminer

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 7TH

Castle Rock Trail Festival and liveBIG Family Adventure Run

PHILIP S MILLER PARK

Come challenge yourself on Castle Rock's vast ridgeline trail system. Trail run options range from the liveBIG Family Adventure Run to the Ultra Marathon 50K. If you’ve run this trail system before, you know these are some beautiful and beguiling trails. To register and get more information, visit crgov.com/calendar.

OCTOBER 8TH

Schweiger Ranch Fall Festival

SCHWEIGER RANCH

Celebrate the fall at the historic Schweiger Ranch. The fall family traditions of pumpkin patches, horse carriage rides, marshmallow roasting and ranch exploration are just minutes from the bustling center of Lone Tree. This historic, working ranch gives the feeling of stepping back in time and seeing the past firsthand through guided tours of the preserved buildings and the land itself.

OCTOBER 15TH

Annual Bike Drive hosted by Village Idiots Cycling Club

CIELO'S AT CASTLE PINES

Donate your old bikes to help support HopeCycle as they repair and recondition bikes to be given to local atrisk kids. Your donation is tax-deductible, too! Call Dan Boose at 303-909-2667 for more information.

OCTOBER 21ST

Spooktacular

PHILIP S. MILLER PARK

It’s Halloween and time for fall fun with the entire family. Join us to celebrate all things not-so-spooky at Spooktacular. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged, but not required. Activities include games, prizes, food, and of course, candy. This free event is held outdoors, so please dress warmly.

OCTOBER 24TH

Women of Influence - Leading Without Fear

ADVENT HEALTH CASTLE ROCK

Please join us for the Castle Rock Chamber Women of Influence event. Our presenter will be Loren Furman, President & CEO of the Colorado Chamber, and she will be discussing Leading Without Fear. To register, visit business.castlerock.org/events .

OCTOBER 28TH

Trick or Treat Street

VILLAGE SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER

Start off the day by putting on your best costume, grab your little ghosts and goblins, and make your way through Castle Pines businesses (including the former Safeway and King Soopers shopping centers) and the businesses in the Village at Castle Pines (corner of Santa Fe and Happy Canyon) for Trick-or-Treat Street! Just look for the pumpkin in front of the business and join in the fun!

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Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/CastleRock

Bake the World

a Better Place

Our picks for around-town bakeries that bake all the best treats!

ITEM 01:  The Wellspring & Co. Bakery creates unique and freshly made baked goods while empowering the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. / ITEM 02: No Cow Cafe strives to produce bakery goods that are healthy and taste good. Their products are 100% gluten-free,100% dairy free and 100% nut free. / ITEM 03: The Cake Company. Are you looking for a beautiful cake for an upcoming celebration? Perfectly perfect! / ITEM 04: Sedalia Bakery. Do you long for the baked goods of your childhood? Look no further, this is your one-stop shop. / ITEM 05: Poulette Bake Shop. The owners are artisan bakers trained by the best chefs in the world. Get there early, they always sell out! / ITEM 06: Bread in a Box. Fresh-baked bread delivered right to your home.