Check Out David Burks’ Story

Today, we’d like to introduce you to David Burks.

Hi David, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our story started with an undiluted passion, California grapes, a humble garage, and a few barrels of Cab Sauv perfection. What began as a simple winemaking hobby back in 2010 has since grown into an 8-acre winery and event center located at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Today, my wife, Kathy, and I run Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center with a heartfelt mission: to craft unforgettable wines and moments that bring people together.

In order to bring a taste of world-class wine country to Northern Colorado, we source top-quality grapes from leading regions in California. We then thoughtfully make and age each wine in Loveland. With a charming tasting room, gorgeous timber-frame barrel room, and expansive outdoor space bordering the Big Thompson River, Sweet Heart Winery has the ideal spaces to host everything from small reservations to 200-person weddings.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like with any business, there have been ups and downs. COVID definitely posed unique challenges for our business and we had to close down entirely for a time just like most restaurants. But thankfully, we were able to adjust and adapt – coming back even stronger once the pandemic ended.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The two central components of the Sweet Heart Winery brand are exceptional wine and meaningful events. Our wines are crafted locally in Loveland, CO using expertly harvested grapes from small lot vineyards – primarily in California. The reason we choose to source our grapes from this region is due to quality and consistency. California vineyards continue to be world leaders in the cultivation of our favorite grape varieties. And the fruit from different Californian appellations yields complex flavor profiles that are hard to beat.

We use a combination of old-world and new-world winemaking techniques to create consistently delicious wines. Each of our red wines, for example, is aged 24-36 months in oak barrels to impart beautiful notes of vanilla, spices, tobacco, leather, and more – all of which combine with the primary fruit flavors of each wine.

When it comes to events – most notably weddings – Sweet Heart Winery & Event Center is the only venue in Northern Colorado to combine the iconic beauty of Colorado outdoors with the elevated elegance, romance, and tastes of California wine country. Nestled sprawling acreage along the Big Thompson River, our venue offers breathtaking mountain views, dappled lighting from canopies of mature trees, and a stunning timber-frame barrel room with soaring ceilings and a wall of wine barrels. It’s a premier destination venue – conveniently situated between Denver, Fort Collins, and Estes Park.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Adaptability is a must in any business. While change can be scary, you can’t hesitate to adjust and adapt your business model based on the needs of your customers and the external circumstances impacting your business.

Pricing:

• Full Venue Buy-out Weddings: $6,000-$8,500
• Mini Weddings: $3,500-$5,500
• Wines by the glass: $10-$14
• Wines by the bottle: $26-$39

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sweetheartwinery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetheartwinery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetHeartWinery/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@SweetHeartWinery

Image Credits
Britni Girard Photography, Kristen Rush Photography, Mrs. Ferree Photography, Hannah Quintana Photography, PHOCO Photography, and Reiley Costa Photography