The show-stopping summertime feature of the Esposito home is the massive 4,000 square foot deck hosting a heated outdoor kitchen and bar, hot tub, large firepit and multiple seating areas. The 14-foot projection screen with high-end surround sound is perfect for experiencing blu-ray concerts that rival a live show. The technological wonders of the audio visual systems find competition only in the yawning views down valley, overlooking the entire town of Crested Butte and taking in the full brunt of Whetstone, Gibson Ridge and Axtel.
Entertaining is a tremendous focus throughout the almost 7,000 square foot home with a downstairs bar and game room (with pinball and shuffleboard); soundproof media and theatre room (complete with massage chairs); and an open design kitchen, dining and great room with floor to ceiling windows devised to bring in light and views from every direction. Car aficionados will covet the seven-bay, 2,800 square foot heated garage while the private spaces offer plenty of pampering opportunities with a sauna, steam showers, indoor hot tub and Jacuzzi. Perched on three acres between Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte privacy abounds while remaining convenient to anything the valley has to offer.
A “chef of the people,” Chef John Gorham celebrates a range of global cuisines at his influential restaurants. Chef Gorham’s accolade-ridden career in Portland as owner and chef of a host of restaurants includes: Viande Meats & Sausages (“Artisan of the Year,” Willamette Week); the underground Simpatica Supper Club (“number one meal in the world,” USA Today); Spanish-inspired Toro Bravo (“Chef of the Year,” Portland Monthly; “Restaurant of the Year,” Willamette Week); and the globally inspired family style Tasty n Sons (“Restaurant of the Year,” Willamette Week).
Chef Gorham has additionally opened the steakhouse Tasty n Alder, Israeli-inspired Mediterranean Exploration Company, Shalom Y’all, and Bless Your Heart Burgers. PLAZA DEL TORO, a gastronomic society, serves as his culinary laboratory and the home of Spanish oriented La Ruta del Toro. Chef Gorham is also the founder of La Ruta PDX: a gastronomic festival in Portland focusing on Spanish culinary culture and wine. He is the author of two cookbooks: The Toro Bravo Cookbook: Stories. Recipes. No Bull. and Hello! My Name Is Tasty: Global Diner Favorites from Portland's Tasty Restaurants. Chef John is joined by his Chef de Cuisine at Toro Bravo, Pat Manning. Pat grew up on the Western Slope and is a Western alumnus.
Judy Byron's passion for wine began in 1980 when she enrolled in a Geology course at the University of Iowa called the World of Wines. Now as a Level 1 certified Sommelier, Judy has been selling the select wines of Grand Vin since 2006. Wine has taken her around the globe to experience the best of the regions of Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Italy, Portugal, and Spain as well as Oregon and California. She excels at making wine tasting and learning fun and accessible, perfectly matching someone’s food, mood and even the weather. Judy loves broadening individuals’ palates to experience the unique and wonderful wines that exist throughout the world, comfortably breaking down the pieces while stretching comfort zones. Wine, she finds, is a connective thread between people – sharing experiences over a great glass of wine. Judy will be pouring from a variety of wines, including from the exceptional Klinker Brick Winery of the Lodi region of California that cultivates the rich, intense and multi-dimensional “Old Vine” Zinfandel from vines at least 50 years old.
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Friday, June 22
Destination: Gothic Road Corridor
Arrival Time: 6:00 p.m.
Toll: $225
Tour Guides: Kathleen & Peter Esposito
Chefs:
John Gorham, Executive Chef & Co-Owner: Toro Bravo, Tasty n Sons, Tasty n Alder, PLAZA DEL TORO, Mediterranean Exploration Company, BYH Burgers, Shalom Y'all; Founder, La Ruta PDX gastronomic festival (Portland, OR)
Chef de Cuisine Pat Manning, Toro Bravo (Portland, OR)
Sommelier: Judy Byron, Grand Vin (Crested Butte, CO)