European-style wines for dining
Ajax Cellars came to fruition organically through sommelier Greg Van Wagner’s discussions with top winemakers in their region. Greg Van Wagner, an Aspen local since 2012, has been part of some of Aspen’s most storied dining institutions. After getting his start at Frasca and Oak and Fourteenth in Boulder, he made the jump to Aspen as the opening Maitre’d of Element 47 at The Little Nell.
The next stop was Jimmy’s, an Aspen institution of 25 years, where he had carte blanche on the wine program, receiving a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for the final 5 years before the restaurant closure. During his time there, in 2018, he was awarded the Krug Cup for passing the Master Sommeliers exam on the first time and with the highest score. Following Jimmy’s, he opened PARC Aspen as the Wine and Beverage Director, receiving the Aspen Times Best Sommelier in Aspen and Best Wine List for the restaurant.
After talking with Joe Buckel from Colorado and Evan Martin of the Willamette Valley during their visits to Aspen, Greg branched out to the production side of the wine world. Both are pioneers in their region. In Colorado, we have a burgeoning wine production scene with 130 producers who are now making stellar wine right here in our backyard. In the Willamette, we have some of the best terroir for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the United States.
For Colorado, the label pays homage to one of our many great treasures, the Maroon Bells, and the Willamette wines showcase Lift 1A, where the idea for the wine came about on a perfect late January ski day riding up the classic chair.
