Ouray’s first wine-tasting room will close at the end of this month, bringing an experiment to a close on Main Street.

In July 2022, Sauvage Spectrum opened its tasting room at 480 Main St. on the corner next to the Wright Opera House. Co-owners Patric Matysiewski and Kaibab Sauvage wanted to bring their sparkling wines to Ouray in the hopes that visitors would drink up.

But difficulties with hiring and retaining employees, harsh winters and lackluster sales left them with the decision to close at the end of their two-year lease. He’s hopeful someday those situations might change, as he loves Ouray.

“It’s not saying goodbye, forever,” Matysiewski said on Monday.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to close at this point, but we’re looking to focus on our business here in Palisade. We just weren’t seeing the exact sales that we projected,” he said.

Matysiewski cited the location of the tasting room on the south side of Ouray as a challenge.

“People there don’t always want to walk uphill,” he said.

He also said when faced with another possibly slow, cold winter, they decided now was the time to close.

“When we thought about stomaching another winter up there, we realized it was time to pull the plug,” he said.

Matysiewski said they will continue to service wholesale accounts in Ouray County and he wants to continue the Winter Wine Festival at the Wright Opera House, which will have its third event this winter.

He also welcomes anyone from Ouray to come to the Grand Valley to continue to experience Sauvage Spectrum’s wines. Sauvage Spectrum continues to be open for tasting and tours at its location in Palisade, at 676 38 ¼ Rd. For more information, visit sauvagespectrum.com.