Hundreds Celebrate Sweet Heart Wine & Cider’s Grand Preview as Exclusive November First Access Experiences Begin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Following an enthusiastic community welcome in RainDance, Sweet Heart announces reservation-based Wine Club experiences throughout November, with a public opening planned for December.

WINDSOR, CO — November 1, 2026 — Sweet Heart Wine & Cider celebrated an overwhelmingly successful Grand Preview on Saturday, October 31, welcoming hundreds of guests to its newest location in the RainDance community of Windsor, Colorado. The enthusiastic turnout marked an exciting milestone for the growing Northern Colorado hospitality company, which is now preparing for the next phase of its opening.

Beginning in November, Sweet Heart will introduce exclusive, reservation-based First Access experiences for its Wine Club members, providing an opportunity to enjoy the new destination before its anticipated public opening in December.

The Halloween Grand Preview offered neighbors, longtime supporters, and wine and cider enthusiasts a first look at the company's newest hospitality destination. Guests explored the property, met the Sweet Heart team, enjoyed award-winning wines and craft ciders, and experienced complimentary live performances from two musical acts, Stonington Gray and Dan Kenny.

The event demonstrated the extraordinary enthusiasm surrounding Sweet Heart's arrival in Windsor and set the stage for a carefully planned opening strategy centered on hospitality, guest experience, and community connection.

What's Next: Exclusive Wine Club First Access Throughout November

Following the successful Grand Preview, Sweet Heart Wine & Cider will begin its soft-opening program in November, featuring exclusive First Access experiences for Sweet Heart Wine Club members.

These reservation-based sessions will give members the opportunity to be among the first guests to experience the new location before its anticipated public opening in December.

Rather than immediately launching at full capacity, Sweet Heart is taking a deliberate, hospitality-first approach to opening its newest location.

Throughout November, the team will use these experiences to refine service procedures, evaluate food and beverage operations, train and develop team members, gather guest feedback, and make adjustments to ensure the experience meets Sweet Heart's standards.

"Our approach is intentional," said Charles Oster, CEO and Managing Partner of Sweet Heart Brands. "Opening a new hospitality destination is about much more than unlocking the doors. It's about delivering on a promise to every guest who walks through them. Our Wine Club members are helping us bring this location to life, and their participation and feedback will be invaluable. We're going to learn, listen, make adjustments, and prepare our team so that when we welcome the general public in December, we're ready to deliver the legendary Sweet Heart hospitality our guests have come to expect."

First Access sessions will be offered by reservation, with scheduling details and availability published through Sweet Heart's website and Wine Club communications.

Guests interested in participating in November's exclusive experiences are encouraged to explore membership in the Sweet Heart Wine Club, which is free to join with a quarterly wine allocation commitment.

More Than a Wine Club. A Community.

Sweet Heart's growing Wine Club will play a central role in the launch of the Windsor location, reflecting the company's commitment to building lasting relationships with its guests.

Membership is free to join, with members committing to quarterly allocations of at least three bottles of wine.

Membership includes a variety of benefits designed to reward loyalty, encourage discovery, and bring people together.

Wine Club benefits include:

• 50% off glass pours of wine and cider at Sweet Heart's Windsor and Fort Collins locations.
• 25% off glass pours at the flagship Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland.
• 15% off bottles of wine.
• Access to exclusive member events and special experiences.
• Special discounts and incentives on events and wine.
• Quarterly wine allocations featuring selections from Sweet Heart's portfolio.

But according to Shealan Burke, General Manager of Wine Club & Tastings, the greatest benefit of membership extends far beyond savings.

"People initially join a wine club because they love great wine and appreciate the benefits," said Burke. "But what makes Sweet Heart special is what happens after they join. Our members become part of a genuine community. They meet other members, discover new wines and ciders, attend events, share experiences, and build friendships. It's a community of people who love wine, cider, and, most importantly, connection. That's what makes our Wine Club so much more than a discount program."

The exclusive November First Access program provides an additional opportunity for members to participate directly in Sweet Heart's next chapter.

Those interested in joining the Wine Club or learning more about upcoming First Access experiences are encouraged to contact wineclub@sweetheartwinery.com.

A Community That Already Feels Like Family

For Sweet Heart's ownership team, the RainDance expansion represents more than a new business location. It represents a meaningful investment in a growing community where personal relationships, family, and hospitality intersect.

"We couldn't be more excited to become part of the RainDance and Windsor communities," said Rob Larson, Partner and Vice President of Food & Beverage Operations for Sweet Heart Brands. "The turnout and enthusiasm were incredible, but what really stood out was the opportunity to meet so many of our new neighbors. Tammie and I welcomed our grandson into this neighborhood just last month, so this opening is especially meaningful to our family. There's something pretty special about building a business in a community where your family is putting down roots."

That family connection extends throughout Sweet Heart's ownership team. Co-owners Charles and Farah Oster also celebrated the arrival of their first grandchild, Brooks, last month. Brooks is the son of their daughter, Megan Nickelson, Sweet Heart Brands' Marketing Coordinator, who lives with her family in RainDance.

For the Oster family, opening Sweet Heart Wine & Cider in Windsor is especially meaningful. Three generations of the family now share a personal connection to the neighborhood, reinforcing the company's belief that great hospitality begins with community, family, and meaningful relationships.

"At Sweet Heart, our mission has always been simple: create experiences for people to connect," said Oster. "Saturday was a beautiful example of that mission coming to life. And with our daughter Megan raising our new grandson Brooks right here in RainDance, this community is especially close to our hearts. We're not just investing in another location. We're investing in a community where our own family is growing and where we hope generations of families will gather, celebrate, and create memories together."

An Enthusiastic Welcome from the Community

The excitement extended well beyond the event itself, with guests taking to social media to share their experiences, congratulate the Sweet Heart team, and express their anticipation for the upcoming opening.

Comments included "Preview was awesome," "Such a fun event!" and "So awesome! Excited to see the new digs! You guys are going to rock it!"

One guest expressed appreciation for the personal interaction with the ownership team and staff, while another shared, "We had such a fun afternoon! Can't wait for you to be open!"

The Halloween celebration also brought a festive atmosphere, with guests and team members embracing the occasion in costume. The combination of live music, great wine and cider, and genuine hospitality created an afternoon that reflected Sweet Heart's mission of bringing people together.

For Megan Nickelson, Sweet Heart Brands' Marketing Coordinator and a RainDance resident, the community response was both a professional milestone and a deeply personal experience.

"It's incredibly special to see the community where we're raising our son embrace something our family has worked so hard to build," said Nickelson. "I've had the privilege of sharing our story through social media and watching the excitement grow, but seeing hundreds of neighbors come together on Saturday was something else entirely. As a new mom living in RainDance, I'm especially excited that Brooks will grow up in a community where bringing people together is such an important part of what we do."

Building Something Special in Northern Colorado

The RainDance location represents another significant chapter in Sweet Heart Brands' continued growth and its investment in Northern Colorado's hospitality and tourism economy.

Located at 2191 Covered Bridge Parkway in Windsor, the new Sweet Heart Wine & Cider destination is being developed as a welcoming gathering place for the surrounding community, featuring premium wines, award-winning craft ciders, food, and opportunities for social connection.

The location joins Sweet Heart's flagship winery in Loveland and its tasting room in Old Town Fort Collins, expanding the company's ability to serve guests throughout Northern Colorado.

The Windsor destination will also serve as an important showcase for Sweet Heart's growing cider portfolio and its commitment to developing distinctive hospitality experiences.

"Saturday reinforced something we've believed from the beginning," Oster added. "People are looking for more than just somewhere to go. They're looking for places where they belong. The response from our new neighbors was extraordinary, and we're incredibly grateful. Now our responsibility is to turn that enthusiasm into something lasting. We're excited about what's ahead, and we're just getting started."

Opening Schedule and Information

November 2026 — Exclusive Wine Club First Access

Throughout November, Sweet Heart Wine & Cider will offer reservation-based soft-opening experiences exclusively for Wine Club members. These sessions will provide early access to the new location while allowing the Sweet Heart team to refine operations and prepare for its public opening.

Reservations are required. Scheduling details and availability will be announced through Sweet Heart's website and Wine Club communications.

December 2026 — Anticipated Public Opening

Sweet Heart Wine & Cider plans to welcome the general public in December following the completion of its November soft-opening program. The official opening date, operating hours, and additional details will be announced as the opening approaches.

Location: Sweet Heart Wine & Cider at RainDance
2191 Covered Bridge Parkway
Windsor, Colorado

Wine Club Membership & First Access Inquiries:
wineclub@sweetheartwinery.com

Website: www.sweetheartwinery.com

About Sweet Heart Brands

Sweet Heart Brands is a Northern Colorado-based wine, cider, and hospitality company dedicated to its mission of "Create experiences for people to connect."

Its portfolio includes Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland, Tesoro in Fort Collins, and Sweet Heart Wine & Cider at RainDance in Windsor, along with a growing collection of premium wines and craft cider brands.

Recognized among the nation's leading winery destinations, Sweet Heart combines premium winemaking, award-winning products, and a distinctive approach to hospitality.

Guided by its philosophy, "Selected in California. Perfected in Colorado," Sweet Heart continues to invest in its people, its communities, and meaningful guest experiences throughout Northern Colorado.

Media Contact Megan Nickelson megan@sweetheartwinery.com www.sweetheartwinery.com