Accident at Aspen Peak Cellars

The Park County Sheriff’s Office says the truck was going southbound down a hill on Highway 285 when the driver failed to negotiate a curve. The truck may have had a braking issue.

Park County Undersheriff Dave Wholers says the truck was hauling water. The driver suffered minor to moderate injuries.

The owner of the winery tweeted that the building was a total loss. The business lost 25,000 bottles of wine and was preparing for another season of grapes.

The owner told Denver7 he is hesitant to rebuild at the same location because he feels that part of Highway 285 is dangerous.

A semi-trailer slammed into the Aspen Peak Cellars winery in Bailey overnight Monday, destroying the building and rendering the operation a “total loss,” according to authorities and the business.

Reid said diesel fuel and oil from the truck had to be contained or mitigated by the State Patrol’s hazardous materials team. The driver, a 34-year-old Florida man, was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood with serious injuries.

Reid said it’s not clear if the driver, whose name was not released, faces any charges.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 12:30 a.m. Bailey's beloved, family owned winery was tragically struck by a semi-truck, demolishing the entire building. The driver of the truck was taken to the hospital. Thankfully, the winery was vacant at the time and no one was injured.

Owners, Marcel and Julie Flukiger, will be in much need of support as they deal with the loss of their business location and the contents within. Everything from boxed inventory wine and gallons of aging wine, to equipment and furnishings have all been destroyed. Aspen Peak Cellars is their only business and source of income, so being un-operational will be extremely difficult. Funds will be used to support the Flukiger family as they deal with this tragedy and go through the clean-up stages.

The winery is a main staple in the community, that has the reputation of bringing people together and creating long lasting relationships. The Flukiger’s are also key members of the Bailey community, supporting numerous organizations and serving on the Platt Canyon Area Chamber of Commerce.

As staff and loving patrons of this wonderful business, we thank you for taking the time to consider donating. We know every little bit will help the Flukigers deal with this incredible loss, and start looking towards the future of Aspen Peak Cellars.

There may also be opportunities to volunteer your time to the clean-up efforts. Marcel and Julie will keep the community updated as soon as they are able.

Thank you again,

Winery staff and friends

Dear Friends of Aspen Peak Cellars,

We are sorry to inform you that the winery in Bailey has been destroyed by a runaway semi truck and the future of our business is uncertain at this point.
Nobody except the driver of the truck got hurt thank god. The building, equipment and inventory are near a total loss.

We will be closed until further notice and all of our events are going to be canceled. We know many of you made reservations for events and have purchased wine futures, which we will not be able to fulfill. Please bear with us while we are doing our best to recover our records in order to issue refunds.

There is limited stock of our wines available at our offsite tasting rooms Grow Your Own in Conifer and Barn & Barrel in Florence, as well at a few local liquor stores.

We will keep you updated as further information is becomes available.

Thanks for all of your support,

Marcel, Julie, Chantel and Staff

BAILEY, COLO. - Four months after a semi slammed into a winery along Highway 285 in Bailey, the winery is making wine again in a temporary location. The actual facility is expected to re-open this year.

Aspen Peak Cellars is about to release a new wine: Crooked Tank Old Vine Zinfandel. The wine was in a fermenter when the truck slammed into the winery, destroying most of the property.