Maddie works in the tasting room as a House Ambassador and Bartender, and has become such a fixture in the Montanya family. She steps up to whatever needs to be done, and it’s been so fun to see her growing into new roles and creating cocktails behind the bar.

Can’t Leave Paradise

I grew up in Gunnison and went to college at Western [Colorado University]. I’ve stayed in Crested Butte because it’s hard to ever leave paradise. Some of the most beautiful parts of Colorado are literally outside your back door in Crested Butte!

Art and the Outdoors

I’m usually at home playing bass or exploring the outdoors, either on skis or hiking up a mountain. I love to bring my camera when I am outside to try to capture what I see and share it. The photo of columbines (below) is my favorite photo I took this summer.

Hooked on Traveling

I love to travel! I first traveled out of the country my freshman year of college and got kinda hooked after that. It’s hard to pick a favorite trip. Probably a tie between skiing in Japan, or the summer after I graduated, my best friend and I hiked in the Italian Dolomites!

A Cat Named Kitty

I have one cat, her name is Kitty. I adopted her when she was 10 weeks old from GVAWL (Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League). She has a clipped ear and moved here from Olathe! I’m not not a dog person—I love dogs but I think people who have never had their own sweet little rescue kitty cuddle you and purr on your lap, or snuggle under the blankets in your armpit like my cat does when she is cold or lonely, then you don’t get a say in the great dog vs. cat debate.

Getting Creative Behind the Bar

My new favorite Montanya cocktail is a special that I created this summer for the Tasting Room. It’s the Strawberries & Cream, pretty sweet but nice for a summer cocktail! It’s as follows:

A handful of well muddled strawberries
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
1.5 cream of coconut
.5 ginger syrup
2.5 oz plantino

Shake, and serve in a Belgium-style glass.