“I think my favorite aspect of Colorado wine is that it is unpretentious.”
Colorado may not be the first state you think of when you suppose aboutwine region in the United States . It might not have the name recognition ofNapa , or evenTemecula , but the Centennial State was in fact once a respected winemaking area before Prohibition ( when the vineyard were ripped out and replaced with orchards ) , and today it produces first-class , laurels - winning wines that are worth a penchant .
More than 1,000 Accho of grapes are produce throughout the state of Colorado , where vineyards range in summit from 4,000 to 7,000 feet — making these some of the gamey produce wine producers in the world . It also stand for winemakers and winery owners must hear how to work with and accept the unique challenge of Colorado ’s growing condition .
“ The first thing that I get the great unwashed know when they ’re trying Colorado wine-coloured is leave everything you think you make out about what wine should be , ” pronounce CEO ofCarboy WineryKevin Webber . “ What you get with our wines is a sensory faculty of place , of what cause Colorado wines unique . We grow so many unlike things here , and because we ’re not in a traditional wine establishment , we can be groundbreaking with the varieties and the styles that we make , so that we do n’t have to be shackle by conventionality . ”
Alfred Eames Cellars|Photo by John Fielder
The Colorado wine manufacture is expanding , and with that comes challenges ( like unpredictable weather ) and growing pains , but a common sense of nakedness to vary , the desire for an adventure , and a feeling of community is what bonds the wineries together .
“ I think my favourite panorama of Colorado wine-coloured is that it is unpretentious , ” saysRestoration Vineyard ’s Stephanie Brauns . “ The accessible nature of being in a farming residential area , being around a bunch of down - to - earth Coloradans and tasting people ’s passions piddle for an unforgettable experience . ”
Today , there are more than 170 successful wine maker in the Centennial State . Here ’s why vino lovers should n’t sleep on Colorado ’s growing wine scene , and where to love some quality wine dangerous undertaking across the state .
Carboy Winery
Carboy Winery
LittletonCarboy , the largest winemaking operation in the state of Colorado , is based in Littleton , about 20 minutes south of business district Denver . The production grow its Colorado wine grapes in Grand Valley , which is about three and a one-half hour West of Denver . Carboy is one of the original goal to focus on growing the Colorado wine-coloured industriousness . Today the business hosts four locations : one in business district Denver ’s historic Capitol Hill dominion , the Littleton emplacement where the production facility is turn up , a Breckenridge taste way , and the Grand Valley Estate vinery and tasting room localisation . Carboy ’s Littleton location feels like a posh respite from the urban center , even though it ’s just 20 minutes outside of business district . The indoor tasting room is rustic but smart — and outdoors , there ’s a beautiful view of the mountains .
Colterris Winery
PalisadeVisitors can revel vino al fresco in Colterris ’ airy outside court space with view of the vineyard and tidy sum , or indulge in an intimate indoor barrel cave sample experience . The winery has tastings , go , reserved tables , and is locate on the Colorado river .
“ wine-colored is a very traditional affair , right ? It ’s been around forever , ” say Keenan High , Operations Director ofColterris Winery . “ So , there are sure [ prescript ] that every wine maker postdate which are fairly introductory to a level when it comes to make vino . But there are a couple things that make it interesting . There ’s a reason why there are K of wineries out there . you’re able to change up niggling variables everywhere from temperatures , elevation , oestrus , soil content — even going into hybrids and different varietals that have n’t really been get word of — they produce different wines . ”
Restoration Vineyards
PalisadeAs Restoration is still a little family business , Stephanie Brauns , Wine Club Director atRestoration Vineyards , says their squad cause fulfillment from connect with and giving back to the local residential district . Visitors can sip their wine among an heart-to-heart outdoor space at this quaint feeling but sizeable 10 - Accho farm property which is surrounded by peach and cherry tree orchards backed by veneration - inspiring views of the Grand Mesa and Bookcliff peck .
Snowy Peaks Winery
Estes ParkSnowy Peaks Wineryis a small , house - owned and -operated winery in downtown Estes Park . visitant can explore over 30 different Colorado boutique wines , many of which are made right-hand in Estes Park , using 100 % Colorado - farm grapes from Colorado ’s Grand Valley and West Elks AVA . Stop in for a flight or glass of wine in this relaxed mountain setting — or embark on a tour of the wine - work facility , which sits flop below the tasting room . Snowy Peak ’s vino are handcrafted in small mountain “ with dearest and precaution . ” It can be a great place to finish and wind up down after a trek exploring nearby Rocky Mountain National Park .
Sauvage Spectrum
PalisadePatric Matysiewski , winemaker and co - founder ofSauvage Spectrum , says the most challenging part of growing the stigma is the lack of awareness of Colorado ’s wine quality . “ We make really awe-inspiring wine-colored , ” says Matysiewski . “ It ’s just cause masses to savour it … we’re not in this for the money . We ’re really satisfied when [ someone ] is enjoying our product and in add up on our prop , chatter and seeing what agritourism is like . That ’s , for me , the most fulfilling part of this job . ” Visitors to this scenic Palisade winery can savour among the presence of vines and wine in the indoor / outdoor taste space showcasing panorama of the gorgeous Colorado nature sights .
Ten Bears Winery
Fort CollinsTen BearsWinery ’s winemaker William Conkling began his “ ferment career ” at a brewery in Fort Collins , but always had a passion for winemaking . So , when the opportunity presented itself to leap out to “ hibernating ” ( ferment ) wine instead of beer , he did . After deal enquiry on which grape vine would , in possibility , be most successful growing on Colorado ’s Front Range with its alone climate , in 2009 , it was time to embed the inaugural 480 vines . In the Spring of 2012 , winemaking tragedy struck — and an by artificial means ardent April follow by a freezing in May caused Ten Bears to drop off its first “ bud break , ” ruin any hopes of a harvest . But the robustness of the grape that do survive Colorado ’s coarse variations in climate are reflected in the inviolable spirit of their winemakers — and today , Ten Bears is successful in making a variety of solid wines using Colorado - grown grapes with an especially celebrated selection of Red .
Alfred Eames Cellars
PaoniaAlfred Eames Cellarsis a family affair — owned and operated by a father and Word team . It ’s turn up at Puesta del Sol Vineyards , three miles south of Paonia , Colorado , in the North Fork Valley of Colorado ’s West Elks Viticultural Area . This situation is known for its Colorado Pinot Noir — which is made proper on - situation — get in the high height of the Colorado Rocky Mountains . visitant should n’t drop the property ’s wine-coloured cave .
Buckel Family Wine
GunnisonBuckel Family Wineis a small , family - have winery tuck away in Gunnison Valley at an altitude of 7,000 feet in Colorado ’s Rocky Mountains . The passionate on - site wine making squad wants to create handcrafted wine-coloured with “ minimal intervention ” to capture the unfeigned Colorado ’s peculiar terroir and common sense of fearless hardiness , accurately reflecting the land upon which it produce . The squad ’s specialized winemaking proficiency create a lower alcohol subject vino that the Buckel team feels reflect the feel of the local land — including all of its quirks and unpredictability based on the rapidly evolve seasons . Buckel source its grapes specifically from small farm that are known to put good environmental practices first and foremost and choose grapes that are already at their optimal ripeness ( which normally makes additives unnecessary , and the wine are stop with zero sugars and born flavors ) .
OBC Wine Project
Fort CollinsTheOBC Wine Projectin Fort Collins of late won double gold at the Colorado Governor ’s Cup one-year competition . It ’s an extension of the well - known brewery Odell Brewing Company ( one of the res publica ’s most famous beer manufacturer ) , which was already well - versed in fermentation experiment on the beer side but delved into winemaking in 2020 . It ’s located in Fort Collins , side by side to Odell Brewing Co. , and boast a languorous indoor / outdoor tasting distance that is open year - round .
BookCliff
PalisadeThe 100 % Colorado - grown wines ofBookCliffare made from 37 landed estate of grapes planted and overseen with sustainable practices ( recollect : avoid pesticide and using as few herbicide as potential ) . The vinery features 14 different salmagundi , which , depending on the season , can vary in condition and chance to create something new using adjustments in proficiency for fermentation or aging . Bookcliff trust Colorado grape “ give tongue to the character where they are grown ” and lean into the somewhat intimidate geographics . The target is to “ make a wine-coloured that is straight to its varietal character , and approachable now , but also cellar well for later enjoyment . ”
Infinite Monkey Theorem
DenverLong before “ displace wine ” became a hot trend , this woman - owned operationacted as a groundbreaker in the winemaking space , purposefully breaking custom to serve a more portable and sustainable ( but just as gratifying ) wine-colored . In fact , the winery was named after a numerical theorem train at creating a sense of Holy Order out of a disorderly scheme . Still today , one of IMT ’s pillars is to slant into the chance that come with counterculture , control “ with no vinery and no pretense ” but serving bottled , kegged , and canned wines from local yield that direct to reflect the personality of the winemaker and those drinking the wine-colored . IMT is located in Denver ’s artsy , substitute RiNo District in an urban space that embraces the local , adventurous spirit .
Sutcliffe Vineyards
CortezSutcliffe’sentire legacy of success was behave from a tiny vineyard embed on a whim 30 years ago . The flagship tasting way is located in the magical impression McElmo Canyon , which is 12 miles west of Cortez between scenic Sleeping Ute Mountain and Battlerock . Every part of the winemaking process take place on - internet site in this isolated localization — and those who visit ca n’t help but agree the peaceful sense of privacy give this spot a sort of hidden gem timbre for tasting the consistently award - winning wines .
Aquila Cellars
CarbondaleThe forward-looking Aquila Cellar team make biodynamic , unfiltered “ born ” wines that are only source from Colorado grapes grown at the highest pinnacle of North America ( which Aquila tell have the “ highest vibrations ” ) . The name “ Aquila ” refers to the genus of golden eagles that rest throughout the Western Slope and is meant to be a reflection of the respect the squad has for the land ’s native inhabitants . The team ’s forward attitude toward responsible state management and simple , minimal cellar practices emphasizes unfiltered wines that sport a sense of “ freshness over cornucopia . ”
Courtesy of Colterris Winery
Photo by Geoff Crumbaugh
Courtesy of Sauvage Spectrum
Courtesy of OBC Wine Project
Courtesy of Infinite Monkey Theorem
Courtesy of Aquila Cellars
