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WINE HARVEST IN COLORADO Words by Lexi Reich | Photos courtesy Nathan Billow
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olorado wine is tasting better than ever, and
wineries, says the Colorado wine industry boats
it’s not because the mountains are getting
$300 million and counting. Every year during
more hospitable to grapes. In fact, growing
the third week of September, CAVE produces the
seasons have been cut shorter due to the state’s
Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade. In 2017,
vastly unpredictable weather (cue heat spikes,
USA Today named it the “Best Wine Festival” in
hail, frost, heavy rainfall or drought). Especially
the country.
as a newer player in the nation’s wine industry,
many Colorado wineries can’t afford the advanced
advantage — Colorado radiates sunshine over
technology you often see in Napa Valley. But this
300 days a year, prime for Bordeaux- and Rhone-
has not proven to be a limiting factor in Colorado
style grapes, and the soil is watered by nutritious
— it’s this difficulty that has inspired innovation
mountain runoff. Scott High of Colterris Winery,
and creativity amongst the existing 160 wineries
located in the Grand Valley AVA, says the
in the state, making their wine intentional,
intense sunlight contributes to the concentrated
meaningful and uniquely delicious.
sugars and rich, complex flavors that allow
Some argue Colorado is actually at an
“Colorado is finding its voice and people are
optimal fruit harvests and wine production.
listening to it,” says Jayme Henderson, co-owner
Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Colorado’s
of The Storm Cellar, located in the West Elks AVA
Grand Valley AVA one of the Top 10 Wine
(American Viticultural Area).
Getaways of 2018.
The Colorado Association for Viticulture
Cold alpine air infiltrates through Colorado
& Enology (CAVE), the only nonprofit in the
canyons while snowmelt drains down the
state that exists to support the education and
Colorado River; that same air heats up
advancement of Colorado grape growers and
throughout the summer days with the high UV
