It is a beautiful area, but I bet it’s not what folks think of when they think of Colorado. The wine regions are on the doorstep to the American Southwest, high desert vistas filled with canyons and mesas near the Utah border. The vineyards for the most part are in the irrigated valley off the Colorado River canal system.
Lots of good Bordeaux varietals especially Cab Franc which thrives here. Great dry Rieslings and some surprises like sparklers and some Italian varietals.
The West Elks, the only other wine region in Colorado is about an hour southeast and has some of the highest vineyards in North America.
Here is a recent picture of me on a hike high above the vineyards in the Grand Valley.
Watched 60 minutes this past Sunday and they did a piece on water allocation from the Colorado River. Wineries depending on irrigation from the CR don’t seem like a sustainable business model.
Michael, I want to drink something that comes from there! Are your suggestions the same as F&W or do you have any to add? I like the sound of Grand Valley Cab Franc and Riesling.
A little late to the thread here… don’t log on to berserkers too often. Here are some photos taken by John Fielder - one of Colorado’s best known photography.