Recently, we paid a visit to Grand Junction, Colorado, to try out the wine and visit the properties as we look to learn more about wine production in our home state of Colorado. Anecdotally, there are many preconceived negative biases about Colorado Wines. But we wanted to go in with an open mind and try some of the leading properties for ourselves.
💡 It's important to note that while some regions worldwide have produced wine for hundreds to thousands of years, winemaking only began in Colorado a few decades ago.
We'll look to post some more about some of the individual places we visited and our recommendations. But, I wanted to go ahead and start with some history of the region known as the Grand Valley AVA.
Colorado may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine, but the Grand Valley region has quietly made a name for itself in the wine world. The journey of the Grand Valley wine region has been one of perseverance and dedication, resulting in some truly great wines worth taking a chance on.
The Grand Valley region, located in western Colorado, has a long history of agriculture. Still, it wasn't until the 1980s that winemakers began to take notice of the area's potential for grape growing. At the time, the region was still relatively unknown in the wine world, and many people were skeptical that grapes could even be grown successfully in Colorado's high altitude and harsh climate.
Despite the challenges, some winemakers decided to take a chance in the Grand Valley region. They experimented with different grape varieties and growing techniques, learning as they went and slowly but surely improving the quality of their wines.
Over time, the Grand Valley region began to gain recognition for its wines. The winemakers' dedication and hard work paid off, and today, the region is several wineries producing a wide variety of wines, from crisp whites to full-bodied reds. One of the critical factors in the Grand Valley's success has been the region's unique terroir. The high altitude and dry climate create ideal growing conditions for grapes, resulting in wines with a distinct character and flavor profile. The region's soil, rich in minerals and nutrients, also contributes to the quality of the wines.
But not just the terroir sets the Grand Valley wines apart. The winemakers in the region are passionate about their craft and take a hands-on approach to every aspect of the winemaking process because this region requires additional creativity and determination to be successful.
What are some unique characteristics of Colorado wines?
Colorado wines have unique characteristics that set them apart from wines produced in other regions. Here are some of the unique characteristics of Colorado wines:
High altitude: Most of Colorado's vineyards are located at high elevations, which creates unique growing conditions for grapes. The high altitude and dry climate produce wines with distinct character and flavor profiles.
Unique terroir: The soil in the Grand Valley region, which is rich in minerals and nutrients, contributes to the quality of the wines. The region's sandy soils with loam and clay, long and hot days with cool nights, and mineral-rich soil create ideal growing conditions for grapes.
Grape varieties: Colorado winemakers grow various grape varieties, including varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, and Chardonnay. They also continually experiment with grape varieties and hybrids better suited to their unique terroirs, climates, and stylistic choices.
Late season harvest: Grapes are harvested later in the Colorado season, allowing them to develop more complex flavors and aromas.
Expansion and improvement: The Colorado wine industry is on the verge of significant expansion and improvement, with more wineries and vineyards opening up in the region. This growth is a testament to Colorado winemakers' hard work and dedication, who have persevered in the face of challenging growing conditions to produce some truly outstanding wines.
What are some other factors that affect grape production in Colorado?
Several factors affect grape production in Colorado; here are some of them:
Winter hardiness: Winter hardiness is the only limiting factor for grape culture in the state since many severe diseases and insect pest problems do not yet play an important role.
Climate: Colorado's climate is characterized by extremes, including high daytime temperatures and cold nights. The significant "uh-oh" factor for grapes is low temperatures before grape vines have had the chance to acclimate to winter weather. Those temperatures can disrupt Colorado's wine industry, as was seen in 2009, 2013, and 2020.
Soil and water: Colorado's soil and water have high pH levels, meaning plants have fewer nutrients. This can affect grape production in the state.
Creativity: Colorado winemakers are adapting to climate change and water and labor shortages by trying new things and experimenting with lesser-known grape varieties. This mindset has become more widespread recently, particularly as more winemakers enter the picture.
Overall...
So, here's our opinion. We were pretty impressed with the wines out in the Grand Valley. Given that this region is so new, seeing how far they've come quickly is astonishing. They have quite a ways to go when comparing the wines to established regions in California, Washington, and Oregon. But, I believe this region will continue to adapt to the more challenging growing season through creative and new ideas. Whether you're a fan of crisp whites or full-bodied reds, there's something for everyone in the Grand Valley region. So why not take a chance on a bottle of Colorado wine? You might just be surprised by how good it is.
Next up, we will post some recommendations from our visit.
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