Perhaps Colorado may not be a place that you normally associate with wine; however, with over 100 wineries it is a serious endeavor. The history of wine making in Colorado dates back more than 100 years. The state's first vineyard, near Palisade, began in 1890. During Prohibition Colorado grape vines were replaced by peach trees. It was at least half a century later before the wine industry slowly began to recover. Anxious to checkout the local wine scene, we decided to partake in a few high altitude vine-filled adventures during our recent Rocky Mountain National Park visit.
Spaswinefood visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park was the perfect opportunity for us to explore the nearby Colorado wine scene. Colorado is home to some of the highest vineyards in the world. When reviewing the literature on Colorado wines, the comparison is often made with Argentina's high altitude vineyards. Colorado's high altitude vineyards are similar to Argentina in terms of altitude. Argentina's high altitude vineyards, however, do not experience the severe winters like Colorado does. Therefore, it is not surprising that Colorado vineyards are planted with well known varieties and hybrids designed to survive the cold winters of Colorado's continental climate.
Colorado has the majority of its wine industry along the state's western border with Utah. The state has two AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). Grand Valley AVA was established in 1991, and West Elks AVA was established in 2001. To carry AVA on the wine label, according guidelines, 85% of the grapes must be grown in the AVA. Grand Valley AVA produces three quarters of the state's wine, with 556, 994 gallons being produced in Colorado in 2016.
High Altitude Vine-filled Adventures
While we had come to Colorado primarily to explore the national park, this wine enthusiast could not resist checking out a few nearby wineries. Given travel in and around the Rocky National Park is time consuming, this presented a challenge to fit in winery visits during the short time we were there. I did manage to visit two wineries closest to Granby where we stayed during our visit. One day we made a quick stop at the Winter Park Winery in Fraser. Later, after a stunning drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park into Estes Park we dropped by Snowy Peaks Winery and Tasting room. We also did a day trip to Evergreen, west of Denver where we visited Creekside Winery.
1. Winter Park Winery, Fraser
Before entering the tasting room I noted a sign announcing hand crafted wine. These hand crafted wines are made using Colorado and non-Colorado grown grapes.
One of the first things that strikes you is that Colorado home to high altitude wine making. Given Winter Park Winery is located, at a mile high, grapes have to be trucked in from elsewhere.
The winery produces both white and red wines. Their advertisement for one of their red wines caught my attention.
While waiting for the tasting room to open I did manage to catch a glimpse of grape bins and barrels awaiting this year's vintage.
After being greeted by a friendly ginger cat and the wine maker we did a wine tasting.
Since we were interested in only tasting Colorado wines we tasted two wines at Winter Park Winery the day we visited. The winery also produces wines from non-Colorado grown grapes. For visitors to the Granby/Winter Park area put Winter Park Winery on your list. You will enjoy visiting their inviting tasting room.
2. Snowy Peaks Winery, Estes Park
Across the mountain to Estes Park we went one sunny July day to checkout Snowy Peaks Winery at 7, 222 ft.
Snowy Peaks offers a wine tasting where you can select five wines for a tasting fee. All the wines we tasted were from Colorado grown grapes, which they clearly note on their bottles, along with the AVA.
Albarino Grand Valley AVA 2017
Élev´ Blanc Grand Valley AVA 2016 (79% Roussane 21% Viognier)
Oso Rosé 2017 ( Merlot, Black Muscat & Riesling)
Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Valley AVA 2015
Sebastian's Reserve Grand Valley AVA 2016
The Sebastian's Reserve was a red wine blend of Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Franc 28%, Malbec 25%, Petit Verdot 22%, Cabernet Sauvignon 14%, and Merlot 11%).
This Bordeaux style blend was quite delightful.
Cabernet Franc Grand Valley AVA 2016
For those wishing to relax during tasting the tasting room area is quite inviting.
They also offer table service for wine tasting.
It was a very pleasant tasting. Before leaving I noted their wine medals on display.
Yes, it was well worth the drive from Granby to visit Snowy Peaks Winery. While in Estes Park we ate lunch, explored a little before returning through the national park. It was a beautiful July drive in both directions. There is so much for visitors to see and do in the Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer.
3. Creekside Cellars, Evergreen
We managed to fit in a longer drive to do a wine tasting before leaving Colorado. Our day trip to Creekside Cellars, Evergreen, just west of Denver, was well worth the drive.
Creekside Winery is located near a creek that flows along the edge of the property. Hence the name Creekside is quite appropriate.
They offer wine tasting at a bar.
Given the wine bar area was busy we opted for a table on the back deck, overlooking the creek
We ordered a cheese platter and a number wine flight options to taste.
We lingered over the wine tasting. Given we ordered three different wine flights we were able to taste a diversity of Creekside Cellar wines. Our visit was quite enjoyable because we were served by a young woman studying to be a sommelier.
We also left with a nice collection of wines to take with us.
After a delightful visit to Creekside Cellars we headed back to Granby. I certainly wished there had been more time to visit more wineries, near Denver. My first impression of Colorado wines is that they are well on their way. Overall the wines were well made and enjoyable. Beyond our tasting room visits, regrettably, I did not discover any Colorado wines listed at the local restaurants where we dined. The holiday resort that we stayed did not mention winery visits amongst the activities to do in the area. They did nevertheless, promote the local beer. If Colorado wines are to make an impact then more promotion locally might help. Colorado's wines could easily become a bit hit with Rocky Mountain tourists.
If Colorado is in your travel plans both Snooth and Wine-seacher provide a brief history and overview of Colorado's wine industry. For more specific details on wineries, events, etc. then checkout Colorado Wine. My Colorado wine country explorations have begun I look forward to future wine adventures. I invite you to join me in my travels in Colorado and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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| Rocky Mountain National Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Colorado Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Rocky Mountains National Park © Spaswinefood |
While we had come to Colorado primarily to explore the national park, this wine enthusiast could not resist checking out a few nearby wineries. Given travel in and around the Rocky National Park is time consuming, this presented a challenge to fit in winery visits during the short time we were there. I did manage to visit two wineries closest to Granby where we stayed during our visit. One day we made a quick stop at the Winter Park Winery in Fraser. Later, after a stunning drive through the Rocky Mountain National Park into Estes Park we dropped by Snowy Peaks Winery and Tasting room. We also did a day trip to Evergreen, west of Denver where we visited Creekside Winery.
1. Winter Park Winery, Fraser
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| Winter Park Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Winter Park Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Mile High Winery, Winter Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Grateful Red Sign, Winter Park Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Winter Park Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Greeter, Winter Park Winery © Spaswinefood |
2. Snowy Peaks Winery, Estes Park
Across the mountain to Estes Park we went one sunny July day to checkout Snowy Peaks Winery at 7, 222 ft.
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| Snowy Peaks Winery & Tasting Room © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks Tasting Room © Spaswinefood |
Albarino Grand Valley AVA 2017
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| Snowy Peaks Winery, Albarino Grand Valley AVA 2017 © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks Winery, Élev´ Blanc Grand Valley AVA 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks Winery, Oso Rosé 2017 © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Valley AVA 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks Winery, Sebastian's Reserve Grand Valley AVA 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks, Sebastian's Reserve © Spaswinefood |
This Bordeaux style blend was quite delightful.
Cabernet Franc Grand Valley AVA 2016
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| Cabernet Franc Grand Valley AVA 2016 © Spaswinefood |
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| Snowy Peaks Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tree, Snowy Peaks Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Display of Wine Medals, Snowy Peaks Winery © Spaswinefood |
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| Summer, Rocky Mountains National Park © Spaswinefood |
3. Creekside Cellars, Evergreen
We managed to fit in a longer drive to do a wine tasting before leaving Colorado. Our day trip to Creekside Cellars, Evergreen, just west of Denver, was well worth the drive.
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| Creekside Cellars Winery & Cafe © Spaswinefood |
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| Through the Pines, Creekside Cellars © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tasting, Creekside Cellars © Spaswinefood |
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| Creekside Table, Creekside Cellars © Spaswinefood |
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| Creekside Cellars Wine Flight © Spaswinefood |
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| Creekside Cellars Roussane, Rosé, Rosso Wine Flight © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine Tasting Room, Creekside Cellars © Spaswinefood |
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| Creekside Cellars Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Rocky Mountains, Colorado © Spaswinefood |
Sharon
Granby, Colorado
July 2018
© Spaswinefood
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| Berthoud Pass, Colorado © Spaswinefood |
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