Colorado wine industry ripens
Published September 30, 2008 by CSBJ Staff
Since 1992, Colorado wineries have grown 1,085 percent.
No, that’s not a typo.
During 2008 alone, the state’s wine industry increased production by 11.44 percent and surpassed 1.84 percent market share by volume.
The 110,000 cases of wine reported to the Department of Revenue, from 72 wineries, during the 2008 fiscal year were not necessarily produced during the fiscal year.
Growth during the 2007 fiscal year was 9 percent.
Colorado boasts the nation’s highest vineyard at 6,417 feet above sea level in Paonia, where vintners grow Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. And Viognier and Syrah thrive on the hot valley floor along the Colorado River near Palisade, as do Merlots, Cabernet Francs and Sauvignons.
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board said the state’s wineries are in five wine regions, two of which are federally designated as American Viticultural Areas – the Grand Valley, between Palisade and Grand Junction, and the West Elks, between Paonia and Hotchkiss.
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Booming industry in Colorado - that’s right … but does anybody know the top producer? International competion award wininning wines are on the Front Range at the Winery at the Holy Cross Abbey. Matt Cookson the Master Winemaker has been in the biz for over 25 years and makes some killer wines - check it out and see for yourself by going down to their tasting room in Canon City. I was at their annual harvest festival this past week and went to the winemakers dinner - all I can say is RIGHT ON!