There’s actually a long history of wineries in Colorado. Grape vines found their way into Colorado by way of miners during the Colorado gold rush. Beginning in the 1860s, Colorado’s population grew rapidly as people flooded into the state. The new residents brought their traditions, foods and spirits with them.
One of the first recorded Colorado vineyards was 60 acres of grapes planted by George Crawford in Palisade, Colorado. Known as the Father of Grand Junction, he was largely responsible for developing the area that would become one of the world’s top grape-growing regions. He was often known as “Governor” Crawford, from a failed governorship election in Kansas, and was a successful entrepreneur. The town Crawford, Colorado, would later be named after him.
Colorado’s Western Slope: The Grand Valley
Palisade, Colorado, is located in the Grand Valley on the western slope of the state. At an average of 4,000 feet above sea level, the area is one of the highest locations for vineyards in the world and a sweet spot for growing grapes. The convergence of the Gunnison and Colorado Rivers provides ample irrigation with rich soils. The moderate climate with 300 days of sunshine, and 180 day growing season, creates an ideal region for a variety of fruit. Palisade is well known for its delicious peaches, as well as apples, cherries and other fruits.
With Crawford’s establishment of a vineyard and winery, Colorado’s budding reputation as a prime wine making area was unfortunately short-lived. The nation’s prohibition era wiped out all of the wineries in the state. Colorado vineyards would lay dormant for decades until 1968, when Denver dentist Dr. Gerald Ivancie brought winemaking back to Colorado.
Working in his cellar, Ivancie hired aspiring winemaker Warren Winiarski and they started producing Colorado wine. They were the catalyst in going back to the Grand Valley to re-establish Colorado vineyards.
In the 1970s, working with George and Mary Ivancie, Jim and Ann Seewald established Colorado Mountain Vineyards in Palisade, Colorado. Now known as Colorado Cellars, the operation was the first commercial winery in the State and remains the oldest in operation. The Seeewald’s dedication to the craft was instrumental in establishing viticulture, or winegrowing, in Colorado.
Modern Colorado Winemaking
Today, Palisades has more than two dozen vineyards in the area, stretching from Grand Junction to DeBeque and is recognized internationally as a top wine producing region. Each September the Colorado Mountain Winefest is held in Palisade and was voted the Best Wine Festival in the country by USA Today.
Beginning in the 1980s, vineyards began sprouting up on the Front Range and have continued to expand over the years, including vineyards in the Denver Metropolitan area. John Balistreri owned a cut flower nursery in Adams County. When the flower business slowed, the family business switched to grapes and winemaking. Balistreri Vinyards continues to operate as a successful, locally owned winery today.
The craft wine industry has taken hold in Colorado over the last several years and now boasts more than 200 small, local wineries. While there is a concentration of vineyards and wineries in the Grand Valley area, wineries are located across Colorado and have ample representation in the Denver Metro area. Looking ahead, wineries are gaining traction and we should expect to see the industry continue to grow over the next several years.
