Many European settlers who came to Colorado for mining brought viticulture with them. By the end of the nineteenth century, Colorado produced nearly one million pounds of grapes annually, primarily from the rich valleys of the Western Slope. These vineyards were uprooted when Prohibition was enacted, four years earlier in Colorado than in the rest of the nation.

Wine production resumed in 1977 when the Colorado General Assembly made way for small farm wineries with the Colorado Limited Winery Act. When the Colorado Wine Industry Development Act passed in 1990, five licensed wineries operated in Colorado; today they number more than one hundred, and most are still small, family-owned wineries using Colorado-grown grapes.

Colorado has two federally designated American Viticultural Areas (AVA). The West Elks AVA includes Paonia and Hotchkiss. The Grand Valley AVA, which includes Grand Junction and Palisade, was named one of the top ten wine travel destinations in the world by Wine Enthusiast Magazine last year.

To celebrate Colorado’s historic relationship with wine, consider visiting these areas as well as wineries in other parts of the state. Most wineries are seasonal, so be sure to check availability in advance of your trip. Please designate a driver and/or use provided shuttles to ensure your travels are safe and enjoyable.

Grand Junction and Palisade: Grand Valley is the birthplace of Colorado wine, so if you plan to visit multiple destinations, this serves as a perfect place to start. Governor George A. Crawford, who founded Grand Junction in 1881, first saw the valley’s potential for growing grapes; he planted sixty acres on Rapid Creek near Palisade. In the 1970s a decline in peaches and a surge in federal aid led to the rise of wine production in the area. You can bike or drive the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway to experience the rich orchards, lavender gardens, farm-fresh fruit stands, and of course wineries. Some of the best and oldest wineries include Colterris at the Overlook, Grande River Vineyards, Colorado Cellars Winery, Plum Creek Cellars, Carlson Vineyards, and Maison la Belle Vie Winery, whose owner brings to Colorado his family’s 150-year history of making wine in France’s Loire Valley. While you’re in the area, also visit Dinosaur National Monument and historic downtown Palisade, which hosts the Colorado Mountain Winefest every September.

Paonia: Paonia is named after the lush peony flower and, like Palisade, the area is known for its abundant fruit orchards. This once-sleepy historic town has grown because of the wine industry. Some claim it is one of the few regions that has successfully cultivated and bottled a Pinot Noir. Wineries to visit include Black Bridge Winery, Azura Cellars, and Stone Cottage Cellars. A trip to Paonia is also a good excuse to visit another of Colorado’s lesser-known gems, the stunning Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Despite the Utes’ many journeys through the area as well as several previous expeditions of Europeans, not until the middle of the nineteenth century—when the American West basked in the nation’s attention—did railroaders and recreationists penetrate the canyon.

Denver Metro Area: About one-third of the wineries in Colorado producing premium wines from local grapes lie within a two-hour drive of Denver and Denver International Airport. In 1968 Ivancie Winery opened in Denver, using grapes from around the Grand Valley. The winemaker, Warren Winiarski, went on to become the first winemaker at Robert Mondavi Winery and won the Judgment of Paris competition in 1976. Urban wineries have taken off in recent years, perhaps piggybacking on the boom of craft beer. Check out Denver’s Balistreri Vineyards, which started as a flower farm in 1964, and Boulder’s Redstone Meadery, the largest craft meadery in the nation. If you want to venture farther out of the metro area, other Front Range cities with wineries include Loveland, Boulder, Evergreen, Arvada, Salida, Cascade, and Colorado Springs.

Want a curated trip? Join History Colorado and Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel for an extravagant tour of the state’s best wines in partnership with AAA Colorado!

Reader Comment: I'm wondering if you'd be willing to add the historic Winery at Holy Cross Abbey to the list?

While drinking Abbey Winery’s wine is always a pleasure, a trip to the winery is a visit into the past as it sits on the grounds of the historic Holy Cross Abbey, a monastery built by Benedictine Monks in 1924.

In addition to its fascinating history, the winery won the 2019 Winery of the Year Award from the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Encology (CAVE) and numerous awards over the last several years at the Jerry Meade New World Wine Competition, the Jefferson Cup, the Tasters Guild International, and more.

The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey hosts several events throughout the year, including its most popular, The Annual Harvest Festival, a community-wide celebration featuring wine, food, music, and more.

Close to the Front Range and unique for the area, The Winery at Holy Cross is a top attraction in the Royal Gorge Region, Colorado's Climate Capital and one of the fastest growing regions in Colorado.

Want to learn more? Check out the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey. —Lindsay Diamond