I’m embracing a Colorado wine encore, cultivating grapevines, and crafting wine. I’m sharing my wine encore journey from city life winemaking to country vineyard grower, hoping to inspire those with similar dreams or offer a vicarious escape for others.
Marshall's Wine Encore is Multi-Faceted
Marshall’s Wine Encore is geared toward learning about keeping a vineyard and winemaking. The content begins at square one—we all have to start somewhere—and it doesn’t matter our age or place in life. Content also takes deeper dives and is relevant to those desiring a refresher.
The site’s Vineyard and Winemaker pages provide an overview of each topic. After the topic summaries, there are a series of curated topic blocks from online subject matter experts who make it happen.
If you’d like to learn “with a side of humor” from my personal experiences, immerse yourself in my blogs, which cover rural valley living, planting and maintaining a vineyard, and my musings on current events in the world of wine.
You can also keep up-to-date on the Colorado wine scene, news, and seasonal festival pages.
I've Enjoyed this Journey—So Can You!
Summer on Sunshine Mesa – 2024 Edition
Summer is an eventful season in the vineyard. While its tribulations can be burdensome, you always come away with new insights. I’ve learned about vine flower shatter, leafhoppers, vine root growth, and how my daily vineyard schedule is not unlike my grandfather’s farm routine.
Vineyard Pests
Whoa, came across one of these in the vineyard… Well, not really. However, I came across an article about Australian vineyard pests and was struck and humored by the uncommonness to North American pests our “down under” friends have to put up with. They may seem cute, but they are still pests, i.e., they cause damage to the vines and grapes.
Is Your Wine Natural?
You may have encountered the term “natural” when looking for wines at your local shop or restaurant. Initially, I thought natural was used as a play on organic. Come to find out, my initial reaction was not wrong but also not entirely correct.
Colorado Wine Country According to AI
Can AI write an blog post discussing Colorado’s Wine Country? Of course it can. I asked ChatGTP to write four versions of a blog comparing Colorado’s two wine-growing regions, Grand Valley and West Elks. AI was also used to generate associated images. The results were surprising good, and fast. There were takeaways.
Welcome to My Blog!
2020 was a year of upheaval and change for everyone. For me, it began a journey of working towards my life encore. COVID-19 freed me from in-person work requirements. The evolving more flexible dynamic supported a transition from city to rural living, enabling me to pursue my passion to grow grapes and make wine.
Will Insurers Make Climate Change Sceptics Change Their Minds?
“If you’re not insured, you might as well give up, a wine grower stated bluntly.” The increased severity and occurrence of weather events (rain, wind, hail, drought, etc.) is a well-documented hallmark of anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change.
Touring Talbott Farms – Colorado’s Largest Peach and Wine Grape Producer (Westword)
Bruce Talbott’s great-great-grandfather Joseph Evan Yeager planted one of Palisade’s first orchards in 1907; today, family-owned and operated Talbott Farms is the largest peach producer and largest wine grape producer in the state.
2024 Governor’s Cup Wine Collection Winners Announced (AgClips)
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB), part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, proudly announces the 14 wines selected to represent the Colorado wine industry as the 2024 Governor’s Cup Wine Collection. This year’s competition included 302 wine submissions
2024 Colorado Mountain Winefest Returns to Palisade Sept. 21 (Thirst CO)
The 2024 Colorado Mountain Winefest is coming up. It has become such a major draw that it inspired a signature wine. Talon Wines in Palisade said the Riverbed Red made for the festival is “inspired by the many years of
Liquor Sales Tumble in Colorado as Sellers Face Competition and Declining Demand (Colorado Public Radio)
Total alcohol sales volume is down 6 percent through the first six months of this year, compared to the same time period in 2023, according to data from the Colorado Department of Revenue. Every major segment of alcohol — beer,
Savoring the Slope: Mark Condon’s Passion for Local Wines & Beyond (Grand Mesa Business Guild)
The Western Slope of Colorado is known for its kicked-backed attitude, sprawling farms, rodeos, and good hearty food. Now the area is also becoming known for a surprising new distinction: some of the best wines in the country. Dotted all
Treat Yourself to a Sleepover at 9 Colorado Wineries (Denver Post)
Whenever I visit a winery, I sigh deeply and say, “I wish I never had to leave.” The wine’s delightful taste, the vineyards’ scenic beauty, and the warm hospitality make me content. Some Colorado wineries do want you to make