Annual Awards Announced at Colorado Wine Industry Conference (The Daily Sentinel)
Staff
January 25, 2026
The annual VinCO Conference and Trade Show was held this week and the winners of this year’s Awards of Excellence were announced.
Colorado Association for Viticulture and Enology (CAVE) recognized the Winery of the Year, Grape Grower of the Year and Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry at its annual awards banquet.
Aspen Peak Cellars, owned by Julie and Marcel Flukiger, was recognized as Winery of the Year for 2025.
“Together, they have created a winery that truly embodies the spirit of Colorado wine, one defined by resilience, creativity, and genuine hospitality,” CAVE said in a statement. “Aspen Peak Cellars offers a distinctive and memorable experience that is fun, welcoming, and deeply rooted in community, leaving a lasting impression on every guest.”
Palisade winemaker Kaibab Sauvage took home the Grape Grower of the Year award. Sauvage began in the early 2000s as a grower for BookCliff Vineyards and later founded Colorado Vineyard Specialists, according to a news release.
“Over the past decade — marked by significant challenges for grape growers statewide — Kaibab has demonstrated exceptional leadership by pioneering new varietals in both vinifera and hybrid plantings,” CAVE said in a statement. “His grapes have been the foundation of numerous award-winning wines, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of Colorado viticulture.”
Richard McDonald, also from Palisade, was recognized as Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry for 2025. He and his wife, Aly, founded Colorado Vintners Collective in Palisade and launched his own label, Cliff Dweller Wines.