Opened to the public in June 2002, The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is celebrating 25 years of winemaking this summer, though this summer may also be its last. After operating the winery for the past 21 years, owner Larry Oddo plans to retire at the end of September. The winery is currently listed for sale but has yet to attract a buyer. If the winery does not sell, sadly, it will close its doors on Sept. 30.

“This has been a gut-wrenching period of time,” Oddo said. “This winery and our employees mean so much to the community and me. I’d love to have someone continue the legacy we have built over the years, but finding the right person to carry it forward hasn’t been easy. I may have to let it go and move on, and that is the most difficult part of owning and exiting a small business.”

In its 25 years of operations, the winery has won more than 1,200 medals and awards in international competitions, including the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards. Many wines have received double gold, best of class, and best of show, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the finest wines produced throughout the world. It is the first Colorado winery to have its wine placed in a National Park and is currently available at Yellowstone NP.

Apart from making excellent wine and cementing itself as a major tourism attraction and partner in the Royal Gorge Region, the winery team has created or supported numerous events on and off the Abbey property. Oddo and winery personnel were very involved in the building and development of several festivals, including the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, the Create Cañon City Balloon Classic, and, of course, the winery’s Annual Harvest Fest.

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