Colorado may not have the reputation (yet) of California’s viticultural industry, but wine grapes have been grown in the Centennial State for more than a century. Prohibition essentially halted the state’s wine production but after a revival in the 1960s, wine now contributes more than $300 million to the economy. The Western Slope has become a legitimate tourist destination for wine lovers and Colorado’s picturesque vineyards consistently produce great fruit.

Colorado wine is climbing, rising in production and quality, and gaining national attention for doing what the state does best – pulling off elevated feats. Deeply drawn to this terrain, producers across the state join the broader industry’s conscientious drive to protect natural resources through land management.

Colorado is renowned for its Rocky Mountains, world-class ski resorts, and vibrant craft beer scene that’s home to 400 breweries. Colorado is also home to two designated wine regions, American Viticultural Areas and more than 170 licensed wineries to explore.

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.

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 from 52 Colorado wineries.

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, wine, hard liquor spirits — are down. Wine, though, has been hit the hardest, with sales volume down 16 percent.

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 over the Western Slope, vineyards can be found at some very high elevations–anywhere from 4500 to 6900 feet.