Wine grapes have been grown in several Colorado counties since the end of the last century. A renewed interest in wine-grape cultivation was borne during the mid-‘70s and the Colorado wine industry has experienced dramatic growth in this decade.
The issues of cold climate limitations on wine-grape culture are of extreme importance to Colorado growers, but with careful site selection, varietal selection and use of proper viticultural management techniques, vineyards can tolerate winter conditions and survive. The effect of high elevation offers a unique quality to grape growing in Colorado. Most suitable sites lie between 4,500 and 6,000 feet above sea level–-substantially higher than most growing regions of the world. This high elevation is accompanied by an extremely dry climate. Because of these factors, the region experiences intense sunlight and significant daily temperature fluctuations. These conditions foster high pigment production and high acid retention in most grape varieties–-just as they do for traditional peach and apple crops in the area. Thus, grapes that survive Colorado winters can mature and produce fruit with highly desirable wine-making characteristics. For more information go GrapeGrowersGuide1998.pdf
