Explore the 12 Winning Colorado Wines announced at 2017 Governors Cup

Colorado’s reputation for being one of the origins of the nation’s popular craft beer movement is well-known… thanks in part to its current sitting Governor, John Hickenlooper who was one of Denver’s original microbrewers.   But Colorado isn’t only beer, blue skies, and alpine mountain vistas – it’s also building a well-regarded reputation for producing several high quality wines out of the state’s scenic viticultural areas.

Most of Colorado’s vineyards can be found on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, though an increasing number of wineries are located along Colorado’s urban corridor.  An interesting side note about Colorado’s grape growing region: it contain some of the highest elevation vineyards in the world, with most viticulture in the state located between 4,000 and 7,000 feet elevation.

To celebrate the state’s growing popularity for wine production, the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) recently put hosted a tasting to designate Colorado’s best wines of 2017.

Full results published on www.coloradowine.com.

Find out more from the press release below…

Sunset on the Western Slope's Wine Region

Sunset on the Western Slope’s Wine Region

(Denver, Colo.) – July 20, 2017 – The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB), part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, proudly announces the 12 Colorado wines that have been selected to comprise the 2017 Governor’s Cup Case. This year’s competition drew 325 entries from 46 local wineries, and was judged by a panel of 16 notable sommeliers, winemakers, writers, and wine experts from around the country and Colorado. The Best of Show winner will be officially announced during the annual Governor’s Cup Wine Competition Public Tasting event taking place on the evening of August 3rd at the History Colorado Center. This event will be the first and only opportunity for the public to try all of the award-winning wines at the same time.

“The Colorado wine industry continues to grow with our wonderful wineries from all over the state,” said Governor John Hickenlooper.  “We look forward to sharing its award-winning tastes and spectacular scenery with our visitors.”  

Highly acclaimed wine icon, Warren Winiarski, returned to sit on this year’s panel, along with featured judges this year, Doug Frost and Wayne Belding, both Master Sommeliers. Frost is a Kansas City author who is one of four people in the world to have achieved both titles of Master Sommelier and Master of Wine. Belding was the first MS in Colorado and ran the Boulder Wine Merchant until a few years ago.

“Colorado wines have proved themselves cable of competing not only on the national but the world stage for years,” said Frost. “The state has offered delicious red and white wines, though the wider world seems unaware of that. That is partly due to the small quantities produced, but the high quality can’t remain a secret forever.”

Mt. Garfield overlooking Grand Valley vineyards. ph: CWIDB

Mt. Garfield overlooking Grand Valley vineyards. ph: CWIDB

2017 Governor’s Cup Case (Top 12 wines)

  • Bookcliff Vineyards (Boulder) – 2016 Riesling, Colorado
  • Carlson Vineyards (Palisade) – Tyrannosaurus Red, 2015 Lemberger Grand Valley AVA
  • Colorado Cellars (Palisade) – Raspberry Wine
  • Colorado Cider Company (Denver)—Grasshop-ah Cider
  • Creekside Cellars (Evergreen) – 2014 Cabernet Franc, Colorado
  • Guy Drew Vineyards (Cortez)—2015 Syrah, Colorado
  • Meadery of the Rockies (Palisade) – Strawberry Honey
  • The Infinite Monkey Theorem (Denver) – 2013 “The Bubble Universe,” Sparkling Albarino, Grand Valley AVA
  • Two Rivers Winery (Grand Junction) – 2015 Port, Mesa County
  • Decadent Saint (Boulder) – 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, American
  • Whitewater Hill Vineyards (Grand Junction) – 2016 Sweetheart Red, Grand Valley AVA
  • Winery at Holy Cross Abbey – 2015 Reserve Merlot, Colorado