Colorado

The mountainous state with the capital Denver is located in the north of New Mexico and belongs to the southwest of the USA. Viniculture was established here towards the end of the 19th century, but was completely shut down by prohibition (1920-1933) and fruit plantations were established instead. It was not until 1968 that there was a new beginning. The two areas Grand Valley and West Elks are classified as AVA. Many of the more than 60 production plants are located in the west in the area of Grand Junction in the Grand Valley, some on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. About 75% of the vineyards are located at 1,400 meters above sea level, in Paonia (North Fork Valley) one vineyard is even 2,100 meters high. This makes it one of the highest in the world. The apt slogan of the Colorado wine industry is "More altitude, less attitude," meaning "more high altitude, less snootiness. On the approximately 200 hectares of vineyards, mainly European varieties are cultivated, the most common being Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer and Shiraz. Well known producers are Aspen Valley Winery, Carlson Cellars, Canyon Wine Cellars, Cottonwood Cellars, Grande River, Mountain Spirit Winery, Old Town Winery, Pike Peaks Vineyards, Plum Creek, Shadow Mountain Cellars, Steamboat Springs Cellars, Stoney Mesa Winery, Surface Creek Winery, Sutcliffe Vineyards, Terror Creek Winery, Trail Ridge Winery, Two Rivers Winery.