Colorado Cru: The Next Chapter Of The State’s Wine Story
Photo by Kim Fuller
Colorado’s wine industry has long existed just outside the national spotlight — quietly producing expressive, high-altitude wines shaped by a landscape that’s anything but ordinary. Now, a new initiative is giving that story sharper definition, grounding it in place, people and purpose.
Launched by the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), Colorado Cru is a new designation designed to highlight the state’s distinct growing regions and elevate awareness of its unique terroir. It arrives alongside the Drink Colorado Wine app, a free, statewide platform that connects consumers directly with Colorado wineries, events and experiences. Together, they offer something the industry has been building toward: a clearer, more cohesive identity.
Colorado Cru invites wineries to craft blends that reflect both the character of the land and their own winemaking style. The goal is not strict standardization, but a shared framework that helps articulate what makes Colorado wine distinct.
“The launch of Colorado Cru marks an exciting step forward for the Colorado wine industry,” says Cassidee Shull, executive director of CAVE. “It allows us to more clearly define and celebrate the unique characteristics of our growing regions, while giving consumers a deeper, more connected experience with Colorado wine.”
To guide that identity, Colorado Cru focuses on a select group of grape varieties identified through grower input, vineyard data and research from Colorado State University. Cabernet franc, syrah, chambourcin, riesling, traminette and chardonnay were chosen for their ability to thrive in Colorado’s varied conditions and produce high-quality wines. These grapes form the foundation, but interpretation is left to the winemakers, allowing each bottle to reflect both regional character and individual approach.
A growing number of producers are already helping define the Colorado Cru designation. On the Western Slope, Carlson Vineyards delivers a bold take with its 2022 NSFW red, and Peachfork Orchards & Vineyard showcases versatility through both its 2024 dry white wine blend and 2023 dry red wine blend.
The Drink Colorado Wine app brings that exploration to life. The app features a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate listing of all CAVE member wineries across the state, giving users a streamlined way to discover wines, view food pairings and build personalized wine trails. It’s a practical tool, but also an invitation to explore more deeply and experience Colorado wine as a connected, place-driven story.
In a state better known for craft beer and outdoor adventure, Colorado wine continues to define itself. Colorado Cru doesn’t rewrite that story, it sharpens it. Here, heritage is being shaped in real time, vintage by vintage.
Originally published in the summer 2026 issue of Spoke+Blossom.