Winery Tours
West Elks Wine Trail
The West Elks AVA is becoming well known for its fine wines. In the years before Prohibition the valley of the North Fork of the Gunnison river was well-known for its grape production. During the Prohibition years the vinyards were torn out and replaced by orchards producing cherries, pears, peaches and apples. A slow reversal is now happening as grape production is becoming an important element of the North Fork's agricultural economy.
West Elks Wine Trail
The West Elks AVA is becoming well known for its fine wines. In the years before Prohibition the valley of the North Fork of the Gunnison river was well-known for its grape production. During the Prohibition years the vinyards were torn out and replaced by orchards producing cherries, pears, peaches and apples. A slow reversal is now happening as grape production is becoming an important element of the North Fork's agricultural economy.
Alfred Eames Cellars
Alfred Eames Cellars
11931 4050 Rd., Paonia
(970) 527-3269
alfredeamescellars.com
Alfred Eames Cellars is located at Puesta del Sol Vineyards three miles south of Paonia Colorado in the West Elks Viticultural Area.
Alfred Eames Cellars' wine is traditionally crafted from grapes grown in the high elevations of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Our red wines are fermented in open vats, barrel aged in French oak, unfined and unfiltered. Our white wines are barrel fermented and lightly filtered.
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Azura Cellars
AZURA Cellars
16764 Farmers Mine Road, Paonia,
(970) 390-4251 (970) 331-2864
azuracellars.com
Our collection of wines is produced exclusively in the North Fork valley either at the winery or blended to our specifications by the best vintners in the valley. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we do!
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Black Bridge Winery
Black Bridge Winery
15836 Black Bridge Rd
Paonia, CO 81428
(970) 527-6838
www.blackbridgewinery.com
People say a great wine begins in the vineyard. At an altitude of 5800 feet, 13 inches of precipitation annually, 150 frost-free days, 3% slope and Agua Fria stony loam, our ideal locale and farming expertise produce premium classic wine grapes: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot and Pinot Noir. Plus we are one of the few vineyards in Colorado where the sensitive Pinot Noir grapes are successfully cultivated.
What goes into a bottle of Pinot Noir?
The Pinot Noir grapes are hand picked from our vineyard and transported to the crush pad where they are gently destemmed, providing whole berries for fermentation. The grapes are fermented in one-ton open-top plastic fermenters and one 500 gallon refrigerated milk tank. During fermentation, all procedures are done by hand. The ability to control the temperature in our walk-in cooler allows for a stable fermentation rate. Within two weeks the fermentation is complete.
The wine is pressed, then transferred to oak barrels and transported to our underground wine cave where it is aged for 16 months. The naturally controlled temperature of the wine cave ranges from 40 degrees in the winter and 60 degrees in the summer. This process preserves the fruity, earthy qualities of the Beezley Block Vineyard.
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Delicious Orchards
Delicious Orchards (home of NORTH FORK CELLARS)
39130 Hwy. 133 Paonia, CO
1.5 miles west of Paonia
(970) 527-1110
Open every day 8am -6pm
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Leroux Creek Vineyards
Leroux Creek Vineyards
12388-3100 Road.
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
(970) 872-4746
Leroux Creek Inn
Open Daily: 11-5 PM
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Liliputian Winery
Liliputian Winery
31428 Hwy 92
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
(970) 872-3019
www.liliputianwinery.com
We are a very small, family owned winery located in the beautiful North Fork Valley of Colorado. Established in 2009 and located within the West Elks AVA, we handcraft small batches of wine with grapes from our vineyard and other local, organic fruits and herbs. Our labels feature original artworks by some of our valley’s most talented local artists.
Lisa Fairbank: Our resident winemaker, Lisa has enjoyed wine and winemaking for over 20 years. She says “Winemaking and all the other aspects that go into producing a bottle have given me a new creative outlet. Producing a bottle of wine that I enjoy drinking and want to share with family and friends has been one of the greatest endeavors I’ve ever undertaken.”
Scott Fairbank: Scott is our resident “muscle”. He takes care of the vineyard and all the other hard physical work that goes into producing a great bottle of wine.
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S. Rhodes Vinyard
S. Rhodes Vinyard
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
(970) 872-4925
Stone Cottage Cellars
Stone Cottage Cellars
41716 Reds Rd.
Paonia, CO 81428
(970) 527-3444
www.stonecottagecellars.com
A family, living on the land, crafting premium wine with Colorado nuance.
Memorial Day thru October
Tasting and Tours Daily: 11:00-6:00
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Terror Creek Winery
Terror Creek Winery
17445 Garvin Mesa Road
Paonia CO 81428
(970) 527 3484 (phone & FAX)
terrorcreekwinery.com
Open daily 11-5
Click compass rose for map:
WEST ELKS AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREA
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