Our
Vineyards
Our
climate and soils provide excellent grape growing conditions
despite the danger of late-spring frosts. Intense sunlight at
our 5,700' elevation and growing seasons that are hot and dry
with cooler nights than many grape growing areas of Colorado
are perfect for our grapes' color and flavor maturation and
eliminate the need to treat the vines for mildew and other pests
and diseases common in Colorado. We have mineral-rich alluvial
soils ranging from heavy clay loam to sandy loam and we look
forward to evaluating the characteristics each of these soils
bring to our wines.
We started planting our vineyards against the canyon walls on
the north side of McElmo Creek in the spring of 1999 and now
have 20 acres planted in ten varietals; Cabernet Franc, Cabrenet
Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, Petit
Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. We intend to farm the
vinyard organically because we feel responsible treatment of
our environment and soils is paramount to the production of
quality fruit and the wines made from it.
We contract fruit from a 9-acre vineyard that we helped establish
14 miles west down-canyon at the Canyon of the Ancients Ranch
owned by Bob and Diana Schuster. The elevation there is 5,000'
(700 lower than our vineyards) and the climate is similar to
Palisade, Colorado where spring frosts are uncommon. Heat-loving
varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah thrive there and
produce fruit rich in color and flavors. The vines are maturing,
and we are encouraged by the results of extracting vineyard
management and controlled yields on the quality of our grapes
with each harvest.
Organic
Vegetables
We
grow vegetables each year for our own use and sale
to our customers. McElmo Canyon has a rich history of truck
farming of tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, melons and corn
being some of the most delicious available anywhere.
Archaeology
Our
area has the highest concentration of archaeological sites in
the country and we have discovered that we certainly have our
share. When developing the westernmost vineyard on our property,
we encountered ruins of Ancient Puebloan peoples' villages in
three different locations. We had archaeologists map the sites
and look forward to preserving the heritage of this region.
These people lived on our lands during the Pueblo I and Pueblo
II periods from 850 A.D. to 1280 A.D. They grew corn, beans
and squash for food just as we do today in the same location.
You're
Invited
Experience
how agricultural tradition is continuing in this unique area
of abundant sunshine and productive soils and our commitment
to growing premium grapes and making fine wines for your pleasure.
Join us for a complimentary tasting daily 12pm-5pm.
Read More About the
Vineyards Summer 2005
|
