Colorado's wine country is far from California's famed Napa Valley. For one, it's much harder to grow grapes here.

What they're saying: "It's not easy. We don't have enough water … and the weather is just unpredictable," says Doug Caskey, the executive director of the state's Wine Industry Development Board.

State of the vineyard: Climate change doesn't help either. "The Grand Valley American Viticultural Area is already a hot climate during the summer, so if those temps go up that's a problem," Caskey told John. "It's that shoulder season inconsistency that's been a bigger issue."

By the numbers: Colorado winemakers rebounded last season after a tough two-year stretch from 2020-2021, boosting production to 1,856,099 liters, or 201,417 cases, state figures show.

Yes, but: It remains below historical highs in terms of production and market share.

What's new: Colorado farmers are adapting by diversifying their vineyards and planting new grape varieties in the hopes that if they lose one, others may survive.

• Cab Franc and Merlot are traditionally strong Colorado varieties, but the less-known St. Vincent and Chambourcin grapes are becoming more popular. Riesling grapes also do well in Colorado's climate.
• New wine types, such as pet-nat and sparkling, are keeping tasters interested.

The intrigue: One factor driving the industry is growth in Western Slope wineries outside the Palisade-focused Grand Valley area, where production has increased steadily every year, including 22% in the 2021-2022 season.

The bottom line: When tasting Colorado wine, Caskey said it's about expectations. "It's important to remember that Colorado is not California," he says.

• "I think it's important to focus your expectations on what you're drinking, what's in the glass, not necessarily, 'Does it taste like somewhere else?'"

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If you want to experience Colorado wine, you should immerse yourself in the vineyards in Palisade.

Mark your calendar: The 32nd annual Colorado Mountain Winefest is Sept. 16 at the Riverbend Park in Palisade. It features tastings from more than 50 Colorado wineries, as well as educational seminars, live music and chef demonstrations.

• Of note: Colorado Wine Week is Sept. 11-17 and wineries across the state are hosting special events.

Where to sip: On a recent trip to Palisade, John started at Colterris, Colorado's largest estate winery and a beautiful setting. All the wines originate from their own grapes. The best tastes were the Merlot and Cab Franc.

• Ordinary Fellow, from Infinite Monkey Theorem's Ben Parsons, was the first winery to get a Colorado license since Prohibition.
• Boulder's Bookcliff Vineyards and Denver's Carboy also have outposts in the valley.

Keep reading … where to eat and hike

To get smart about wine, you need to develop your palate.

What to know: We turned to Vail Valley sommelier Kristin Hunter for advice. She makes wine under the label Shovel Blanc and offers expertise and experiences through her company, Lemon Rock.

• She shared these three tips with John about how to taste wine.

🥂 Build a wine flight: To learn the differences in varieties, build a flight with five to six that cover a broad spectrum. "I like to start with a really light white wine, then work up to a darker red and finish with champagne to cleanse the palate," Hunter says.

• For the advanced taster, get the same variety of wine from different regions, such as a pinot noir from Oregon, California and Burgundy, France.

🍷 Pro tip: "I find that when you're doing a wine tasting with people, it's helpful to have at least two glasses in front of you so you can go back and forth and compare and contrast," she says.

• And you need proper glassware: a wine glass that can accentuate the aromas.

👃 It's all about the aroma: "Smell is the most important thing," Hunter says. She recommends you swirl the wine and "get your nose into that glass." Then, she says, take a swig and spit so it covers every part of your mouth. See how it feels on your tongue and gums, she adds.

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