The Four-Corners area of Colorado is the newest wine country in the state with vines first being planted in 1998. This area has only a few vineyards and wineries at the present, but it is bound to expand the acres of wine grapes as more growers find out how suited this region is to the classic wine varieties.
Guy Drew Vineyards and Crooked Creek Winery were the first to plant vines in the Four Corners area. They located in McElmo Canyon in the southwest arm of Montezuma Valley on the Colorado Plateau west of the Rocky Mountains. This scenic area was an ancient Anasazi trade route and historical fruit-growing region in Colorado, perfectly adapted to growing premium wine grapes.
The climate and soils of the Four Corners area provide excellent grape growing conditions despite the danger of late-spring frosts. As with the two other major grape growing areas in Colorado, the intense sunlight at this 5,700' elevation and a growing season that is hot and dry with cooler nights are perfect for the grapes color and flavor attributes.
The arid climate eliminates the need to treat the vines for mildew and other pests and diseases common in other Colorado wine areas. The Four Corners soils are mineral-rich and provide the interesting characteristics that can be found in the wines from this region.
Crooked Creek Winery now produces world class wines with distinctive southwest flavors from Cabernet Franc, Cabrenet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. These are highlighted at their 2,500 square foot pueblo-style straw bale winery to which was added a 1,400 square foot covered crush pad and tank storage space behind the winery, and a 3,500 square foot climate-controlled barrel storage building in 2002.
This 155-acre vineyard and farm is surrounded by the high desert pinon pine and juniper landscape, riparian wildlife areas along McElmo Creek, and numerous Anasazi ruins. The legendary Sleeping Ute Mountain rises to 10,000 feet just to the south, while the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument begins below the rimrock on the north and Mesa Verde provides spectacular vistas to the east for winery visitors.
Sutcliffe Vineyards is the second significant Four Corners winery. It is nestled between the Sleeping Ute Mountain and the sheer walls of the Battlerock. Sutcliffe Vineyards has been setting new standards for Colorado Wines since their opening. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Viognier are their specialties. Although just in their beginnings, this winery is bound to become a leader in the Four-Corners wine country.
While vacationing in the Four Corners Area, you should also stop in at the Honeyville Tasting Room. Here you'll find the wines of the Meadery of the Rockies, St. Kathryn Cellars and Confre Cellars plus an endless variety of local honey products.
In this beautiful Colorado Four Corners area, vineyards are being planted and wineries are beginning to gain recognition for their unique wines born out of the climate and soils that this region has to offer. While visiting the historic Anasazi ruins and enjoying the mesas and landscapes found here, don't forget to do a little wine tasting. You'll discover the truely world class wines that are now being produced in Colorado's newest wine country.
