West Elks AVA

west-elks-avaIt is no coincidence that our friends and neighbors make great wine! Nearly a dozen wineries are nestled here in a special region designated as the West Elks AVA: Black Bridge Winery, Stone Cottage Cellars, Alfred Eames Cellars, 5680 Cellars, Azura Cellars, Leroux Creek Vineyards, North Fork Cellars, Mesa Winds Farm and Winery, Evening Grace Estate, Qutori Wines and 5680˚ Vineyards (see map).

This North Fork – Paonia – Hotchkiss region has gained a reputation as a premium local food and wine mecca, with a landscape so remarkable that there are two Scenic Byways and thousands of acres of protected wilderness. It’s a destination you don’t want to miss.

Colorado is considered one of the finest emerging wine areas in the U.S.

The mesas and river valleys on the western side of the Colorado Rocky Mountains have been premium grape-growing country for more than a century. During Prohibition, vineyards were uprooted and replaced with orchards. Modern vineyards began in earnest in the late 1960s with classic wine-grape varieties. Because Colorado’s vineyards are the highest in North America (4500 to over 7000 feet above sea level), the humidity is very low and our soils quite alkaline. . . our wines are unique. West Elks wineries have been recognized with numerous awards and draw visitors from far and wide. 

What does AVA stand for in West Elks AVA?

Our wineries are situated in a special area designated as the West Elks AVA. AVA stands for American Viticulture Area, which identifies unique geographic and climactic features that distinguish the qualities of a region’s grape growing. The West Elks AVA encompasses the lands surrounding Paonia, Hotchkiss, and northwesterly of Highway 133 in western Colorado. For more info about West Elks wineries and events, check out these sites:

Colorado’s West Elk – North Fork Valley Wineries – info and events

Visit Paonia – North Forks in western Colorado

West Elks AVA pinot noir grapes Pinot noir grapes thrive when they have a spectacular view, like here in the West Elks! In the wine cave, winemaker Lee Bradley will top the barrels because wine is lost during aging. This is called the “Angel’s Share.” 

Winemaker Lee Bradley West Elks AVA

To learn more about wine, watch for our events. It’s a great way to drink in the West Elks.