The Colorado Cru project was established by the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE). Through a carefully crafted blend featuring Colorado-grown grapes, Colorado Cru highlights the vibrant flavors and unique terroir of our state. This project will establish Colorado’s first signature blend, increasing wine quality, tourism, consumer awareness, and market share for local wineries.
Colorado Cru invites individual Colorado wineries to craft a unique wine blend that highlights the distinctive character of Colorado's viticultural landscape and its signature winemaking style. This initiative was developed to raise the overall quality and identity of Colorado wine by carefully selecting grape varieties based on extensive outreach, historical grower data, and insights from Colorado State University (CSU). The selected grapes, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chambourcin, Riesling, Traminette, and Chardonnay, were identified through conversations with established grape producers and analysis of vineyard acreage and production data. These varieties best represent Colorado’s potential to produce high-quality, expressive wines that showcase our unique terroir. Colorado Cru aims to elevate recognition of Colorado wine, strengthen the region’s wine identity, and foster local pride in the state's rich viticultural heritage.
What Participating Wineries Receive
Wineries whose blends are accepted into the Colorado Cru program will receive:
- Usage rights for the official Colorado Cru logo, including:
- Colorado Cru award sticker
- Digital logo files for marketing use
- Marketing collateral, including:
- Shelf talkers
- Point-of-sale materials
- Branded promotional templates
- Inclusion in coordinated press and promotional efforts, which include:
- Participation in America 250 – Colorado 150 commemorative events
- Highlighting in statewide and national campaigns centered around agriculture, heritage, and local tourism
- Feature opportunities in media outreach and collaborative wine events
Marketing Timeline & Exposure
The Colorado Cru signature blends will be officially released in March 2026 and will be featured prominently in:
- CAVE promotions
- Tourism campaigns
- Retail and restaurant partnerships
- National exposure through America's Semiquincentennial celebration (250th anniversary of the United States)
This initiative is designed to help increase consumer awareness, boost direct-to-consumer wine sales, and position Colorado wine as a symbol of state pride and agricultural excellence.
Cost to Wineries
Wineries whose blends are accepted will pay according to the following schedule:
CAVE Members $2.00 per case with a $500 cap
Non-CAVE Members $4.00 per case with no cap
Wineries will be invoiced along with acceptance notification.
Colorado Cru Blend Specifications
Red Blend: At least 55% of the blend must be composed of one or more of the following grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Syrah, or Chambourcin. Any single variety must be less than 75% of the total blend. The remaining percentage may include any other grape variety, provided all grapes are grown in Colorado.
White Blend: At least 55% of the blend must be composed of one or more of the following grape varieties: Riesling, Traminette, or Chardonnay. Any single variety must be less than 75% of the total blend. The remaining percentage may include any other grape variety, provided all grapes are grown in Colorado.
Submission Process
1. You must provide 3 (three) 750 ml samples of each of your submissions.
2. Each submission is $10.
3. Wine submissions are due by January 28, 2026, no later than 12:00 pm. Wines may delivered in person at the VinCO Conference and Trade show or to the CAVE office at the following address.
CAVE, 124 W. 3rd St, Palisade, CO, 81526
ATTN: Colorado Cru
Judges and Evaluation Criteria
Each wine will be assigned a unique identification number to ensure a fully blind evaluation process. Wines will will be submitted to a third party laboratory for a basic chemistry panel in addition to a blind sensory evaluation.
The seven member panel for the Colorado Cru pass/fail acceptance process will consist of wine writers, restaurateurs and retailers. The panel will have no identifying information available during the blind tasting. The goal of the panel is to assess whether each wine meets the quality standards and stylistic intent of the Colorado Cru project.
Acceptance Notification
Wineries will be notified of the acceptance status within one week of the panel’s decision. Wineries will receive the corresponding chemistry panel results along with their acceptance status.
Important Conditions and Details
CAVE’s Colorado Cru Project was established to develop and promote Colorado’s first signature blend, increasing wine quality, tourism, consumer awareness and market share for local wineries. In submitting samples for submission the applicant certifies and agrees to all conditions in this document, to abide by the rules of the selection process, and to accept the panel’s decisions as final. Entrant understands and agrees that CAVE may subsequently use the participating winery name and/or pictures of the winery for publicity and/or promotional purposes without obligation or liability to the entrant.