First Friday at BookCliff Vineyards

First Friday is back for April with art on display from Jane Braley, wine and cheese flights to snack on and cool Jazz to listen to starting at 6:00pm.
The NoBo Art District has become a hot spot to hang out on the First Friday, walking for studio and business to studio meeting the artist. This is a neighborhood event to be part of. Come join us at BookCliff Vineyards from 6:00pm to 9:00pm . Food truck on site.
Check out the map for participating studios and businesses.
https://batchgeo.com/map/1ba619195901033f5478c8ff68362f5b

Colorado Terroir Similar to Argentina

It is all in the soil. And the climate. And not to forget the elevation. When we visited the vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina we were surprised to find similar growing conditions. Sandy loam soil with rocks embedded and a dry, arid climate requiring irrigation during the entire growing season. Argentina, especially in the Uco valley can boast more rocks, through the rocks are fewer in Colorado they are bigger. Both areas depend on the run off from the snow pack in the mountains, which feeds into the Colorado river and flows right through Palisade. In Mendoza the consensus is that grapes grown in higher elevations make better wine. The highest locations in the Uco valley, 45 minutes South of Mendoza are at 4900 feet. The BookCliff Vineyards in Palisade are at 4600 feet. As a result Colorado wines taste more like the wines in Mendoza than in California and the same grape varieties are used to make world class wine - Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot.

Grape Varieties that do well in Colorado and Argentina

Not surprising the grape varieties that thrive in Argentina also thrive in Colorado. These are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and also Merlot. When it comes to white varieties, Chardonnay comes out at the top. As Malbec is not as cold hardy as Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, Malbec grows more successfully in Mendoza where the winters are warmer compared to Palisade. The wines made from Malbec are beautiful in both places. Colorado has carved out itself a niche with Cabernet Franc which has been recognized as the signature red grape in Colorado. Mendoza is just discovering Cabernet Franc as an alternative to Malbec.