If you own a winery, you know you have done something right when the local community refers to your winery as “their” winery. This is the case in Cañon City, Colorado. Owner Matt and Sally Cookson, The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, produce an unusual wine that creates a lot of enthusiasm in the community. The Cookson’s create a rosé table wine from different grapes brought in by members of the community. The minimum requirement is twenty pounds of grapes. In 2007, over 100 families brought grapes to the winery to go into the production of Wild Cañon Harvest. That number is expected to increase in 2008. Organizations such as Girl Scout troops and 4H Clubs also brought grapes to the winery.

In addition to making a true community wine, the Cookson’s are also collecting data about the grape varieties that grow in the Cañon City area.  If residents are interested in planting grapes, they can tell them the varieties that are planted and doing well. With the thousands of grape varieties available this is very helpful information.

Wine Trail Traveler article about the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey

The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey website