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Article: West Elks: the 'other' Colorado wine region: North Fork of the Gunnison River valley growing in importance.(VINE [Arts & Entertainment])
- Article from:
- ColoradoBiz
- Article date:
- April 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Wiesner Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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One of the prettiest drives in Colorado is on the West Elk Scenic Byway, a gawker's paradise that loops through mountains and valleys south of Carbondale. On the western loop of the byway, just off 8,755-foot McClure Pass on Colorado 133, is an agricultural area known for its cherries and apples but also increasingly known for its wine.
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More than 60 wineries spread across Colorado now, but the state has only two areas the federal government has designated as a grape-growing region called an American Viticultural Area (AVA). The designation conveys distinction, pride and often quality.
Colorado's two AVAs are the Grand ...