Colorado vineyards have been steadily gaining national, and international, recognition. One testament to the quality and drinkability of our grapes is the dramatic increase in the number of wineries in Colorado. The small town of Palisade is approximately four hours west of Parker and currently boasts an impressive 30 wineries.
Luckily for Parker locals, Douglas County also has wineries that are reaping the benefits of Colorado’s two federally designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Purgatory Cellars Winery (Parker), The Wine Barrel (Parker) and Allis Ranch Winery (Sedalia) use Colorado grapes in crafting their wines.
For Parker City Lifestyle’s exploration of Douglas County wineries, we feature three local vintners that share a dedication to crafting exceptional wines.
Purgatory Cellars Winery, Parker, CO
Purgatory Cellars is a window into a traditional old-world European wine tasting experience. Since April 2015, Marko Copic and his wife Ivanka have brought their Croatian heritage to Parker with a winery that highlights their passion for making high quality wines with Colorado grapes.
The beautiful bar at the front of the tasting room was hand-crafted by Marko in Croatia using reclaimed barrel staves. He transported the bar along with oak barrels and a museum-worthy wine press to Colorado to contribute to the atmosphere at Purgatory Cellars.
The Wine Barrel, Parker, CO
For the last seven and a half years, Cordy and Bob Coady have been pouring wine for the Parker community at their winery on South Twenty Mile Road. The Wine Barrel makes their wine onsite from grape skins and juice imported from all over the world as well as local Colorado vineyards.
“We like to say that we are a micro-winery as a play off the micro-brewery theme. We make wine in small batches,” says Cordy.
With an emphasis on variety and approachability, the owners of The Wine Barrel have created a bright and welcoming atmosphere.
Cordy says, “Sometimes people are intimidated by wine, and we don’t want them to be. We just want them to have fun.”
Allis Ranch Winery, Sedalia, CO
Just a short road trip down I-25 delivers you to the picturesque setting of Allis Ranch Winery. Located on a historic ranch, the white building with red trim that houses the Allis Ranch Winery is a 1910 Sears Catalog home. Yes, in 1910 you could open a Sears Catalog and order a house. All of the materials required would be shipped to you.
It seems appropriate that Sears Catalog buildings are now highly valued for the quality of their craftsmanship, and the winery, founded by David Rhyne in 2007, is focused on quality and craftsmanship for a very select number of wines.
With three wines currently being offered, David takes the time to make sure that they are special. Using traditional techniques and grapes exclusively from Colorado vineyards, David crushes, presses, ages and bottles his wine in the cellar at Allis Ranch Winery.
David calls winemaking a labor of love, passion and honest work. All three Douglas County wineries absolutely agree.