High-Elevation Wine Program Awards

This program recognizes restaurants that truly exemplify the farm-to-table movement by supporting local Colorado wines. We want to recognize both cozy neighborhood bistros and expansive fine-dining cellars for their commitment to Colorado wine, so these awards are not based on raw numbers of wines offered, but by the subjective quality and proportion of Colorado wines available on wine lists.

These awards feature three distinct tiers, recognizing varying levels of commitment to Colorado wine:

The Ascent Award

High-quality Colorado wine integration, worth a stop.

• The Philosophy: The restaurant demonstrates a clear, intentional effort to support local agriculture through its beverage program.
• Curation & Quality: The Colorado wines offered (regardless of quantity) are thoughtfully chosen and represent high-quality winemaking. They are not just an afterthought tacked onto the end of the menu.
• Accuracy: Vintages, producers, and AVAs (like Grand Valley or West Elks) are listed accurately on the menu, showing respect for the producer.
• The Experience: A guest asking for a local wine recommendation is met with enthusiasm and a solid, reliable pairing for their meal.

The Summit Award

Excellence in Colorado wine curation and storytelling, worth a detour.

• The Philosophy: The restaurant acts as an active educator and advocate for the Colorado wine region. The personality of the beverage director shines through the selections.
• Curation & Quality: The list highlights the diversity of the state. It might showcase unique high-altitude varieties (like Teroldego or Albariño), contrast different local microclimates, or feature exciting low-intervention local producers.
• Synergy & Pairing: The staff can confidently explain exactly why a specific Palisade Cabernet Franc pairs perfectly with the locally sourced lamb on the menu.
• The Experience: The front-of-house staff possesses formal knowledge of Colorado’s terroir and can guide guests through the state’s wine landscape with confidence and passion.

The Pinnacle Award

Exceptional dedication to Colorado wine, a definitive destination.

• The Philosophy: The restaurant is a temple to Colorado wine. Dining here provides the ultimate expression of the state’s food and wine culture.
• Curation & Quality: The curation is masterful and exclusive. The program features direct relationships with winemakers, offering guests access to rare library vintages, exclusive single-vineyard micro-lots, or custom collaborations made specifically for the restaurant.
• Service Standards: Colorado wines are treated with the exact same reverence as premier cru Burgundy or classified Bordeaux.
• The Experience: The restaurant elevates the perception of Colorado wine on a national level. It is a bucket-list dining experience for anyone who wants to taste the absolute best of what the state can produce.

The Nomination & Evaluation Process

To ensure the awards reflect both grassroots enthusiasm and strict adherence to the tiered standards, the program relies on an open nomination system followed by a rigorous audit by the Colorado Wine Board.

Step 1: Open Public & Industry Nominations (A “Recommend a Restaurant” Form on the website)

• Who Can Nominate: Anyone can nominate restaurants here. Nominations can come from:
  • Diners & Consumers: Locals and tourists who had a great experience drinking Colorado wine with their meal.
  • The Industry: Colorado winemakers, vineyard managers, and distributors who want to highlight the restaurants that faithfully support their products.
  • Self-Nominations: Sommeliers, beverage directors, and restaurant owners advocating for their own hard work.
• What is Required: The nominator simply provides the restaurant’s name, location, and a brief statement on why their Colorado wine program stands out.

Step 2: The Official Review (Data Gathering)

• Once a restaurant receives a nomination, the Colorado Wine Board reaches out to the establishment to congratulate them on the nomination and invite them to officially enter the evaluation process. This allows the CWIDB to make proactive communications with the restaurants.
• The Submission: To proceed, the restaurant must submit:
  • An up-to-date, dated copy of their current wine list.
  • A brief overview of their staff wine-training program (specifically regarding Colorado AVAs and producers).
  • (Optional but encouraged) Proof of local wine events, such as menus from Colorado winemaker dinners.

Step 3: Determination by the Colorado Wine Board

• The Review Panel: A dedicated committee within the Colorado Wine Board (potentially including board members and industry professionals) reviews all submitted materials.
• Tier Placement: The board does not ask the restaurant to apply for a specific tier. Instead, the board reviews the submitted wine list and training materials against the strict rubrics of the program.
• The Final Call: The Colorado Wine Board retains sole authority to determine the winners. Based on the data, the board will award the restaurant the Ascent, Summit, or Pinnacle Award.