Trade Resources
The Trade Resources page contains links, documents and other tools for grape growers, wineries, wholesalers and retailers to discover, learn about, obtain tools and connect with various facets of the Colorado wine industry.
Official documents pertaining to the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board reside in a separate section and include CWIDB Meeting Minutes, Fiscal Reports and Budgets, as well as adopted Operating Procedures, policy statements and the establishing legislation.
The Research section contains links to Colorado State’s Western Colorado Research Center–Orchard Mesa, that houses the State Viticulturist and Enologist; Economic Impact Studies, Research Proposals and Reports. There is a document library containing Historical Research Documents, where you can search past research reports and related documents to find information on a specific topic.
And under Educational Resources and Promotional Resources you can find a link to the Western Colorado Community College’s Viticulture & Enology Program, The Colorado Grape Growers Guide, marketing toolkits and more.
Brewers Guild
The Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) is a non-profit trade association who promotes and protects the Colorado craft brewing industry. With the majority of the 300 licensed Colorado breweries as members, CBG provides information for Colorado beer lovers, and promotes Colorado craft breweries by advocating for Colorado craft beer with policymakers.
Colorado Cider Guild
The Colorado Cider Guild is an organization for commercial producers of hard cider and perry in Colorado. Its mission is to educate consumers and buyers of craft cider and perry; promote the sale of Colorado made cider and the cultivation of apples for cider production; represent Colorado cider makers with legislative, regulatory, retail and distributional issues in the state.
Colorado Liquor Enforcement Divisions
The mission of the Liquor Enforcement Division is to gain and monitor compliance with Colorado liquor and tobacco laws and regulations through education, outreach, licensing, inspections and enforcement activities in conjunction and cooperation with local and state enforcement officials, local licensing authorities, the industry, advocacy and community groups and the general public.
Colorado Wine Industry Development Board
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board is a semi-independent state board in the Colorado Department of Agriculture created for the purpose of encouraging and promoting agricultural and enological research and experimentation to develop maximum yields and quality from Colorado lands suitable to the production of grapes for commercial wine production, to promote the marketing of wines and wine grapes produced in Colorado, to promote the responsible consumption of all wines, to promote the integration of the Colorado wine industry as a component of the state’s tourism program, and to serve as a resource for the entire wine industry of Colorado.
Board Members
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board of directors represents the wine industry’s breadth both regionally and through its diversity of business models. The Board is composed of 5 winery, 2 wholesaler, 1 grapegrower, 1 retailer, 1 Colorado Tourism Office ex-officio, 1 Colorado State University ex-officio and 1 public ex-officio representatives.
Establishing statutes
The Colorado Legislature created the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) as a Type I board under the auspices of the Colorado Department of Agriculture in 1990 under the Colorado Wine Industry Development Act. Colorado Revised Statutes 35-29.5 provides the legislative purpose behind the CWIDB’s creation, it’s purpose, membership, make-up, funding stream and spending mandates.
- Colorado Administrative Organization Act of 1968 §1, defines a Type 1 Board (24-1-105 CRS)
- Colorado Wine Industry Development Act (35-29.5 CRS)
- Legislative Declaration (§101.5)
- Creation and Members (§103)
- Duties and Powers (§104)
- Use of Monies (§105)
- Colorado Wine Industry Development Fee in the Colorado Liquor Code (12-47-503 CRS)
- Colorado Wine Industry Development Fund, revenue sources described in (¶1), sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) CRS)
Click on the Wine Development Act link below for the full text of the statute.
Meeting Agendas
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) operates in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) (§§ 24-72-203 and 204, C.R.S.) and the Open Meetings Law (§ 24-6-402 C.R.S.). All meetings are open to the public unless an executive session is announced in accordance with the Open Meetings Law (see above link). Every effort will be made to allow remote attendance to all CWIDB meetings using electronic technology when available. In general, the CWIDB uses Uberconference to webcast meetings (click on the link and follow log-in instructions), which also facilitates joining a meeting by phone, 720.515.1880.
Agendas for meetings will be posted on this site no less than 24 hours before all meetings.
Meeting Minutes
Signed minutes from previous meetings of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) will be posted on this website once appoved by the board at the following meeting.
Recordings of meetings are also available upon request. Contact Doug Caskey, executive director, 303.869.9177, for more information.
The CWIDB operates in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) (§§ 24-72-203 and 204, C.R.S.) and the Open Meetings Law (§ 24-6-402 C.R.S.). All meetings are open to the public unless an executive session is announced in accordance with the Open Meetings Law (see above link). Every effort will be made to allow remote attendance to all CWIDB meetings using electronic technology when available. In general, the CWIDB uses Zoom to make meetings accessible to board members and the public regardless of where you are. Please check the specific meeting listing for the Zoom meeting link.
Financial documents
CWIDB Financial Documents include the annual production and market-share report for Colorado wine, Colorado Wine Industry Development Fund fiscal reports with revenue and expenditures, as well as the spending budget adopted by the CWIDB for each fiscal year that runs July through June.
Board member resources
Members of the CWIDB can find useful documents here, such as travel expense reimbursement forms, the CDA tax exempt form, and the EFT form required for direct deposit of payments from the state, that must be accompanied by a signed W-9 form.
CWIDB Documents
This section contains an assortment of documents detailing the operating procedures and other policies adopted by the CWIDB and those from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
Historical resources
Access documents about the history of the Colorado wine industry here.
Viticultural Resources
This section contains resources for Colorado grapegrowers.
Retail Liquor Outlets
Restaurants, bars, liquor stores, wine shops and soon to include liquor-licensed drug stores where consumers find Colorado wines. These include the following trade associations:
- Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, representing independent liquor stores
- Colorado Restaurant Association, representing the over 11,000 dining and food service businesses in Colorado
- The Tavern League of Colorado, representing on-premise beverage operators
Cultivar Camp
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant funded program to provide an educational networking series for the Colorado Wine industry focusing on specific wine grape varieties.
CO Wine Industry Newsletter Articles and Information
The documents and information on this page were originally sent out to the Colorado wine industry in the email newsletters from the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.
If you would like to be added to the Colorado wine industry emailing list, please contact doug.caskey@state.co.us or 303.869.9177.
FSMA Compliance for Wineries and Vineyards
The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 made the most wide-ranging changes to the growing, production and manufacturing of food, which includes beverages such as wine and cider. This section provided resources for both wineries, subject to the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, and grape-growers, under the Produce Safety Rule.
FSMA Produce Safety Rule for Grape-Growers
FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food (Wineries)
Business Development Presentations
Business Development Partners
COVID-19 Resources
Responsible Server Training
The CO Wine Industry Development Board offers the TIPS Responsible Server Training in both in-person and live-streamed versions. Please contact Doug Caskey for more information on these trainings, doug.caskey@state.co.us or 303.869.9177.
Phillips-Rhodes Grant
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) created an educational grant program available to current members of the Colorado wine industry or to students in Colorado post-secondary programs focusing on viticulture or enology to advance the development of the Colorado Wine and Grape Industry. The CWIDB created this program in memory of two prominent pioneers of the Colorado wine industry, Doug Phillips and Steve Rhodes.
The purpose of the Phillips-Rhodes Memorial Grant is to encourage members of the Colorado wine and grape industries or Colorado college, graduate-level, or post-secondary vocational training students committed to the Colorado wine and grape industries to pursue training, or educational opportunities that will advance the Colorado wine and grape industries. Such opportunities might be in grape-growing, water management, winemaking, marketing, business management, liquor code compliance, safety, or any field closely related to and beneficial for the Colorado wine and grape industries.
For fiscal year 2021, running through June 30, 2021, the program may award up to $6000 for scholarships to pursue post-secondary degrees or professional certificates in viticulture, enology, or subjects closely related and beneficial to the Colorado wine industry, as well as workshops, seminars, or short courses in appropriate topics.
The amount of awards will depend on the number of grants selected for the award cycle based on the review committee’s evaluation process, but will fall between $250 and $3000. The CWIDB reserves the right not to award any money during an award cycle. The Review Committee designated by the CWIDB will make recommendations for awards to the full CWIDB, who will approve the final awards.
The CWIDB does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, religion, gender, or physical/mental disabilities.
Honoring:
- Doug Phillips, founder of Plum Creek Cellars in 1984, originally in Larkspur. Doug was one of the very early adopters of the Colorado Grown message and recognized the need for quality grape-growing to make quality wine. So he moved his operation to the Grand Valley and planted many grapes along G Road, on East Orchard Mesa as well as in the West Elks. He was instrumental in writing and passing the Colorado Wine Industry Development Act in 1990 and served as the Wine Board’s first chair until 1998. And he was the visionary behind the Colorado Mountain Winefest.
- Steve Rhodes, an accomplished cellist, spent his formative early adult years in a California wine cellar. He returned to Colorado to take over the family’s farm and planted grapes on the slopes of the West Elks AVA between Hotchkiss and Paonia. Winemaking for Steve was as much about magic and passion as it was about science, but “he always had some mighty fine wine.” He spread the bounty of Colorado wine to restaurants in Aspen and liquor stores along the Front Range one case at a time, and over time he created a very loyal and extremely enthusiastic following for S. Rhodes Vineyards.
The families and estates of Doug Phillips and Steve Rhodes are not involved in and derive no fiscal benefit in any way from this grant program. It is intended solely to memorialize the contributions both people made to growing and improving the Colorado wine industry and to honor their memories.
CAVE
Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology
Colorado wine industry’s private trade association and the producer of The Colorado Mountain Winefest the third Saturday of every September in Grand Junction and Palisade, Colorado.
WineAmerica
The national association of American wineries
With more than 600 members, WineAmerica serves the interests of wineries in all 50 states by leveraging its formidable grassroots lobbying strength to benefit the entire industry. Besides offering policy guidance and government affairs advocacy for the national wine industry, WineAmerica also provides member discounts for UPS shipping, TiPS responsible server training, ShipCompliant direct-to-consumer compliance services, and some of the best labeling and COLA advice available anywhere.
Additionally, WineAmerica’s advocacy activities on the federal level have saved small wineries lots of money over the years when they have successfully lobbied for reduced excise taxes and more. These cost savings more than make up for the membership fees.
Business development / Covid-19 Info
Resources to assist in developing, growing, and running your business.
Government links
Link to various wine-related government websites here.
Presentations
Access videos and presentations here.
Promotional Resources
This page houses information pertaining to Colorado Wine promotional materials, and is intended to give Colorado wineries and retailers easy access to all the tools needed to use materials that will help them grow their businesses.
CO Wine Board
The Colorado Wine Industry Development Board is a semi-independent state board in the Colorado Department of Agriculture created for the purpose of encouraging and promoting agricultural and enological research and experimentation to develop maximum yields and quality from Colorado lands suitable to the production of grapes for commercial wine production, to promote the marketing of wines and wine grapes produced in Colorado, to promote the responsible consumption of all wines, to promote the integration of the Colorado wine industry as a component of the state’s tourism program, and to serve as a resource for the entire wine industry of Colorado.
Promotional materials
The Colorado Wine Board has compiled a range of useful resources and documents to assist you in promoting the wine industry. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, please contact us for assistance.
Research
Access items like Annual Reports, Economic Impact Studies, and more. These resources provide an in-depth look at the research activities designed to advance your business.
2022 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Educational Resources
This section is filled with information for winery owners, wine grape growers, winemakers, tasting room staff and others related to the Colorado wine industry.
Pest Mitigation and Invasive Species
Training material
We have number of resources about the Colorado wine industry to support members of the wine trade in your role as buyers, sellers, promoters and educators.
2014 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Colorado Wine Board (CWIDB)
Access Meeting Agendas, Meeting Minutes and Financial Reports related to the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.
Economic and market studies
Access Consumer Surveys, Economic Impact Studies, and the annual production and market share report for the Colorado Wine Industry.
Wine Industry Impact
Access documents related to the impact of the Colorado Wine Industry.
2015 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Viticultural & Enology research
New! Colorado Grape Growers’ Website
viticulture.colostate.edu
Access Colorado State University Viticultural and Enology Research Page by clicking above.
Annual Research Reports are below.
Annual Quarterly and Progress Reports
Access Annual and Quarterly Reports related to the Western Colorado Research Center.
2016 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Western Colorado Community College
WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Viticulture Resources and Information
View documents from 2014 and before pertaining to viticultural practices and information.
Colorado State University
CSU is accepting applications for the Extension Viticulture Specialist position through March 14, 2022. Click here to view the position description.
CSU Western Colorado Research Center
Colorado State University’s Viticulture and Enology Programs are housed at
Western Colorado Research Center – Orchard Mesa
3168 B 1/2 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81503
Dr. Horst Caspari, State Viticulturist, 970.434.3264 (x204), horst.caspari@colostate.edu
Click here to go to CSU Viticulture Research page.
Dr. Stephen Menke, State Enologist, retired, Stephen.Menke@colostate.edu
Annual Reports from the CSU Viticulture and Enology Research are shown below.
2017 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Technical Reports
View technical reports to the Colorado wine industry from CSU’s Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa and other sources.
Historical Research
A compilation of historical research documents prior to 2014. Use the search feature to find specific topics. Use the “Sort by” pull-down menu to view by date of the document or by title.
Research Reports
View reports of viticultural research performed at CSU’s Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa.
2018 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Project Proposals
Read the project proposals submitted to the CWIDB.
Partner Organizations
The Colorado Wine industry relies heavily on the support, the resources and cooperation from these partner organizations. We are grateful to them.
2019 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
2020 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
2021 CWIDB Meeting Minutes
Media and Miscellaneous
This section contains publications from the early 1990s Colorado wine industry as well as an assortment of student theses and reports.
The CDA Noxious Weed program is working to elevate this species (Ailanthus altissima) from an invasive species watch list to …
Tree of Heaven invasive plant and favored host of the Spotted Lanternfly
The CDA Noxious Weed program is working to elevate this species (Ailanthus altissima) from an invasive species watch list to a regulated list (C) to stop the sale and spread. This is a preferred host plant for the spotted lanternfly. Eliminating it’s prevalence could slow the spread of the SLF. See the “What You Can Do” section of the APHIS SLF page.
This report comes from NC State University. Colorado is squarely in the path of the potential spread from SLF’s current …
Spotted Lanternfly may spread to CA by 2027
This report comes from NC State University. Colorado is squarely in the path of the potential spread from SLF’s current infestation area to California. Please exercise caution.
This is a recording of the webinar presented from CSU’s Western Colorado Campus at Orchard Mesa with representatives from the …
Soil Health for Vineyards and Orchards Webinar Recording, 2022 March 4
This is a recording of the webinar presented from CSU’s Western Colorado Campus at Orchard Mesa with representatives from the CO Dept. of Ag’s Soil Health Program, using the STAR and STAR+ programs for growers to evaluate and improve the health of their soil. Assistance is provided by the Colorado Conservation Districts.
The webinar includes presentations on the principles of soil health from CSU State Viticulturist Dr. Horst Caspari as well as from the The Regenerative Recovery Coalition Manager Jane Allen and from James Beard Foundation Award winner, former chef, and executive director of Zero Foodprint.
Other resources for the importance of soil health include:
-
Read more about the Economics of Soil Health Systems here.
-
A great article from the Colorado Sun about Grand Valley farmer Lowell King’s embrace of regenerative agriculture, including reducing his water use while growing more crops, click on the photo above.
Growing Produce article including a great slide show with an important map that identifies areas in the US with the …
Myths about the Spotted Lanternfly Debunked
Growing Produce article including a great slide show with an important map that identifies areas in the US with the highest suitability for the spotted lanternfly. Just because Colorado is low to unsuitable, does not mean we can let down our guard.
Strategies and resources for businesses to help stop the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly.
Includes tools for inspection, reporting, and control.
Representatives from the Colorado Dept. of Revenue demonstrated the newly rolled out Sales & Use Tax System (SUTS) which fulfills …
Webinar: CO Dept. of Revenue Sales and Use Tax System Demo and Overview
Representatives from the Colorado Dept. of Revenue demonstrated the newly rolled out Sales & Use Tax System (SUTS) which fulfills the statutory mandate for on-line tools for destination sourcing sales tax collections on Monday, May 10, 2021.
The webinar included demonstrations by the system vendors on how a business can file their sales and use taxes for a number of jurisdictions, including the home rule municipalities that have joined the SUTS program; and on how to identify the location code that brings up all the tax rates for a particular address.
The questions submitted before the seminar can be viewed with brief answers by clicking here.
CAVE and the CWIDB welcomed Pierre Costa for a webinar on Monday, April 26, 2021 that explored digital channels that …
Webinar with Pierre Costa: Finding Customers through TripAdvisor
CAVE and the CWIDB welcomed Pierre Costa for a webinar on Monday, April 26, 2021 that explored digital channels that can bring customers to your winery doorstep. It starts with an overview of the digital marketing environment and then presents a hands-on demonstration of setting a campaign on TripAdvisor. We will present a practical example about targeting the right audience, creating your own ads using Canva, set up your budget and how to track it on your Google Analytics.
After Pierre’s presentation, Harvest Hosts will give an overview of their program that matches RV drivers and campers with wineries and vineyards for low-impact overnight stays. The average guest spends more than $50 with the host winery.
Pierre Costa is based in Napa Valley, California and has an exotic mix of digital marketing and wine experience. He founded SommDigital, a consulting firm that develops and implements innovative digital marketing strategies specializing in wineries. He also lectures at Sonoma State University on Strategic Marketing, Wine E-commerce and Digital Marketing. Before he moved to Napa, he spent over five years working with Digital Media Agencies in London (England) and Dublin (Ireland) managing the digital marketing of large corporate accounts including Bank of Ireland and eircom (telecom). He spent 10 years working in the wine industry in high knowledge positions including head sommelier for star Michelin restaurant Bon Appetit in Dublin (Ireland) and Café Journal in Brazil along with finance and marketing roles with Inglenook winery, Delicato Family Wines, and Naked Wines. He is known for having a fantastic palate which was proven when he won the 2014 Top Taster blind wine tasting competition at Flavor! Napa Valley. He holds a MIT Digital Marketing Analytics Certificate, Masters degree in Electronic Business from University College Dublin and an Honors degree in Mathematics from UNESP. Pierre is a passionate Star Wars fan and enjoys archery and meditation.
Meg Maker, with terroirreview.com, presented this seminar on April 5, 2021 for the Colorado wine industry, subtitled “Updating your winery …
Media Matters Webinar with Meg Maker
Meg Maker, with terroirreview.com, presented this seminar on April 5, 2021 for the Colorado wine industry, subtitled “Updating your winery website to help journalists tell your story.”
This document contains information on the Phillips-Rhodes Memorial Grant program for Fiscal Year 2021 as well as a link to …
Phillips-Rhodes Memorial Grant Overview and Application
This document contains information on the Phillips-Rhodes Memorial Grant program for Fiscal Year 2021 as well as a link to the application form. Contact doug.caskey@state.co.us if you need assistance or have questions.
(118.30 KB)
Dr. Horst Caspari, CSU State Viticulturist, presented this seminar to the industry on February 22, 2021. Click on the link …
Strategies to Retrain Cold Damaged Vines
Dr. Horst Caspari, CSU State Viticulturist, presented this seminar to the industry on February 22, 2021.
Click on the link to view the seminar and enter password #0qFA$WE.
Presented jointly by CAVE and the CWIDB, a half-day webinar on labor matters critical for small businesses. Our guest speakers …
Labor Matters Webinar for the CO Wine Industry on Feb 1, 2021
Presented jointly by CAVE and the CWIDB, a half-day webinar on labor matters critical for small businesses. Our guest speakers include:
- Courtney Berg, founder of CourtSide Consulting, an HR consulting firm for small business, certified small business consultant, and trainer with the Colorado SBDC
- Mike Kohler with the Elevate Training Program for Larimer County
- and Amanda Ericson, HRx Services, who provides HR support for small businesses through her own consulting business and through Larimer County. She is the State Director of the CO Society for Human Resource Management.
This link will take you to the 25 minute mark, the start of the webinar.
Click on this link to view the study’s page on the CSU Climate Center’s website. Or you can read more …
CSU Climate Center Study of Wine Grape Growing in Colorado
Click on this link to view the study’s page on the CSU Climate Center’s website. Or you can read more details on pages 22-37 of the 2020 Annual Report for the CSU Viticulture and Enology Programs for the Colorado Wine Industry. This research is conducted by the CSU Climate Center, by the State Climatologist Russ Schumacher and Peter Goble, climate research associate, in collaboration with State Viticulturist Horst Caspari. Click on the graphic below to go to CSU’s Climate Center’s website.
Click here for more information on the two-year Associate’s degree or Technical Certificate options that Western Colorado Community College offers …
WCCC’s Viticulture & Enology Program
Click here for more information on the two-year Associate’s degree or Technical Certificate options that Western Colorado Community College offers in Viticulture & Enology,
CSU State Viticulturist Dr. Horst Caspari delivered this update and report from his initial assessment of bud and vine damage …
Cold Damage 2020 Update with Dr. Horst Caspari
CSU State Viticulturist Dr. Horst Caspari delivered this update and report from his initial assessment of bud and vine damage from the extreme cold events in Western Colorado in late October 2020, with comparisons to the October 2019 cold events.
Click here for the link to the Washington State Extension publication, “Assessing and Managing Cold Damage in Washington Vineyards,” which Miranda and Horst mentioned during the call.
Training for Intervention ProcedureS, created by Health Communications, Inc., is one of the curricula approved by the Colorado Liquor Enforcement …
TIPS Responsible Server Training Information
Training for Intervention ProcedureS, created by Health Communications, Inc., is one of the curricula approved by the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division to fulfill the Responsible Vendor Requirement and to authorize supplier employees to pour samples at an in-store tasting in a liquor store or liquor-licensed drug store. Click on the links below to view the State’s Responsible Vendor Information site and Regulation 47-605.
Please note, the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division will not accept the on-line trainings offered by TIPS or any other service. Only an in-person or live-streamed training with a certified trainer is acceptable to meet the Responsible Vendor requirement.
Contact Doug Caskey for more information on the TIPS training with an emphasis on wineries: doug.caskey@state.co.us or 303.869.9177.
The digital ID available on mycolorado.state.co.us is a state-approved form of proof of identification and age for the purchase of …
CO Digital ID Information
The digital ID available on mycolorado.state.co.us is a state-approved form of proof of identification and age for the purchase of alcohol. Please read this document to learn how to validate the digital ID.
(1.89 MB)
Doug Caskey, CWIDB executive director, conducted a two-part video seminar on the basics of wine and wine tasting, with a …
Wine 102 seminar for the 2020 Colorado State Fair, the Tasting
Doug Caskey, CWIDB executive director, conducted a two-part video seminar on the basics of wine and wine tasting, with a follow-up tasting of two Colorado wines, featuring the winemakers:
- Carlson Vineyards (Palisade) Laughing Cat Grand Valley Riesling
with winemaker Garrett Portra - The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey (Cañon City) Colorado Merlot
with winemaker Jeff Stultz