Ticket Sales Open for Expanded ‘Colorado Uncorked’ as State Secures National Recognition

Altitude shapes everything in Colorado-especially our wine. As our state's winemaking regions continue to climb the national stage, the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (CWIDB) invites you to experience the view from the top at Colorado Uncorked. Returning to the History Colorado Center on October 17, this year's event is more than a tasting, it's an invitation to go off the beaten path and explore the standout pours from Colorado's nationally recognized wine regions-including the full, Gold Medal-winning lineup from the 2026 Governor's Cup Wine Competition.

Building on a wave of national momentum, highlighted by Colorado's West Elks AVA securing the #2 spot in the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards for Best Wine Region, this year's Colorado Uncorked event features a major overhaul: for the first time, every Colorado Gold Medal-winning wine from the 2026 Governor's Cup Wine Competition will be invited to pour, offering attendees an unprecedented showcase of the state's finest wines.

"Each year, our judges note the continued rise in quality across Colorado wine. Allowing consumers to sample a broader lineup of our top-rated wines directly benefits both our hard-working wineries and local wine lovers," said Kyle Schlachter, Executive Director of the CWIDB. "Last year 36 Colorado wines received Gold Medals, but only the top 12 Governor's Cup Collection wines participated at the event. Opening the floor to all Colorado Gold Medal winners gives our local producers the full spotlight they deserve."

The Governor's Cup Wine Competition continues to solidify its role as a premier wine competition. The professional judging takes place September 12-13 at Metropolitan State University of Denver's Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center. This year's contest welcomes Texas wineries into the mix alongside returning entrants from Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico.

While out-of-state entrants compete for medals, the coveted Governor's Cup Collection remains exclusively reserved for Colorado wines and represents the absolute "Best of the Best" of Colorado wine. The wines that will make up the 2026 Governor's Cup Collection, as well as the Best in Show winner, will be revealed live during Colorado Uncorked on October 17. Additionally, the CWIDB will announce the inaugural High-Elevation Wine Program awardees, recognizing restaurants and wine bars that support Colorado wine.

Colorado's wine regions are commanding national attention. Moving up four spots from its #6 position in 2025, the West Elks AVA claimed the #2 ranking for Best Wine Region in USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards for 2026, standing alongside world-renowned regions in California, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Colorado wines continue to earn top scores from national wine publications. This year, Wine Enthusiast Magazine published scores for 31 wines from Bookcliff Vineyards, Buckel Family Wines, Carboy Winery, The Ordinary Fellow, and Sutcliffe Vineyards ranging from 90-93 points. JamesSuckling.com, a leading global wine-rating and review website founded by one of the world's most influential and widely read wine critics, reviewed 53 wines from 15 Colorado wineries and found 36 deserving of 90-point ratings or higher. Bookcliff Vineyards and Colterrisled the way, with each earning a top score of 94 points, showing that Colorado wine quality is on par with the best in the world.

To help guide this period of increased national recognition, Governor Jared Polis appointed three prominent industry leaders to the CWIDB in July:

• Melanie Cole (Winery At-Large Representative): Owner of Whitewater Hill Vineyards in Grand Junction, bringing 22 years of award-winning Grand Valley AVA winemaking heritage to the board.
• Logan Silbert (Wholesale Distributor Representative): Founder of Denver-based Few & Far Wine Co., offering hands-on expertise spanning vineyard production, restaurant beverage management, and statewide distribution.
• Caroline Clark (Retailer Representative): Beverage Director for Id Est Hospitality and 2023 MICHELIN Guide Colorado Exceptional Cocktail Award winner, overseeing wine programs across celebrated concepts including Two MICHELIN Star The Wolf's Tailor, One MICHELIN Star BRUTØ, and MICHELIN-recommended Basta.

Driven by prestigious national awards, an expanded multi-state competition, and world-class wine industry leadership at the helm, Colorado's winemaking landscape is reaching unprecedented heights. Colorado Uncorked offers culinary enthusiasts and wine lovers an exclusive, first-hand opportunity to sample the standout bottles shaping the region's future. Tickets, full event details, and competition information are available now at www.coloradowine.com/uncorked.