Sutcliffe Vineyard

Sutcliffe Vineyards identifies itself with one key mantra, “We grow wine, and we live wine.” The estate and twenty-two organically farmed acres is overseen by three quality- obsessed farmers who meticulously farm, harvest, and vinify. This approach allows the vineyard to ensure quality from conception to bottling. The phrase “farm to table” has taken over the Colorado community, as well as much of the food culture in the United States. This is not a new concept to Sutcliffe Vineyards. It is the way Sutcliffe wines have, and will always be made. This attention to detail and commitment to quality wines is probably the reason Sutcliffe Vineyards is Wine Spectator’s most highly regarded producer from the southwest to date. Wine Maker Joe Buckel (former head of Chardonnay & Pinot Noir production at Flowers and Assistant Wine Maker at Rutz Cellars) picks grapes on acid levels in conjunction with brix (grape sugars) to guarantee wines of balance and food- friendliness. He open-top ferments each wine so that the wines are not “shocked” by air once the cork is pulled. The vast majority of Sutcliffe’s vines have been planted on their own rootstock, because Phylloxera is not prevalent at McElmo Canyon’s climate or elevation. Sutcliffe is a small vineyard that takes great pride in defining themselves as Colorado farmers doing the seemingly impossible . . . making great wines!