January 24, 2025 – The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE) recently concluded its highly anticipated VinCO & WCHS Conference and Trade Show, held January 21-23 at the Grand Junction Convention Center. As the region’s premier grape growing and winemaking conference, VinCO brought together industry professionals from across the country for an inspiring three-day event.
This year’s conference featured over 25 expert speakers who covered various topics essential to the wine and grape growing community. Presentations included in-depth sessions on fermentation, winemaking, pruning, barrel aging, legislation, and more. Additionally, VinCO hosted engaging panel discussions, educational wine tastings, and numerous seminars designed to provide valuable insights for attendees.
“We are thrilled to have brought together such a dynamic group of experts and professionals this year. The energy and collaboration at VinCO are truly remarkable,” said Cassidee Shull, Executive Director of CAVE. “This conference serves as a vital platform for education and networking, strengthening the future of Colorado’s wine industry and supporting its growth on both a local and national level.”
The pinnacle of the event was the Awards of Excellence, where CAVE members nominated and recognized outstanding contributions to the Colorado wine industry. The 2024 awards honored the following recipients:
Grape Grower of the Year / Hillary & Casey Eales
In 2014, Hilary and Casey Eales moved to the area with a passion for helping others and a strong work ethic. Hilary, an EMT turned winemaker, and Casey, a nurse anesthetist, embarked on their winemaking journey when Hilary started at Meadery of the Rockies and later became a winemaker at Talon Winery. After six years of honing her craft, the couple seized the opportunity to purchase a neglected winery on West Orchard Mesa. They restored the property and introduced BioDynamic farming practices, incorporating livestock to help revitalize the vineyard. Together, they established Fermentation Collaborations, which they’ve successfully operated for four years, and Mafia Princess Wines, founded three years ago. Their projects focus on creativity and quality, producing wines from both vinifera and hybrid grapes. While Casey balances his nursing career with vineyard management, Hilary dedicates herself entirely to winemaking and running the tasting room. Through their hard work and innovative approach, Hilary and Casey are making a name for themselves in the local winemaking community, blending traditional techniques with modern practices to craft exceptional wines.
LaNoue DuBois Winery / Winery of the Year
The winery’s story traces back to the early 1900s when the Woods family settled in Montrose, initially farming cattle and alfalfa. In 2001, Ralph and Ruby Woods planted grapes on a small portion of the farm, and in 2008, the vineyard was passed on to Rick and Kathy LaNoue. A decade later, their son Lee took over after completing his Viticulture and Enology Program through Colorado Mesa University, driving the vineyard’s transition to focus on cold-resistant, disease-resistant hybrid varieties like Marechal Foch and Frontenac. Lee’s dedication to promoting these hybrids has positioned LaNoue DuBois as a pioneer in the region’s wine scene, especially for those seeking non-traditional wines. The winery emphasizes sustainable farming, utilizing solar-powered irrigation, hand-weeding, and avoiding herbicides and pesticides. Their picturesque tasting room, built in part by the family, offers a stunning view of the San Juan mountains and showcases their estate-grown wines alongside award-winning offerings from Colorado and Washington. Known for their presence at local festivals and growing distribution, LaNoue DuBois educates consumers about hybrid varieties and the potential of Colorado wines. This combination of innovation, family legacy, and sustainability has earned LaNoue DeBois the recognition of Winery of the Year.
Juliann Adams / Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry
This year’s Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry Award was presented to Juliann Adams, a dedicated individual whose contributions to Colorado’s wine industry span across various facets. Starting as an amateur winemaker, Adams has evolved into a successful commercial winemaker, continuing to make a significant impact in her “retirement” by leading workshops and hosting events to elevate other amateur winemakers. Beyond her accomplishments as a winemaker, Adams has been an unwavering advocate for the industry. She volunteers on numerous boards and committees, including CAVE, the Palisade Tourism Advisory Board, and the LED Rulemaking and Liquor Advisory Group. In 2023, she played a pivotal role in collaborating with a group of stakeholders to incorporate agritourism into Mesa County’s Land Development Code, allowing wineries, farms, and orchards to enhance the economic viability of their operations. Adams is known for her passionate and dedicated work on behalf of Colorado’s wine industry. Adams is recognized for her strong network within the wine industry, connecting amateur winemakers, growers, and commercial winemakers, and is always eager to offer guidance, support, and foster meaningful collaborations.
About CAVE
The Colorado Association for Viticulture and Enology (CAVE) is the only non-profit dedicated to promoting the education and research of winemaking and grape growing in Colorado. Each year, CAVE produces Colorado Mountain Winefest, the state’s largest wine festival – and named Best Wine Festival in the Nation by USA Today in 2017. Mountain Winefest takes place the third weekend in September in Palisade, CO. More information on Winefest can be found at www.ColoradoWinefest.com.
