January 22, 2026 — The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE) proudly concluded its annual VinCO Conference and Trade Show, held January 20–22, 2026, at the Grand Junction Convention Center. As Colorado’s premier grape growing and winemaking conference, VinCO once again brought together viticulture and enology professionals from across the state and country for three days of education, collaboration, and celebration.
The 2026 conference featured more than 25 expert speakers, offering a diverse and robust educational program tailored to the evolving needs of Colorado’s wine industry. Attendees participated in in-depth sessions covering fermentation science, winemaking techniques, vineyard management and pruning, barrel aging, legislative updates, and industry trends. The conference also included interactive panel discussions, educational wine tastings, and targeted seminars designed to provide both practical knowledge and strategic insight.
“VinCO continues to be a cornerstone event for Colorado’s wine community,” said Cassidee Shull, Executive Director of CAVE. “The level of engagement, shared expertise, and genuine collaboration we saw this year speaks to the strength and resilience of our industry. This conference is about more than education — it’s about building relationships and shaping the future of Colorado wine together.”
A highlight of the conference was the Awards of Excellence, where CAVE members gathered to recognize individuals and businesses whose dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on the Colorado wine industry. The 2025 award recipients are:
- Winery of the Year: Aspen Peak Cellars
- Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry: Richard McDonald
- Grape Grower of the Year: Kaibab Sauvage
These honorees exemplify excellence, innovation, and service, and their contributions continue to elevate Colorado’s reputation as a dynamic and growing wine region.
CAVE extends its gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who made the 2026 VinCO Conference and Trade Show a success. Planning is already underway for next year’s event as CAVE remains committed to supporting education, advocacy, and growth within Colorado’s viticulture and enology community.
Grape Grower of the Year – Kaibab Sauvage
Kaibab Sauvage has been named the 2025 Colorado Grape Grower of the Year in recognition of his lasting contributions to the state’s wine industry. Beginning in the early 2000s as a grower for BookCliff Vineyards, Kaibab quickly earned a reputation for listening to growers and working collaboratively alongside winemakers. He soon founded Colorado Vineyard Specialists and has consistently produced high-quality grapes that have helped define Colorado wine. Over the past decade—marked by significant challenges for grape growers statewide—Kaibab has demonstrated exceptional leadership by pioneering new varietals in both vinifera and hybrid plantings. His grapes have been the foundation of numerous award-winning wines, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of Colorado viticulture.
Aspen Peak Cellars – Winery of the Year
Aspen Peak Cellars has been named the 2025 Colorado Winery of the Year in recognition of the extraordinary vision Marcel and Julie have brought to life. Together, they have created a winery that truly embodies the spirit of Colorado wine, one defined by resilience, creativity, and genuine hospitality. Aspen Peak Cellars offers a distinctive and memorable experience that is fun, welcoming, and deeply rooted in community, leaving a lasting impression on every guest. Their passion and dedication continue to elevate Colorado wine, making Aspen Peak Cellars a deserving recipient of this honor.
Richard McDonald – Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry
The Colorado wine community proudly recognizes Richard McDonald as the 2025 Friend of the Colorado Wine Industry. One of Colorado’s few Australian winemakers, Richard brings a global perspective shaped by early experience with the Dave Phinney winemaking family in California, best known for The Prisoner. In 2018, he relocated to Colorado to serve as Head Winemaker at BookCliff Vineyards for two years, followed by extensive work with Rio Grande Winery in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Just prior to the pandemic, he and his wife Aly founded Colorado Vintners Collective, creating a collaborative hub for winemaking, education, and community on the Western Slope. In 2023, he further expanded his impact by receiving a USDA grant to launch Grand Valley Enology, improving access to winery analysis in the region, while also debuting his personal label, Cliff Dweller Wines. His dedication to collaboration, innovation, and regional growth makes him so deserving of this award.
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, 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.
