Home to about 75% of Colorado’s wineries, Grand Valley, west of Grand Junction at 4,700 feet, has some of the highest vineyards in the world. It also has a unique microclimate and terrain. The valley, running east-west, was carved out by rivers, leaving the deep canyons and sharp escarpments that border the appellation. This landscape allows for superior air drainage, reducing the frost risk at this high elevation. During the growing season, the region enjoys hot and dry days, with a good amount of sunshine hours. Nighttime temperatures drop rapidly, allowing the grapes to maintain high acidity, which is essential to quality wine production. Winter temperatures are quite mild, often above the freezing mark. The history of viticulture here goes back to the late 1800s. Governor George A. Crawford planted a 60-acre vineyard here in 1890, and by 1910 the state had over 1,000 growers, most of them located in the Grand Valley region.