A special highlight of attending an exhibit opening or other special event at a Museums of Western Colorado site is enjoying a complimentary glass of wine from Whitewater Hill Vineyards. Through the generous sponsorship of Whitewater Hill, Museum patrons and guests regularly enjoy one of 19 different award-winning wines, all made from 100% locally-grown grapes.
“We really admire the Museums of Western Colorado and what they’re doing,” says co-owner Nancy Janes. “We want to do what we can to help, and are happy to support the Museum with the contribution of our wine, and to occasionally have the opportunity to pour at Museum events.”
Whitewater Hill Vineyards is owned by Nancy Janes and John Behrs, who both left the high-tech industry in Boulder in 1998 for 23 acres of vineyard in the Grand Valley. “We were fascinated that you can grow classic European grapes in Colorado. And then it sort of ran away on us…”
By 2004, the husband and wife team were in the wine-making business, with John concentrating on grape growing and Nancy on winemaking. The operation annually produces 100 tons of ten wine grape varieties, selling 70% of its grapes to other winemakers. Whitewater Hill products range in style from full-bodied dry wines to elegant and fruity semi-sweet and dessert wines, retailing for $12-$59 per bottle. The Whitewater Hill Vineyards tasting room is open year-round at 220 32 Road on Orchard Mesa (Grand Junction), and the wines are available at most Grand Valley liquor stores, as well as some in Colorado Springs, Denver and Ft. Collins. Their wines are also available online at www.whitewaterhill.com.
Museums of Western Colorado is proud to have a two-year association with this growing local business and its lovely “hand-grown, handpicked and handcrafted” products, appreciates the generous and warm support, and encourages Museum patrons to stop by Whitewater Hill Vineyards to sample its award-winning wine and say ‘thank you’ for supporting the MWC.