Frequently Asked Questions

Cold-hardy varieties like Marquette, Frontenac, and La Crescent survive Colorado's freezing winters and short growing seasons where traditional vinifera grapes fail. These hybrids produce distinct flavor profiles unavailable in warmer wine regions. Estate-grown cold-hardy grapes allow LaNoue DuBois to produce wine entirely from Montrose vineyards despite high-altitude conditions.

Tastings take place in a wood-finished tasting room built with materials from the family farm, featuring samples of estate wines made from cold-hardy varieties. Guests can request optional tours of the production floor during their visit. Patio seating overlooks the San Juan Mountains for those who want to enjoy wines outside.

Most Colorado wineries cluster near Grand Junction or the Front Range where conditions suit traditional grapes. Montrose's elevation, freeze cycles, and shorter season require cold-hardy varieties that few vintners work with. LaNoue DuBois specializes in these estate-grown hybrids, filling a gap between Telluride and Delta.

The winery grows cold-hardy grape varieties on-site rather than sourcing fruit from warmer regions, resulting in wines that reflect Montrose terroir. Sustainable farming practices and estate control from vine to bottle ensure consistency. The 2025 Colorado Wine of the Year award confirms quality despite the challenging high-altitude growing environment.

Production floor tours are available upon request during tasting room visits. Guests see where estate grapes are processed, fermented, and aged. Tours provide insight into cold-climate winemaking techniques adapted for Colorado's short growing season and temperature swings.

Members receive access to estate wines and exclusive releases not available to the public, made from cold-hardy varieties grown on-site. The club connects locals and returning visitors to new vintages throughout the year. Membership supports a family-run winery practicing sustainable farming in a region with few wineries.

Sustainable practices maintain soil health and vine resilience critical for cold-hardy varieties facing Colorado freeze-thaw cycles. Reduced chemical inputs allow terroir characteristics to express more clearly in the finished wine. Estate control from farming through bottling ensures consistency between vineyard decisions and wine outcomes.

The tasting room features wood finishes sourced from the family farm, creating a connection to the estate's agricultural roots. Interior tastings allow conversation with staff about cold-hardy winemaking. Patio seating offers San Juan Mountain views for guests preferring an outdoor experience with their wine.

The club serves both locals and returning visitors, providing ongoing access to exclusive releases between trips to the area. Members stay connected to new vintages from estate-grown cold-hardy grapes. Wine club participation supports a small family winery in a region with limited wine production infrastructure.

Cold-hardy hybrids develop different acid structures, tannin profiles, and aromatic compounds due to their genetic makeup and adaptation to short seasons. Varieties like Marquette offer darker fruit notes, while Frontenac adds tartness uncommon in vinifera wines. These flavor differences reflect both grape genetics and high-altitude Colorado growing conditions.