This week’s round-up proves that the most exciting wine stories are happening well outside the traditional hubs. Colorado is making a big digital push with a brand-new statewide app to connect drinkers with local bottles, while global giant LVMH is changing tactics by selling its Chandon India winery to a domestic producer. Up in Idaho, a group of retired executives is putting serious capital behind a massive new estate, humorously calling it a project to “mess up their retirement.” Combined with a fascinating look at Utah’s revived desert wine trail and a spectacular night out at Marché Moderne, wine tourism is having a major moment.
Press Release – Colorado Wine Industry Launches First-Ever Statewide Consumer App
In this Press Release, Colorado’s wine industry announced the launch of the Drink Colorado Wine app, described as the first statewide consumer platform built specifically to connect users with Colorado wineries, wine events, and regional wine travel. The app is designed to function as a year-round discovery tool, with winery directories, interactive maps, digital passports, tasting tracking, event updates, and rewards, while also serving as 
the official event platform for CAVE festivals and seasonal campaigns. A notable feature is the integration of Colorado Cru, which highlights selected top-tier wines inside the app. From the article:
The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE) has officially launched the Drink Colorado Wine app, the first-ever statewide digital platform dedicated entirely to discovering, experiencing, and engaging with Colorado wine.
Beyond events, the platform functions year-round as a searchable winery directory, helping users discover new destinations, plan trips, and engage more deeply with Colorado wine country.
The Drinks Business – LVMH Sells Indian Winery
In this The Drinks Business article, Ron Emler reports that LVMH is ending local wine production in India after more than a decade, with Sula Vineyards set to acquire the Chandon India winery in Nashik for 200 million rupees, about US$2.16 million. The site covers 19 acres, currently produces about 450,000 litres, can be expanded to 1.3 million litres, and includes a visitor center and banqueting facilities. From the article:
Having expanded over the years to establish Chandon wineries in Argentina, California, Brazil, Australia, and China, Moet Et Chandon, the LVMH wine and spirits division, is ending local wine production in India after more than a decade.
This marks a change from the drive by global drinks groups to establish local production in India to appeal to the vastly growing segment of the population looking for quality drinks with an Indian stamp.
In this BoiseDev article, Kara Jackson reports that retired Micron executive Joel Poppen and former One Stone executive director Teresa Poppen are preparing to open Gem 73 Winery in Idaho’s Sunnyslope region this summer, partnering with vineyard owners Jay and Shelly Hawkins. The project is substantial by local standards, centered on a 15,500-square-foot winery in Caldwell with a tasting room, event space, production facility, and a strong hospitality angle built around connection and a relaxed “third space.” With Greg Koenig as winemaker and a 62-acre estate vineyard planted mostly to red varieties, the story is not just about another tasting room opening; it is about experienced professionals from outside wine making a serious, well-capitalized bet on Idaho wine tourism. From the article, and this may be one of the best quotes I’ve ever read:
“We retired, and we’ve been longtime wine drinkers and travelers to wineries, largely in Washington, California, and Oregon, but anywhere we traveled. One of the things about people who collect wine and drink wine is that they dream about starting their own winery,” Joel said. “Most people get smart and decide it’s a bad idea, but we didn’t get that far. We actually decided it would be a fun new project to mess up our retirement.”
Priceless!
The Poppens’ friends, Jay and Shelly Hawkins, planted Lanae Ridge Vineyard in Sunnyslope in 2016, and they began visiting the vineyard, where they were taken aback by the beautiful view.
“We started going out there and sitting on the deck of the old house that was there, drinking wine, looking at the vineyard, and thinking, ‘This is an incredible view of all the places that we’ve been, and it’d be a great place for a winery,’” Joel said.
Utah Office of Tourism – Where Desert Meets Vine: Exploring Southern Utah’s Wineries
In this Visit Utah feature, Melissa Fields highlights the Utah Wine Trail, a six-winery route in far southwestern Utah positioned within an hour of St. George, Zion-area travel, and several state and national park stops. Fields argues that Southern Utah wine is less novelty than emerging niche, pointing to the region’s 37th-parallel latitude, volcanic soils, and large day-night temperature swings as reasons the area can support serious viticulture. The story’s real appeal for wine travelers is that these are mostly tiny, owner-driven wineries producing fewer than 2,000 cases a year, which makes the trail feel more personal. From the article:
The oldest of the Utah Wine Trail wineries, I/G Winery, opened in 2012. But Utah’s winemaking tradition began much earlier. Pioneer horticulturists transplanted the first wine grape vines in Southern Utah around 1850. Hearing about how well the vines fared, then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young, sent members of his flock to the area to launch a wine mission. Southern Utah’s viticulture grew, becoming an important commodity for residents who traded wine with farmers from the northern half of the state for produce not easily grown in the desert, like potatoes and wheat. Around the turn of the century however, Mormons became more involved in the temperance movement. Church guidelines that had previously been focused on moderate alcohol consumption swayed toward teetotaling, eventually leading to abandonment of the LDS Church’s winemaking project.
But as Micheal Jackson, owner of Zion Vineyards in Leeds, attests “Southern Utah is at the 37th parallel, the same latitude as Spain, Italy and Greece,” all areas well-known for producing fantastic wine. Like those more famous European winemaking regions, Southwest Utah’s volcanic soils and sizable diurnal shift, or daily temperature swings (often as much as 30 degrees), coalesce to create a surprisingly apt environment for wine making grapes to grow. And for visitors, the Utah Wine Trail provides an unexpected and worthwhile addition to Southern Utah’s ever-growing list of things to do.
There you go, a bit of history with your wine news! Cheers.
The R. Stuart Winery was founded by Maria and Rob Stuart with the idea that wine should be approachable, food-friendly, and bring people together. In fact, the running theme behind Rob Stuart’s brand is that wine is a catalyst for community and friendship.
The label on their Big Fire wine sums this vision up best:
“Years ago, we had a dream that started as a little spark and eventually grew into a big fire…. At R. Stuart, the wines are really about people. The people who lovingly grow the grapes, the people who work alongside us at the winery, and the people you’ll gather around the table to enjoy them with.”
Oregon Chardonnays like this bottle of 2020 Adelsheim Chardonnay from winemaker Gina Hennin is the perfect example of why more and more Burgundy houses are snapping up vineyards throughout the state. Unlike some Chardonnays produced in warmer climes like Napa Valley, the wines from Oregon have a light touch and an elegant profile and are frankly a joy to sip.
Marché Moderne Experience and Review
Chefs Florent and Amelia Marneau deliver an unforgettable fine-dining experience at Orange County’s premier Marché Moderne. This popular destination offers elevated, unapologetically decadent French cuisine, flawlessly paired with exceptional wines. With incredibly attentive service and luxurious dishes, it is the perfect date-night spot. Just book your reservation well in advance!
Corkage Fee: $35 Per Bottle / Max 4
Falkner Winery & The Pinnacle Restaurant
Perched high above Temecula Valley on Falkner’s hilltop, Pinnacle combines sweeping panoramic views with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and award-winning Falkner wines. Settle into the glass-lined dining room or the outdoor terrace and linger over a long, relaxed lunch surrounded by vineyards and open sky.