Colorado Legislature Honors Doug Phillips

There are a handful of special people, without whom there wouldn't be a Colorado wine industry. Amongst this elite group was lawyer and Plum Creek Cellars Co-founder Doug Phillips, who succumbed to cancer this last summer. It's a tremendous honor that the State of Colorado has chosen to remember Phillips, who was much loved in both the state's legal and wine communities.

Under the headline, "Legislature to Honor Local Pioneering Winemaker," Grand Junction Daily Sentinel Reporter Dave Buchanan writes:

"Nearly seven months to the day after he died, pioneering winemaker Doug Phillips continues to make his mark on Colorado’s wine industry."

"Phillips, founder and co-owner (with his wife Sue) of Plum Creek Cellars in Palisade, will be honored this week with a joint resolution in the state legislature."

"He passed away July 15."

"According to Doug Caskey, executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board, the resolution was initiated by Ron Smith, an original member of the Colorado Wine Board and a longtime friend of Phillips’, and by Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, who will speak on the floor of both chambers Thursday in a special ceremony."

"The proclamation honors Phillips not only for his resolute determination to elevate Colorado’s fledgling wine industry to a national level but his groundbreaking work in another field: workers’ compensation law."

"The resolution cites Phillips’ courtroom mastery (many a young attorney quickly learned that Phillips was a formidable courtroom adversary) and said he was a “forceful advocate” for workers seeking just recompense, “avoiding animosity and acrimony” while remaining a “gentleman” in the courtroom."

"Anyone who was getting to know Phillips soon realized he carried the same demeanor and drive to his wine making, whether it was emphasizing the quality of Colorado fruit or boosting the entire industry to heights not yet scaled."

"Always ready with a good story, but never without a critical-but-kind eye on the progress being made around him, Phillips’ had the ability to needle you gently, urging you to do better than you thought possible until you surprised yourself with the end result."

"When Phillips and then-winemaker Erik Bruner started Plum Creek Cellars in 1984, there were fewer than five Colorado wineries. A quick count recently turned up about 72 licensed wineries."

The text of the resolution is available at www.leg.state.co.us. Click on Current Regular Session Information, going to SJR09-008.

You can read the article here.

Remembering Doug Philips, A Wine Trailblazer

Here is the full text of the Colorado State Legislature's Resolution SJR09-008, honoring Doug Phillips, for his many contributions to Colorado's legal system and the wine industry:

"WHEREAS, Doug Phillips began practicing workers' compensation law in the 1970s when very few lawyers did, becoming Dean of the workers' compensation claimant's Bar, and Mr. Phillips set the gold standard for the ethical, fair, and compassionate practice of workers' compensation law; and"

"WHEREAS, During the 35 years that Mr. Phillips practiced workers' compensation law, he was a forceful advocate for the thousands of injured workers whom he represented, and he was always a gentleman in his dealings with the court, opposing counsel, and all other individuals involved with the system, thereby avoiding the animosity and acrimony often involved in litigated cases; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips was known for his thorough work-up of claims, his knowledge of the statute and supporting case law, and his superlative courtroom skills; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips blazed new trails in workers' compensation law through successful appeals to the Colorado Supreme Court, forever changing the way the workers' compensation system works; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips also engineered many beneficial changes in the workers' compensation statutes because of his high degree of credibility with the General Assembly and with four governors: Dick Lamm, Roy Romer, Bill Owens, and Bill Ritter; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips and his wife, Sue, wrote Volume 17 of the Colorado Practice Series, Colorado Workers' Compensation Practice and Procedure, the Bible for many workers' compensation practitioners and judges; and"

"WHEREAS, In addition to being a distinguished Colorado attorney, Mr. Phillips was also a pioneer in the Colorado wine industry, which has grown to contribute in excess of forty million dollars annually to the Colorado economy; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips was a founding partner of Plum Creek Cellars, originally established in Larkspur, but later moved to Palisade so that it would be closest to the vineyards where, as Mr. Phillips observed, the best wineries in the world were located; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips' goal in establishing Plum Creek Cellars was to make the highest-quality wine with grapes grown only in Colorado; and"

"WHEREAS, Wine experts were skeptical that Colorado wines would ever compete successfully with fine wines from other locales, but Mr. Phillips and the Colorado wine industry proved the early critics wrong by producing award-winning wines that continue to increase market share nationally; and"

"WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips helped draft legislation for and lobbied for creation of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board, serving on the Board from 1990 through 1998 and again from 2005 through 2008, with much of that service as its Chair; and"

WHEREAS, Mr. Phillips, among other things, also chaired the Colorado Mountain Winefest Committee for the Rocky Mountain Vintners' and Viticulturalists' Association and was a co-founder of the Grand Valley Winery Association; and

"WHEREAS, Because of Mr. Phillips and the many others he encouraged and showed what was possible there are more than 1,000 acres of vinifera grapes grown in Colorado that are turned into wine by more than 70 wineries, making the impact of grape and wine production in Colorado second only to that of peaches; and"

"WHEREAS, The wine industry is now a leading agricultural-based attraction for Western Colorado, promoting mountain tourism during the summer and fall to complement ski tourism in the winter and better utilize"

"Colorado's total tourism capacity; now, therefore,"

"Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-seventh General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:"

"That the General Assembly hereby expresses its gratitude for the many contributions of Doug Phillips to our state and celebrates the many achievements of his life."

"Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Senate Joint Resolution be presented to Mr. Phillips' wife, Sue Phillips, and to his daughters, Jennifer and Megan Phillips."

Thank you, Doug, for all that you did. Many of us never would have been here without all your hard work and thoughtfulness.

2008 Stories We Should Have Covered #2

Number Two in Our Stories We Should Have Covered in 2008, but somehow didn't get around to is the second half of a tough review of Colorado wines. (We might even argue it's harsh). However, the reviewer is a self described Wine Curmudgeon, so some curmudgeonly assessments are to be expected. Here's what the Wine Curmudgeon.com wrote about Colorado's Wine Country.

"This is the second of two parts looking at Colorado wine."

"How do Colorado's wines compare to the state's incomparable scenery? I've tasted them twice -- once on a wine trip through the state, and again last fall. The verdict? It depends."

"In many parts of the state, Colorado’s winemakers face the same problems that everyone from everywhere that isn’t California or the Pacific Northwest faces. Retail prices are higher than they should be, since the state’s wineries are too small to enjoy economies of scale. This means there aren’t many decent $10 wines, or much $10 wine at all."

"Distribution is limited, not only because most wineries don’t make much wine (one of the biggest, Plum Creek, makes 14,000 cases a year, about what a decent-sized California winery will do in a month), but because most national distributors aren’t interested in carrying Colorado wine. (In fact, if anyone outside the state wants to buy these wines, they'll probably need to order from the winery.)"

"In addition, the industry is too young to expect too much (though this is something many Coloradoans don't understand). It took California 40 years from the end of Prohibition to emerge as one of the best wine growing regions in the world, and Colorado’s most important efforts are only 10 years old. It takes at least that much time to just understand weather patterns, let alone figure out how what grapes to grow to fit the weather. Growers have had some success with riesling, which likes cold weather, but are still experimenting with other varietals."

"Many wines, though, do display considerable progress:"

"• Canyon Wind Cellars has hired consultant Robert Pepi, whose family has made wine in Napa Valley since the 1960s, it shows. The reds, and especially the $25 cabernet sauvignon, are well-made and price competitive. The biggest surprise was the $15 pinot grigio, full of citrus and mineral flavors, a wine that does the entire state proud. "

"• Guy Drew Vineyards produces an $18 syrah similar to some made in Washington state, a nice wine if a trifle pricey. "

"• Drew's neighbor down the road, an ex-British commando named John Sutcliffe at Sutcliffe Vineyards turns out a $20 riesling that is crisp and food-friendly -- again well-made and again a bit pricey. "

"• Palisade’s Plum Creek does a respectable $10 sauvignon blanc that is more than adequate for that Tuesday night takeout dinner."

You can read the rest of the review here.

And Now, A Sentinel Sermon on Drinking Colorado Wine

Earlier in the year, we reported on Time Magazine's coverage of wine in all 50 states, where Plum Creek was mentioned as the Colorado entry. Apparently, several someones sat up and took notice. Grand Junction Daily Sentinel writer Dave.Buchanan took exception to this article, as did several wine aficionados around the blogosphere. Under the headline, "No Law Says All Good Wine Comes From California," Buchanan writes:

"Drink local."

"That means us, since we’re the ones in control of what we drink.

"The movement to eat locally has another focus: Learning to drink locally, too.

"The concept really is the same. Know what you’re drinking by getting to know the people producing the wine you put on your table and share with friends.

"One of the provocateurs of the idea, wine writer Jeff Siegel, writing on a Web site titled drinklocalwine, says the idea was to get a range of writers to talk up local wines, as long as the wines aren’t from California.

“Because it’s about time regional wine got the respect it deserved,” says Siegel, who blogs under the name The Wine Curmudgeon (http://winecurmudgeon.com).

“Yes, some of it still tastes like it was made from grapes strained through sweaty socks, but much of it is as competently made as anything from California.

“'I regularly do blind tastings with regional wine; the people who taste it think the stuff they’re drinking is from California or Australia. These wines don’t deserve the ‘Time magazine’ treatment.'

"He goes on: 'Because we should drink regional wine. There is no law that says all wine has to come from California.'

"The 'Time magazine’ treatment” to which Siegel refers is an article written earlier this year by Joel Stein in which Stein reviews 50 American wines.

"Not only is Stein’s piece 'flawed' and sprinkled with 'factual errors,' Siegel says, but 'Stein seems more concerned with being flip and hip and other clever things than he does talking about wine.'”

You can read the rest of the Buchanan article here.

Snowmass Wine Festival Features Garfield Estates, Plum Creek, Two Rivers' Wines

The Aspen Times has written an in-depth profile of Billie and Bob Witham, owners and founders of Two Rivers Winery. The article also covers the Snowmass Wine Festival, happening this weekend. Under the headline, "Snowmass Wine Festival Draws Colorado Winemakers:

Grand Junction-Area Winery's Varietals Among Those Featured at Weekend Event," Reporter Stewart Oksenhorn writes:

"Two Rivers’ wines will be offered at this weekend’s Snowmass Wine Festival in Snowmass Village. The festival opens Friday with a dinner at the Artisan restaurant, featuring wines from the Australian maker Penfolds. The Grand Tasting is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the Snowmass mall. Among the winemakers will be three from Colorado, all located in Mesa County: Plum Creek, Garfield Estates, and Two Rivers, whose full array of varietals — cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, riesling and chardonnay, plus a port — will be featured. It is a rarity for the Colorado wineries to be included, as the Snowmass event typically coincides with the Colorado Mountain Winefest, in Palisade.

"In total, some 200 wines from around the world will be featured at the Grand Tasting in Snowmass. The event will also feature food items, a silent auction, and music by Bobby Mason & Friends. The event is a fundraiser for the Snowmass Village Rotary. The festival coincides with the 33rd Annual Snowmass Balloon Festival, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 14."

You can read more about the Withams and Two Rivers Winery here.

Time Magazine Ranks Plum Creek 'Excellent'

When Time Magazine reporter Joel Stein heard that wine was now produced in all 50 states, he decided to try one one from each region. In his words, they ranged from outstanding to dreadful. Fortunately, the Colorado entry from Palisade ranked as one of the best -- Plum Creek Winery's Grand Mesa Cabernet.

Under the headline, "50 States of Wine," Stein's all American wine reviews can be found here. He tasted bottles in the $15 to $20 range.

““I rated each wine Excellent, Good, Bad or Undrinkable,” says Stein. "As for the methodology, wine critic Gary Vaynerchuk, my wife and I tasted 10 randomly selected wines. Another 20 were downed at a wine-tasting party with a dozen friends. One wine I tried while visiting the state that made it. And my wife and I tasted the rest together.

Here's what Stein said about Grand Mesa Cabernet:

"It's too hot with alcohol, too bitter from tannins, too vanilla from oak. But so are most California wines. This red tastes like many big New World wines. It's a Bordeaux blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot, and it has nice, dark, smoky fruit and a lot going on for the finish. Maybe you could even age this stuff."