Celebrate National Wine Day With Wyoming’s Best Wineries

Tomorrow is National Wine Day and we're raising a toast to the best wineries in Wyoming. Believe it not, grapes can grow here and there are several successful vineyards in the Cowboy State.

Table Mountain Winery was the first. Located near Torrington, the Zimmerer family farm has been around since 1926. In 2001, Patrick Zimmerer was attending the University of Wyoming and set out to prove that grapes could become a cash crop. After winning a $10,000 grand from UW, the operation has expanded to 10,000 vines on nearly ten acres. They now bottle eight varieties and are best known for their Wyo Wines series.

Irvin Cellars produces a variety of wines from locally grown grapes and fruit in the Wind River Valley. Along with Merlot, they are renowned for their specialty wines made with peaches, plums, chokecherries, and pumpkins.

In Sheridan, Weston Wineries sources grapes from the West Coast which are stored and aged in their cellar. Their 307 Blend features flavors named for Devils Tower, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Flaming Gorge. They also have labels honoring Wyoming's favorite fictional sheriff Walt Longmire and legendary rodeo and country music star Chris LeDoux.

Buffalo Jump Winery imports California grapes which are stored and bottled on a working bison ranch near Cody. Along with a dozen vintages, they also operate a distillery specializing in whiskey and vodka.

The Jackson Hole Winery stores Napa Valley grapes just outside of Grand Teton National Park. Barrel aging at high elevation generates less oxygen which, combined with low temperature, produces a distinctive flavor.