The Beverage Blog

Stoney Mesa Winery

By Christie Aschwanden, 3-30-05

Last week, I made the second stop on my Colorado winery tour. The Stoney Mesa Winery sits in my very own town of Cedaredge. Fourth generation Delta county resident Ron Neal started making wine as a hobby when he worked for United Airlines, but the hobby eventually took over his life. In 1990, he quit his job and started the Stoney Mesa Winery, which he now runs with his wife, son, his son's family and a handful of employees.

Stoney Mesa has doubled its production each of the last five years, and this year it will put out about 36,000 bottles of wine. The grapes come from the 50-plus acres the winery owns, including a plot in Grand Junction. The winery won special recognition for the highest and most consistent overall wine scores at the 2004 Colorado Mountain Winefest.

The winery's 2005 wine list includes three whites, three reds and a blush.

The 2003 Chardonnay was the driest of the three whites. It has a yellow-gold color, a bright nose and a hint of peach.

The 2004 Gewurztraminer has 2.5 percent residual sugar content and a light, syrupy sweetness with hints of citrus. The sweetness would be well-balanced by a spicy meal.

The 2004 Riesling's residual sugar content is also 2.5 percent but it tasted slightly sweeter than the Gewurztraminer. It has a sweet aroma with honeysuckle and strawberry flavors.

The 2001 Merlot gets its oak undertones from 12 months of aging in French oak barrels. It's ready to drink now, and should not be kept more than five years. This Merlot has a full body and hints of berry in the nose.

The 2002 Cabernet Franc has the strongest tannin flavor of any of the winery's red wines. It is earthy and less sweet than the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is full-bodied and would pair well with a steak or other strong meat.

The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon is estate-bottled under the winery's Ptarmigan Vineyards label. It is sold only in the tasting room and by mail (to the states that allow it). The wine has a slightly sweet aroma, a pleasant tannin content with a cherry undertone.

Christie's picks: 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004 Gewurztraminer

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