OUR STORY
Thirty years ago on a ranch deep in Southwest Colorado a tiny vineyard was planted on a whim.
A small metal sign on the ditch, deep in McElmo Canyon read: melons, tomatoes, peaches, ranch. The fruit was bought and an offer was made on the ranch. The next day the offer was accepted and low and behold Sutcliffe Vineyards was born.
John says, “The architect, Reggie Gibson, who designed my two houses, had camped on our newly acquired ranch, absorbed the nature of the place, and then toured Northern New Mexico to gain inspiration from buildings that addressed the prevailing essence of this canyon, Truchas, Chimayo, Taos, and of course, Santa Fe. Sitting in the drawing room, cradling a glass of good bourbon and nibbling at anchovy-smothered toast, he expounded an idea that would fundamentally change my life. In an accent honed in Anderson, South Carolina, he said, ‘I believe vines’d be beautiful around these houses…no, I really do.’
Before I could dispel this idea, my wife (at the time), Emily, responded in an accent also from South Carolina, “Yes, Reggie. What a great idea.” And so the saga began.
When John Sutcliffe was operating Tavern on the Green in New York City, he gave unwavering support to California Vineyards when they were still a tough sell in the city; France and Italy ruled. To Sutcliffe's delight and surprise, some of those vintners, now deeply successful, appeared to help him plant vines years later.
The idea of churning out wine in a place that is absolutely ideal has no appeal, so there was something entrancing about the idea that it’s impossible to make wine here, in the harsh wilderness of McElmo Canyon.
Two of Colorado's most celebrated and trusted winemakers began to build this iconic label. Ben Parsons first, on his way to creating the legendary Infinite Monkey and then Joe Buckle for 12 years before establishing Buckle Family Wine. What a great start.
We remain committed to their passion and talent. Twenty years on, the vines are weathered and strong, the wine more complex, and the tradition continues under Jesus Castillo’s devoted eye. We have been told that our inception was the beginning of a new approach to winemaking in our beloved Colorado, 4,000 cases a year of world class wine. To this day, we continue to garner more awards than any other Colorado Vineyard. Isolated, idiosyncratic, passionate and stubborn, we know no other way.
HISTORY OF SUTCLIFFE VINEYARDS
In 2017 we stole Mikey Christensen from Stonefish, a great Sushi restaurant, where he was sous-chef. He had joked with our winemakers, who frequented the place, about making wine, and soon afterwards he came on board. We knew he was a good cook and loved the great sauces he made from the chillis he grew, but we were soon to learn that his brilliant sense of flavor and taste would be a vital component of our wine making. He is both innovative and a traditionalist in his approach and his taste can always be relied upon.
Our Winemaker Jesus Castillo began his career at the Vineyard in 1996, managing the livestock and hay operation. His firm but gentle way with the animals was astonishing as well as his ability to rope a crazy heifer plunging through the willows. As the Wine operation grew, Jesus became increasingly involved, first with Ben Parsons of "Infinite Monkey" notoriety, Joe Buckel of Buckel family wine and as mentor to David Culliton of the Fableist in Paso Robles. All the winemakers extolled Jesus' talents and this has been endorsed by the fabulous wines he has crafted since 2017. We are proud to have had Jesus raise his 3 children on the Vineyard.