Esoterra Ciderworks expands into Winemaking

Exciting news for wine lovers in Durango. EsoTerra Ciderworks is taking a bold step into wine making with its upcoming Arboretum. You’re watching the Local News Network, brought to you by Crystal Mart and Denise Elliott, State Farm Agent. I’m Sadie Smith. Following the success of its ciders launched just before the pandemic, EsoTerra has acquired a 70-acre property at just 15 minutes south of Durango to develop the Arboretum, a groundbreaking wine-making venue set to be the first of its kind in the region.

And so right now, with over 250 varieties of apple trees in preservation and in conservation, and 33 varieties of grape vines in experimentation and in research, coupling that with multiple acres of botanical gardens, we are one of the largest, most diverse collections of plantings in southwest Colorado. And so that is why we went with the Arboretum. It’s not just a vineyard, it’s not just an orchard, it is a location of preservation and research.

Co-founder Elizabeth Philbrick says, the process of making wine is quite similar to making cider. A balanced wine requires four main elements, acidity, sugar, alcohol, and tannins, all of which can be found in both apples and grapes due to their similar molecular structure.

So what you want to do is when you think about these four structures of your wine, think about the way you frame a picture. It’s the actual frame that you’re going to hang the canvas over. So, in order to have a really well balanced wine, you need those four components. Wine can be made from literally any fruit. You can make alcohol called wine from a banana, for example, but there’s no tannin, there’s no acid. And so what you’re ending up with is a really alcoholic beverage that doesn’t taste good in the mouth, like there’s plenty of alcohol that doesn’t taste good. The cool things about apples are they are the closest in structure to a grape.

Southwest Colorado is historically a great apple growing region. Colorado’s intense sunshine and lower oxygen levels produce apples with high tannins and acidity resulting in a bright and dried cider. These attributes also apply to wine production. EsoTerra plans to grow inter-specific hybrid grapes, a cold, hardy variety known for authentic European flavors and well-suited to thrive in our region.

The climate here creates an absolutely stunning perfection of those four components, those four balancing components of a wine. And then by the varieties that we’re picking, we’re able to stretch a canvas of Baco or stretch a canvas of a over that really beautiful balance, that structure.

Bringing a winery to Durango is no small feat. EsoTerra will be the only winery in Durango that grows its own fruit. To support the project, EsoTerra has launched an Indiegogo campaign. Each Indiegogo purchase includes a founder’s glass reminding supporters that they are part of the Arboretum’s origins and allowing them to claim an early stake in the project. Those who participate in the campaign will also have the chance to pre-register for events during the venue’s first year opening.

This works twofold for us. First and foremost, it’s sort of upfront some funds for us to be able to finish out the property the way it needs to be done, to make it the most beautiful, the most successful project ever. But it also means people learn about our project. They get to learn that you can come and have a wine 101 with your friends, and we can teach you the basics of wine in a fun and comedic way. And you get to come up here and be like a founding member of something that is so iconically Durango.

Early plans for the Arboretum include a one of a kind venue for weddings, parties, and wine tastings. Guests can expect motorboats on the pond, live music, and plenty of scenic spots to relax. To support EsoTerra’s new venture and join their Indiegogo campaign, visit its website. Mark your calendars for a Kentucky Derby themed party, grand opening this spring. It’s an event you won’t want to miss. For more information about this and other stories, visit durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of The Local News Network. I’m Sadie Smith.