National Wine Day In Colorado: Pop A Cork At Local Wineries

May 25 is National Wine Day in Colorado, which means there’s no better time to break out that bottle of cabernet you’ve been saving for a special occasion.

While many of us don’t really need an excuse to enjoy a glass of our favorite vintage, that hasn’t stopped wine drinkers from getting creative in finding new ways to celebrate the act of wine-drinking.

Whether it's for National Wine Day, National Red Wine Day, or National Drink Wine Day, it’s not hard to find a bottle right here in Colorado.

Through its 156 wineries, Colorado produced about 217,490 gallons of wine in December 2020, according to data available through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. On average, the economic impact of wine production and sales in Colorado come to about $3.2 billion.

Don’t miss the latest news updates in Denver, Boulder, Arvada, Lakewood and Littleton. Sign up for free Patch news alerts and newsletters for what you need to know daily.

Wineries, however, have been hard-hit during the pandemic. A survey by the National Association of American Wineries during the pandemic’s early months showed wineries experienced a crash in tourism and in-person sales.

Visits to tasting rooms plummeted nearly 88 percent, according to the association, and the average winery experienced a 70 percent loss in in-person sales (though internet sales increased by about 66 percent).

This is why National Wine Day marks a perfect time to support a local winery. Designate a driver and find a Colorado winery near you here.

Overall, U.S. states are responsible for producing about 900 million gallons of wine annually, according to statistics from the National Association of American Wineries.

California remains the industry juggernaut, producing more than 85 percent of all U.S. wine.

The U.S. also leads the world in wine consumption, according to the National Association of American Wineries.

Before the pandemic, Coloradans' per capita consumption was about 0.52 gallons of wine each year, VinePair reported, citing data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

However, alcohol consumption has spiked during the coronavirus pandemic.

In December, survey results released by researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland found that 60 percent of respondents were drinking more compared with before COVID-19.

Another survey conducted in February by the American Psychological Association found that nearly 1 in 4 adults reported drinking more to manage pandemic stress.

While it’s fun to celebrate National Wine Day, a good practice is to celebrate safely and in moderation.

If you or someone you know has been suffering from alcohol dependency during the pandemic, help is available. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers an online Navigator to help find telehealth alcohol treatment by healthcare professionals. You can also call 800-662-4357 to reach the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.