By Kristen Kuchar, Thirst Colorado – Oct 17, 2022
Thirst Colorado got the chance to chat with four impressive women to learn what it’s like being a part of the Colorado wine scene, their favorite wine they produce and their go-to food pairing. One of these women is Jayme Henderson of The Storm Cellar.
Thirst Colorado’s Kristen Kuchar had several questions for Jayme:
Can you describe your winemaking style in three words? Crisp, aromatic and clean.
What is your favorite wine you produce? My husband and I produce a variety of wines, each unique and reflective of the vintage’s characteristics, but year after year, my favorite has to be our dry riesling. It’s vibrant, with mouthwatering acidity, and filled with classic notes of orchid flower, lime zest and ripe peach. While we weren’t able to produce and estate Riesling in 2021, I am super excited that we were able to work with some incredible vineyard sites, like Colorado-grown Riesling from the Box Bar Vineyard in Cortez.
What is one thing people might not realize about being a winemaker in Colorado? Growing grapes in Colorado is truly extreme farming. Our high elevation and arid climate create unique wine expressions, but at the same time, we are constantly threatened by late-spring and early-fall frosts, in the face of constant drought. Without a body of water to moderate our harsh continental climate, the vintage variations are dramatic. That said, for me, making Colorado wine is an expression of the vintage, not a recipe to repeat year after year.
What’s your go-to wine and food pairing? In summer, it’s Grüner Veltliner and grilled summer vegetables or caprese salad. In the fall, I’m all for a robust, dry rosé with smoked pork tenderloin.
