Last summer, I toured Colorado wine country, discovering not only the wonderful, world-class wines of the region, but also the wonderful people behind them. In many cases, the wineries are run by couples. Over the course of this year, I’ll introduce you to some of them because they all have an interesting story to tell (and interesting wines to drink!). I’m not alone in feeling this way – Colorado’s Grand Valley was named by Wine Enthusiast as a Top 10 Wine Getaway in 2018, one of only two U.S. wine regions to receive this recognition. Let’s start with Garrett and Cailin Portra of Carlson Vineyards. I was struck by their story and their lovely vineyard in the backyard of a house that’s their tasting room.
Meet Garrett Portra, president/winemaker/owner and Cailin Portra, secretary/owner/office manager of Carlson Vineyards in Colorado Wine country
Cailin and Garrett Portra, owners of Carlson Vineyards.
Real Food Traveler: What were you each doing before you got into the wine business?
Cailin Portra: I was working full time as an occupational therapist and am still working several days a week as an OT. Garrett had worked for a few years in oil and gas when we first moved to Colorado and was exploring nursing school for a year before he started working in the wine world.
RFT: Had you ever imagined you’d get into the wine biz?
Garrett Portra: It has always been in the cards but we didn’t anticipate this specific situation. Cailin’s parents grew grapes in Missouri as a part time hobby and had a small winery so we had some exposure to the wine world.
RFT: What made you decide to get into it?
CP: Garrett found a good fit in the blend of people, creativity, agriculture and science.
RFT: When did your winery open?
GP: Carlson Vineyards was originally opened in 1988 by Parker and Mary Carlson. They were the owners until we purchased the winery in 2015.
RFT: Did you plan to work together from the start of coming up with the idea to open a winery?
CP: We had hoped any business we would eventually have would be a lifestyle choice and we would work together as a family business.
A couple of the wines made by Carlson Vineyards including one that’s an homage to the fact that the Grand Junction area of Colorado is rich in dinosaur discoveries.
RFT: How did you determine who would have which role with the company?
GP: I had the experience in winemaking and sales, and Cailin has an eye for details and processes. It was a natural fit.
RFT: Has that division of roles changed over time?
GP: The roles are flexing all the time. As the business changes so do our duties. As the seasons change so do our roles. Wine making has harvest season, tourism season, fermentation season, bottling season, creative/planning season…our hats change all the time.
RFT: What do you think about working together: Is it hard? Easy? More of a challenge than you anticipated?
GP: We had college classes together and have worked together in the past on big goals. Our roles do not overlap much except for the big concept brainstorms. The division of roles is fairly clear and well matched with our natural strengths.
RFT: What’s a typical work day like for you both in terms of hours and activities?
CP: I work two days a week (8-5), a time that works to drop off children at daycare and pick them up in the evening. I run payroll, balances bank account, run QuickBooks, pay bills and keep up with state and federal paperwork. In the past 6 months I’ve worked on switching systems from paper and pencil to electronic with more automation.
GP: I work about 6 days a week (8-6). During harvest I’m there 7 days a week almost 12 hour days. I manage the cellar, make the wine, and create marketing concepts. I start the day by making a daily work docket for the cellar work. Then I work on any office work that is needed before going in the cellar. One of the biggest surprises was the amount of office work necessary. One of the best things about Cailin coming to work at the winery is my ability to move more time back to the cellar.
RFT: How do you deal with disagreements when decisions need to be made?
GP: We make goals, long term and short term. We usually agree on big picture items but have to talk through how to get there. Sometimes we have to schedule in “meetings” to take time to talk through specific topics. Cailin keeps me focused.
CP: And Garrett is full of creative ideas…
RFT: Are you ever able to “turn off” work talk when you’re not “on duty”? If so, what’s the trick to that?
CP: Turning it off is more difficult and an area we need to work on. Having two small children at home makes talking shop almost impossible. We have had a few work conversations over the top of a diaper change or while watching “My Little Ponies.” Not the most productive.
RFT: How do you handle taking time off such as for a family vacation?
GP: Family vacations have been a work in progress. This year we combined a work trip with a two week family camping adventure. We took our camper, a one-year-old and a three-year-old from Colorado to Wisconsin. We were also finally able to take a week off over Christmas (the first Christmas trip back to visit family in almost 7 years.)
RFT: What has working together taught you about yourself and about yourselves as a couple?
GP: Our conflict resolutions styles differ. Cailin has to simmer and process. I want to find a solution but like to talk it through until it’s done. We have realized that I am big picture-oriented and Cailin is able to take apart the goals into the small details.
One of the cute winery cats that are residents of Carlson Vineyards.
RFT: What are the advantages and disadvantages to working together?
CP: The biggest advantage of working together is we get to work to a common goal to benefit our family. The disadvantage is definitely leaving work at work. It’s easy to never step away at home. One thing we’re conscious of is keeping life outside of the winery family-oriented, but it is a daily struggle.
RFT: Do you see the winery as being a multi-generational endeavor, encouraging kids and other family members to be part of it?
GP: I think we are open to either direction. It’s always nice to think of the family taking on the winery and this is the main reason we try not to bring work home so the girls don’t end up resenting it. We also want our girls to grow up and follow their passion and not feel trapped. The romantic idea is both girls growing up around the winery and eventually taking it over but as young as our girls are, we will cross that bridge when we get there.
RFT: What months are you open to receive visitors to your tasting room and to buy your wine?
CP: Our tasting room is open 7 days a week all year round. We are closed only for the major holidays.
RFT: What’s the best time of year to visit you to see the vineyards in all their glory and the winery going at full tilt, especially for people new to Colorado and new to Colorado’s wine scene?
GP: Harvest is always the most exciting time to visit. Grape harvest usually starts in the middle of August and goes through October. But for us, we start harvest in early- to mid-July because of all the fruit wines we make. This time is always busy with lots to see and try. Whether it’s juice from the press or grapes from the vine, it is a great time to come to the winery and try something new.
RFT: Can your Colorado wine be shipped outside of Colorado (for when they come visit and love it)?
CP: We can ship to 7 different states, check out our website for more details.
RFT: What experiences can visitors get when they come to you?
CP: We try to cater to all visitors and groups big or small. We’re always doing impromptu tours of the cellar. The fun thing about visiting small family wineries is that at any given time the person pouring wine in the tasting room could also be the person who made the wine in the cellar. It’s always nice to have a warning from groups of 20 or more just to make sure we have the staff on hand to make an enjoyable experience for all.
The wine tasting room at Carlson Vineyards.
RFT: What varietals of wine do you make?
GP: We do just about everything. Carlsons is known for balanced fruit wine (cherry, peach, plum, pear-apple). We also have dry red (i.e. Lemberger, Cab Franc) semisweet (Riesling and Gewurztraminer) and sweet (i.e. Sweet Baby Red, Sweet Gewurztraminer).
RFT: What percentage of your grapes come from Colorado?
GP: 100% Colorado. There have been a few years when harvest gets hit hard that we purchase from out of state. We grow 10% on-site.
RFT: Is there one kind of grape or style of wine you are best known for, or that is something really unique that you do?
GP: In 2004 Parker Carlson won the World Riesling Cup. Riesling continues to be of top quality. Our biggest dry red seller is our T Red which is made from 100% Lemberger grape, an Eastern European varietal. 100% of our fruit wine is made from the fruit (peach, cherry, plum or pear apple) no concentrate added.
RFT: Has life owning a winery and working with your spouse been what you thought it would be?
GP: Taking over an existing business has its complications but working with my wife has been wonderful. Our business has been a lifestyle choice and having her by my side has gotten us more time together, working towards congruent goals.
RFT: What would people be most surprised to know about Colorado’s wine scene?
CP: It is a legitimate wine district with world class wines with a laid back attitude.
When you go:
To learn more about the Colorado wine scene, visit ColoradoWine.com.
To learn more about the Grand Valley area, go to VisitGrandJunction.com.
For more articles by Courtney Drake-McDonough, click here.
Enjoy some wine in a comfy chair, under the shade of big trees at Carlson Vineyards, with the vineyard in view. Beautiful!
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