About

About the Winery

Alfred Eames Cellars is known for its high-quality, handcrafted wines and its intimate, boutique-style winery experience. The family-run operation emphasizes traditional techniques and produces dry, complex reds and whites using Colorado-grown grapes.

The winery has earned numerous awards for its standout wines. In 2023, the 2019 vintage of Carmena won both “Double Gold” and “Best in Show” at the Colorado Governor’s Cup, the state’s most prestigious wine competition. This highly rated wine is made from the rare Carmine grape, a hybrid developed for cool coastal climates. Another notable wine, the Sangre del Sol Red Blend, received the “Best Red Wine” award at the 2010 First Lady’s Choice competition, the former name of the Colorado Governor’s Cup. Alfred Eames Cellars is also well known for its award-winning Pinot Noir, produced exclusively from grapes grown on its estate vineyard.

Visitors can enjoy an intimate and authentic tasting experience at Alfred Eames Cellars. Unlike larger commercial wineries, tours and tastings are offered by appointment only and are often conducted in the owner’s work area, giving guests a personal look into the daily workings of the winery. Another highlight of the visit is the underground wine cave, a concrete cellar designed by renowned builder Steve Kornher of Flying Concrete. Based in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Kornher creates extraordinary concrete structures and has worked as far north as Alaska—his craftsmanship in the wine cave is an unforgettable part of the winery experience. You won’t believe what this man can do with concrete.

The winery also engages in partnerships and community events. Alfred Eames Cellars collaborates with Zenzen Gardens, another Paonia establishment, to offer daily tastings in warmer months in a garden setting with mountain views. Zenzen Gardens also hosts special events and farm-to-table dinners featuring Eames’s wines. Each December, the winery partners with Pam’s Jammin’ to host its annual barrel tasting—a festive event featuring live music, appetizers, and tastings of young wines drawn straight from the barrel.

Several unique characteristics further distinguish Alfred Eames Cellars. Its estate, Puesta del Sol Vineyards, is located in the high-elevation West Elks AVA, contributing to the wines’ distinctive flavor profiles. The wine bottles feature vibrant, artistic labels created by Wilkie Studio, the work of artist William Wilkie. His sculpture, drawing, and painting offer a visually uplifting experience—truly “treating your mind through your eyes.” Additionally, visitors can enjoy locally made jams, sauces, and jellies from Pam’s Jammin’, an on-site business run by the wife of one of the owners, offering another delicious and artisanal local touch.