Purgatory Cellars Winery Celebrates Award-Winning Wines and a Decade of Community

Purgatory Cellars Winery is toasting a season full of milestones, and we are delighted to share the news with our Chamber community.

Founded in 2014 by Croatian winemaker Marko Ćopić, Purgatory Cellars blends traditional Old World Mediterranean winemaking with modern innovation. The winery sources its grapes from local Colorado growers, embracing the state’s unique climate and high elevations to create wines with real character.

One of its most distinctive touches is the use of Georgian amphorae for fermenting and aging, an ancient method that produces wines with complex flavors and soft tannins.

Purgatory Cellars is one of only a few U.S. wineries using amphorae at scale, the only one in Colorado to do so, and the first to craft sparkling wine from wine aged in clay.

That commitment to craft was recently recognized at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, one of the largest and most respected competitions in North America, judging tens of thousands of entries each year.

Purgatory Cellars earned three medals, including a Silver Medal for its very first Tempranillo, crafted entirely from scratch. It is a proud milestone in the winery’s ongoing dedication to producing exceptional Old World style wines right here in Colorado.

It’s also worth noting that Purgatory Cellars’ wines have been earning medals at the Colorado Governor’s Cup since the winery first entered the competition in 2015, alongside its recent Finger Lakes recognition. The tasting room proudly displays the many medals earned over the years in business.

The celebrations do not stop there. This summer, Purgatory Cellars introduced Mahjong & Wine events in partnership with Evergreen Mahjong Co., giving guests a fresh way to gather, learn, and enjoy Colorado wines together in the tasting room.

2026 also marks a decade of Purgatory Cellars’ Wine of the Month Club and eleven years in business overall.

The team credits their loyal members for a decade of growth, support that continues to inspire them to craft distinctive, small batch wines while offering exclusive member benefits, special releases, and memorable winery experiences.

Looking ahead, Purgatory Cellars remains focused on:

•       Producing handcrafted, award-winning wines inspired by traditional Old World winemaking

•       Expanding community events and partnerships that bring people together

•       Welcoming new visitors while celebrating the loyal customers who have

supported them from the start

•       Proving that Colorado wine can compete on a national and international stage

Congratulations to Purgatory Cellars Winery on these well earned recognitions.

We look forward to seeing what’s next.