Winery 5280 Earns Seven Medals at Denver Competition
The Loveland winery took home seven awards at the Denver International Wine Competition in mid-September.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Wine
Winery 5280, based in Loveland, won seven medals at the Denver International Wine Competition, including two double gold medals. The competition was presented by Wine Country International magazine.
Why it matters
The awards add recognition for a winery that opened in 2024 and is seeking to establish itself among regional producers. Its performance across red, white and sparkling-style categories shows results across several varietals.
Winery 5280 received two double gold medals, three gold, three silver and one bronze, with the Merlot earning a double gold. The number of entries and competing wineries was not reported.
The players
Winery 5280
A Loveland winery that opened in 2024 and operates a tasting room open Fridays and Saturdays.
Denver International Wine Competition
A wine competition held in Denver that awards medals to wines entered by producers across the region.
Wine Country International
A magazine that presents the Denver International Wine Competition.
The details
Winery 5280 entered wines from several vintages, including the 2024 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, and the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, white Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier. The competition was held in mid-September and is presented by Wine Country International magazine.
Timeline
2024: Winery 5280 opened, founded by Craig Johnson.
Mid-September 2026: The Denver International Wine Competition was held.
Market Landscape
Regional competitions such as the Denver International Wine Competition give newer Colorado wineries a way to gain recognition alongside established producers. Winery 5280's medals show a young winery earning awards within the state's growing wine scene.
Loveland residents can visit Winery 5280's tasting room on Fridays and Saturdays to sample the medal-winning wines. The tasting room schedule is the practical way to experience the awarded bottles.
The takeaway
Medal results are one signal among many when choosing a wine, so tasting directly remains the most reliable way to judge a bottle. Readers interested in Loveland wines can compare the awarded varietals on their own palate.
Further reading
For more regional coverage, explore Wine to see other producers and competitions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BizWest.
