The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, the tasting room on the historic abbey grounds in Cañon City, is staring down a possible shutdown at the end of September after 25 years of operation. Owner Larry Oddo has put the business up for sale and told local media he plans to retire at the end of the month if no buyer steps in. The announcement has already triggered steep discounts in the tasting room and the cancellation of the winery’s flagship Harvest Festival this year.
According to the Canon City Daily Record, Oddo said the winery will close if it does not sell by Sept. 30 and that he has operated the business for the past 21 years. The paper reports that the property is currently listed for sale but has not attracted a buyer as of its reporting.
The winery sits at 3011 E U.S. Highway 50 on the Holy Cross Abbey grounds and first opened its tasting room to the public in June 2002. The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey lists tasting-room hours, a long roster of awards, and a calendar of events that has historically included the Harvest Festival.
Owner Sets Sept. 30 Deadline
Canon City Daily Record reports that Oddo set Sept. 30 as the cutoff for a sale and called the decision "a gut-wrenching period of time." According to the paper, the listing has not yet drawn a buyer, and the tasting room has canceled this year's Harvest Fest, will honor gift cards and Congregation Club benefits through September, and is offering a 25% discount on flights, glasses, and bottles while the business remains open.
What The Winery Means To Cañon City
The Abbey Winery has been a regional draw for tourists and locals alike, hosting concerts, winemaker dinners, and other events that help anchor Cañon City's tourism season. The Royal Gorge Region tourism site notes the winery as a longtime regional attraction, and trade coverage has highlighted a milestone placement of Abbey wines in Yellowstone National Park's lodges and restaurants. Royal Gorge Region and Ark Valley Voice provide background on the winery's awards and reach.
What's Next
State liquor-license records list an entry for the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey under the name "HCA WINERY ACQUISITION" dated March 24, 2026, a detail that could matter to prospective buyers and regulators. State Records show the licensed location at 3011 E Highway 50. For now, the tasting room remains open seven days a week as the search for a buyer continues.
