The Grand Valley area was famous for its peaches and other stone fruits through most of the 20th century, and there are still good produce outlets close by. However, in the last thirty years or so, the valley has become a center for grape growing and winemaking. There are over 20 wineries in the area. One of the fun things about visiting the wineries is that the owners and winemakers are very accessible at many of them, and it’s a fun chance to learn about how the wines are made while also tasting them. A trip to Grand Valley can also include excellent accommodations, and plenty of good food to pair the wine with.
There are many wineries to choose from in Palisade and all of the wineries in the area get together every September for the annual Colorado Mountain Winefest. Here are some to try.
Colorado Sweet Wines and Fruit Wines
Since the area is home to a number of fruit growers there are a number of winemakers using local products to produce fruit wines and sweet wines. St. Kathryn Cellars (785 Elberta Ave., Palisade, 970-464-9288) offers a number of fruit wines such as Golden Pear, Peach Passion, Cranberry Kiss, Strawberry-Rhubarb and even a Lavender Wine. St. Kathryn shares the same historic building with Grande River Vineyards. (787 North Elberta Ave., Palisade, 970-464-6867) Visitors can wander through vineyards that surround the property or attend summer concerts in its amphitheater.
Carlson Vineyards (461 35 Road, Palisade, 888-464-5554) produces a fun cherry wine that tastes like a slice of cherry pie, and is sold along with a piece of chocolate made by the local Enstrom candy company that can be melted so that the rim of the wine glass can be dipped in and enjoyed with the cherry wine.
Ports are the specialty of Graystone Winery, (3352 F Road, Clifton, 970-434-8610) which can be sipped in a cellar tasting room surrounded by barrels.
Rieslings, including Late Harvest Riesling, are just part of the variety of wines that can be found at Whitewater Hill (220 32 Road, Grand Junction, 970-434-6868) which also makes a Zero Below wine, which is much like an ice wine.
Colorado Dry Wines
Colorado Wine Country is also home to a number of winemakers producing traditional dry wines. Plum Creek Winery (3708 G Road, Palisade, 970-464-7586) has named its premium wine “Grand Mesa” after the giant flat-top mountain that sits nearby. The wine is a blend of 40 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 31 percent Cabernet Franc and 29 percent Merlot.
At Canyon Wind Cellars (3907 North River Road, Palisade, 970-464-0888) visitors can taste everything from chardonnay to cabernet franc to syrah, and 47-Ten, which celebrates the elevation of the vineyard in the form of a Bourdeaux blend.
French Wine in Colorado’s Wine Country
John Barbier, a transplanted Frenchman, has brought the concept of dry farming to the Grand Valley in producing wines for Maison la Belle Vie (3575 G Road, Palisade, 970-464-4959) which can be enjoyed in the beautiful setting of Amy’s Courtyard. Barbier also regularly hosts parties where guests can pick and stomp grapes.
Meadery of the Rockies
Modern technology is used to assist the ancient art of making mead, or honey wine, at Meadery of the Rockies (3701 G Road, Palisade, 800-720-2558, www.meaderyoftherockies.com) including mead-fruit mixes such as Peaches n’ Honey.
Getting around Grand Valley
Since there are a number of wineries to visit and wines to try, visitors may want to try using one of the transportation companies, who also provide knowledgeable guides with a number of different options. Absolute Prestige Limousine Serve (970-858-8500) has Hummer, Ford Truck and Lincoln Navigator limos while A Touch With Class Limousine, 970-245-5466) offers dinner packages mixed in with an afternoon of wine tasting.
Whether looking for traditional wines, or new twists that are unique to Palisade and Grand Junction, the variety of wineries in Colorado’s Wine Country means the wine-lover will find something that is perfect for them.
Kathleen Curry - As a self-professed travel guru Kathleen Curry has spent many of her days and future retirement savings on travel. She has worked in the ...
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