Colorado may not be the first location that comes to mind when winemaking is mentioned, but the state does have a growing wine industry, and the heart of it is here in the fertile Grand Valley. Area wineries welcome visitors for tastings and sometimes tours, and most have picnic areas, so bring your lunch. Organized tours by van or limousine are also available. Most wineries are located in the community of Palisade, about 12 miles east of Grand Junction, up the Grand Valley along U.S. 6 (I-70 exit 42).
The state's oldest existing winery, Colorado Cellars Winery, 3553 E Rd., Palisade (tel. 800/848-2812 or 970/464-7921; www.coloradocellars.com), produces an award-winning selection of chardonnays, merlots, Rieslings, fruit wines, and port. In summer, tasting room hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Carlson Vineyards, 461 35 Rd., Palisade (tel. 888/464-5554 or 970/464-5554; www.carlsonvineyards.com), produces a variety of easy-drinking wines from Colorado fruit. Visitors are welcome year-round daily from 10am to 6pm. Meadery of the Rockies, 3701 G Rd., Palisade (tel. 970/464-7899; www.meaderyoftherockies.com), produces honey wine -- also known as mead, the "drink of the gods." Popular in medieval times, mead contains no grapes, but is made from orange-blossom honey. The tasting room is open daily 10am to 5pm.
Other Palisade wineries include Grande River Vineyards, 787 Elberta Ave. (tel. 970/464-5867; www.granderiverwines.com); Plum Creek Cellars, 3708 G Rd. (tel. 970/464-7586; www.plumcreekwinery.com); Garfield Estates Winery, located on a 100-year-old homestead at 3572 G Rd. (tel. 970/464-0941; www.garfieldestates.com); Canyon Wind Cellars, 3907 N. River Rd. (tel. 970/464-0888; www.canyonwindcellars.com); St. Kathryn Cellars, 785 Elberta Ave. (tel. 970/464-9288; www.st-kathryn-cellars.com); Debeque Canyon Winery, 3943 U.S. 6 (tel. 970/464-0550; www.debequecanyonwinery.com); and Amber Ridge Vineyards, 3820 G 1/4 Rd. (tel. 970/464-5314; www.amberridgevineyards.com).
Wineries in Grand Junction include: Two Rivers Winery, 2087 Broadway (tel. 866/312-9463 or 970/255-1471; www.tworiverswinery.com), and Whitewater Hill Vineyards, 220 32 Rd. (tel. 970/434-6868; www.whitewaterhill.com). South of Grand Junction about 7 miles is Reeder Mesa Vineyards, 7799 Reeder Mesa Rd., Whitewater (tel. 970/242-7468; www.reedermesawines.com).
The Colorado Wine Room, 455 Kokopelli Blvd., Fruita, (tel. 877/858-6330 or 970/858-6330; www.coloradowineroom.com), is located near the Colorado Welcome Center just off I-70 exit 19 in Fruita, west of Grand Junction. It offers tastings and sales of over 25 Colorado wines. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and Sunday from noon to 5pm. Maps to the wineries and additional information can be obtained from the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau and online at www.coloradowinecountry.com.
Palisade is just as famous for its fruit orchards as it is for its vineyards and wineries. Most fruit is picked between late June and mid-September, when it's available at roadside fruit stands. For a fruit directory, harvest schedule, and map, contact the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, 319 Main St., Palisade (P.O. Box 729), CO 81526 (tel. 970/464-7458; www.palisadecoc.com).
