Palisade in Spring

Palisade Peach Trees in Bloom

The end of April and all of May, otherwise known as Spring, is a beautiful time to be in Palisade. The temperatures are not too hot, and the orchards are in bloom. The vineyards are starting to green out and the overall light of the valley is warm and friendly, it reminds me of the alluring light of Tuscany, Italy. 

I’ve mentioned my friend Laurie in a couple of posts thus far, so you won’t be surprised that she also appears in this one… We’ve been friends for 15+ years and I consider her my ‘adopted’ sister and as Sisstahs’, which is what we call ourselves, we are very close. In fact, I introduced her to Palisade in 2018, when my husband and I took her and her partner David to a Barrel Tasting (looking back it too took place in the Spring!) Earlier this year she purchased a property in Palisade, 19 acres to be exact. At one time it was a thriving vineyard, but sadly the grapes were not well taken care of and then with the brutal frost this past year they just didn’t make it. It has some dry land acreage, a barn, several other outbuildings, and a little house we affectionally call a cottage. This spring, we enjoyed a girl’s weekend at the beginning of May and then a couples’ weekend at the end of May which included Memorial Day. During these visits we worked on her cottage and the yard surrounding it getting it set up and usable until her contractors and designers could work their magic (it is under renovation now). In the afternoons we visited the local wineries of which there are many, including Plum Creek winery. 

Plum Creek Chardonnay and Pink Peonies

Plum Creek (www.plumcreekwinery.com) was one of the very first wineries that my husband and I discovered over 20 years ago and is the oldest continuously active winery in the state of Colorado. It makes its wines with 100% Colorado grapes! If you are in the area, the tasting room is located at 3708 G. Road, Palisade, Colorado 81526. The tasting room is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm. If memory serves me, they are now charging a nominal fee for tastings, I’d call (970-464-7586) to confirm this before heading out. If you are not in the area, their wines are also carried at several local wine shops and liquor stores in Denver including Argonaut Wine & Liquor on Colfax in downtown Denver. When I’m in the mood for a rich buttery, oaked white wine their 2018 Chardonnay Reserve is one of my go to wines! It pairs well with food and drinks well on its own. 

After making our social rounds to our favorite wineries and vineyards, tasting some beautiful wines along the way, we head back to the cottage to enjoy dinner al fresco on her outdoor patio (also currently under construction) and take in one of many breath-taking sunsets. In this picture we pulled together an amazing picnic (yes… another picnic!) of prosciutto wrapped Mellon, artisan crackers, Boursin cheese, dried apricots, fresh apples, Irish cheddar, Italian bologna, chocolate covered almonds, celery and carrots all paired with a Mesa Park Cabernet Franc. 

You can see the Mesa Park vineyard and winery in the distance in this photograph as Laurie’s property is located next to it. Brandon, who is the wine maker, grape grower and co-owner of Mesa Park with his wife Laura, is also working with Laurie to bring her land back to life! Mesa Park Vineyards is located at 3321 C Road, Palisade Colorado 81526 (www.wine@mesaparkvineyards.com), 970-628-9113. The tasting room is open daily in the summer months from 11 am – 5 pm. No reservations are required but there is a tasting fee of $10 - $15 that is waived if you buy a bottle. We (as in my husband and I and Laurie for that matter) are members of their wine club as we love many of their reds – I highly recommend purchasing a bottle or two! I should also mention that they just recently won the Best of the West Winery for 2021 – well done Brandon and Laura and to the Mesa Park team on an award well deserved! If you stop by, make sure you say hello to Daryl as he will greet you on the way in!

The beauty of the sunset light, landscape, fresh air (which is not something we have a lot of in Denver these days), peaceful sounds of the country which includes crickets and an occasional rooster in the far distance, the food, wine, and company are the many things that make Palisade a retreat like no other; all this is combined is what inspires Palisade Posh Living and my long range Palisade Posh relocation plan.