Grand Valley Wine Country

Recently, I spent a long weekend in Palisade with my mom. I needed to drop off and pick up artwork at Craig Gallery and she is also contemplating relocating to this beautiful little town. While there I took her around to some of the wineries for tastings and to replenish our wine cellar. I call it a cellar but in reality, it is a closet I’ve refurbished so that we can store our wine there. It has terra cotta tiles, and pine bottle racks that I stained a golden honey color so that they complimented the faux Venetian plaster finish that I painted on the walls. I know it’s only a closet, but I’ve always wanted a wine cellar so why not make a proper one!

In any case, we visited a variety of wineries both my favorites and some that I thought she would enjoy as she likes sweet wines. While we were there, a neighbor texted me who also happened to be in the area and asking for recommendations of which I provided. This exchange gave me the idea for this week’s post! So, without further ado here is a list of my favorite wineries and vineyards in Palisade, some that are known for their sweeter wines and some that might not be my favorites but that have solid reputations and would be worth a visit for sure.

I should note that I personally prefer dry reds, oaky chardonnays as well a dry crisp Rose’, and a good port. I know that is not everyone’s cup of tea or in this case glass of wine which is why I’m also including a list of places that are known for their sweet wines, etc… 

Kim’s favorite wineries and vineyards in Palisade:

Bookcliff Vineyards

670 39 Rd
Palisade, CO 81526
(970)- 261-0071
bookcliffvineyards.com

(Tasting room only) – they make their wines in Boulder and have a tasting room there as well.

They offer dry reds and whites, and Rose’ as well as a selection of sweet wines. We are currently members of their wine club. In the summer you can taste and sit outside, and they have a beautiful view of the Book Cliffs! Andy and I have picnicked there on several occasions.

Colterris Winery

3907 N. River Rd.
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) – 464-1150
colterris.com

They offer dry reds, whites, and a to die for Rose’ called Corral. I also tasted a lovely crips Pinot Gris last year from them and I am hoping they will have it again this year. This location is also my favorite place to picnic in the summer. They have a second location called Colterris at the Overlook which was their original location, and it is tasting room only. We used to be members but decided to dial back a few years ago because we had a few too many wine club memberships. We’ve talked about rejoining but haven’t done so yet.

Maison La Belle Vie

3575 G Rd.
Palisade, CO 81526
(970)- 464-4959
maisonlabellevie.com

They have some lovely dry reds and several tasty port style wines that I’ve enjoyed over the years. They also serve food and have a tasty Friday Night Burger that is one of my favs! They source the beef locally and it is incredibly yummy! We were also members there too but again dialed it back so we could explore some other wine clubs.

Mesa Park Vineyards

3321 C Rd
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 628-9113
mesaparkvineyards.com

We have known Laura and Brandon the owners, winemaker and master grape grower for a number of years now and are current wine club members. They have some beautiful dry reds, a lovely new Rose’ and have white wines that are on the sweeter side. They too offer port style wine as well! 

Plum Creek Cellars

3708 G Rd
Palisade, CO 81526
(970) 464-7586
plumcreekwinery.com

They were one of the first wineries we visited some 20 years ago and to this day I love their Chardonnay reserve! They also have other whites and reds, but the chardonnay is my favorite and when I’m in need to replenish my chardonnay stock I always make a point of getting a bottle or two of their buttery reserve!

Red Fox Cellars

695 36 Rd, Unit C
Palisade, CO 81526
(970)- 464-1099
redfoxcellars.com

We are current members there as they have several beautiful, bold, dry red wines that Andy and I both love (the Bourbon Barrel Merlot is to die for!) and they have a lovely chardonnay that I also enjoy! Andy’s not a white wine drinker so the whites are always for me. They also make some tasty cocktails that are wine based and my favorite from that line up is their Old Fashion. They too make port style wines as well as a nice selection of hard ciders if that is your thing. Andy enjoys their cinders. The owner also has a Springer Spaniel so of course we are fans!

Restoration Vineyards

3594 E ½ Rd
Palisade, CO 81526
restorationvineyards.com

We enjoy their wines as well as their owners and wait staff… super friendly! They have both an oaked and an unoaked chardonnay, you know which one I prefer as well as a great line up of dry reds that both Andy and I enjoy. Last year they also had a beautiful sparkling Rose’ that was quite enjoyable. We’d like to become members and our friends Phil and Kat joined when they visited last year but the level, we want to join is currently full, so we are holding off until it reopens. Restoration also offers concerts on the green in the summertime which are a lot of fun!

Graystone Winery

3352 F Rd
Clifton, CO 81520
(970)-434-8610
graystonewines.com

Graystone is known for their ports and their reputation is well deserved! If you like port, this is an absolute must. We have several years of their port in our cellar.

Now onto the sweeter wines (other than the ports)… 

Colorado Cellars

3553 E Rd
Palisade, CO 81526
(970)- 464-7921
coloradocellars.com

They offer award winning sweet wines of which mom likes many! If you enjoy sweet wines this is a must on your tour of wineries in Palisade.

Debeque Canyon Winery

351 W. 8th St
Palisade, CO 81526
(970)-464-0550
debequecanyonwinery.com

They also make dry wine (I’ve enjoyed their tempranillo over the years), but it is their sweet wine that mom really loves so that’s why I’ve listed them under the sweet wine section of this post. They are also one of the oldest wineries in the valley with Bennett the winemaker and owner being one of the original founders of the Grand Valley wine industry!

Carlson Vineyards Winery
461 35 Rd
Palisade, CO 81526
(970)- 464-5554
carlsonvineyards.com

We didn’t make it to Carlson’s (mom hit her wine purchasing limit) but I’m including them on the list because they too are known for their sweet wines, although over the years they have also started making dry reds. Again, if you enjoy sweet, fruity wines Carlson’s should be on your list of vineyards to visit!

The above wineries and vineyards are not the only ones in Palisade there are many others including Carboy Winery, Hermosa Vineyards, Two Rivers Winery (they are actually in Grand Junction), Grand River Vineyards, and Whitewater Hill Vineyards which are also worth checking out. I’ve just focused on my favorites and those of my mom’s and neither of us are sommeliers so keep that in mind. That said, hopefully I’ve piqued your curiosity in regard to Colorado Wine Country and perhaps you might decide it’s time to check out the Grand Valley. Cheers to you if you do!