Let’s be honest, when you think of American wine, the default is to think about the Napa Valley in California. As the largest wine country in the US, it’s become synonymous with weekend getaways with friends and top-quality vintages. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that Napa is busy and expensive.
There are actually dozens of great wine regions all around the US. From the two major wine regions of Oregon to the Napa of the Desert in Arizona, there are plenty of alternatives. However, if you’re looking to combine a wine adventure with outdoorsy pursuits, there’s one region that needs to be on your radar.
Located near Grand Junction lies the Napa Valley of the Colorado Rockies. This fertile land has been growing amazing wine, peaches, and lavender for generations. In typical Colorado fashion, this town is surrounded by excellent hikes and cycle paths, allowing you to get the best of both worlds – you can work up a sweat on the trails and then reward yourself in the tasting room afterward. So, what can you expect from a trip to Colorado’s underrated Napa dupe? When’s the best time to visit, and what wine varietals can you expect?
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Colorado’s Outdoorsy Wine Region To Put On Your Radar
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Red grapes ready to be harvested at a vineyard in Palisade, Colorado.
Situated just 10 miles away from the bustling city of Grand Junction is Palisade, Colorado. This town is largely considered to be the heart of Colorado wine country and has a long and proud agricultural tradition. In fact, Palisade is also known as the “Peach Capital of Colorado”, for its abundant supply of stone fruit and annual Peach Festival in August.
However, the biggest draw for visitors to the area is undoubtedly the wineries and vineyards. With 38 wineries in such a small area, you’re spoiled for choice. Of course, the wine bars and restaurants in the town itself serve up locally sourced cuisine and fine wines.
Palisade’s wineries specialize in a variety of wine types, including both grape and fruit-based varieties. Visitors are likely to sample everything from Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah to Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay on their adventures, depending on the wineries you choose to tour.
There are plenty of wine tours that you can jump on, or alternatively, you can hop on a rented bike and follow the trails. The route around the famous vineyards and orchards is known as the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, and there are several different cycling and driving loops that you can take between the various tasting stops, including Vines 79, known for its Old West wines, as well as classic wineries like Colorado Cellars Winery and Savage Spectrum Winery.
Palisade, Colorado Details
Population
2,602
Nearest City
Grand Junction, CO
Nearest Airport
Grand Junction Regional Airport
Number of Wineries
38
As Palisade isn’t as famous as its Californian counterpart, it’s often cheaper to get accommodation and tours here. There are traditional chauffeured wine tours, bike and shuttle tours, horse-drawn carriage tours, and even a pedi-cab that can pick you up and take you between the wine bars and your hotel after a night out.
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Vineyard ready for harvest in Palisade, Colorado
Of course, if you’re heading to Palisade, you need to embark on a wine tasting or orchard tasting tour. The area is famous for its high-quality fruit-growing conditions, and it’s something the locals are very proud of. It’s relatively easy to do a self-tour of Palisade wine country. Most of the vineyards in the area detail their open cellar door times and state if you need to book in advance or can just show up.
If you’re looking for a keepsake of your time in this beautiful region, head to the Blue Pig Gallery. It specializes in work by local artists and often has pieces depicting the local landscape in breathtaking style. It’s located in the downtown area, so it’s perfect to wander around after a quick coffee or as you dip in and out of the independent stores.
For outdoor explorations, you’re spoiled for choice. The local favorite is the Palisade Rim Trail, which offers outstanding panoramic views and has historic petroglyphs along the way. At just 3.2 miles for the out-and-back journey, it’s a family-friendly short hike that takes around an hour and a half.
For something more challenging, try the Mount Garfield Trail. Despite only being 3.4 miles long, the steep 2000ft elevation gain makes this a challenging workout. The bulk of the steepness is in the first mile, so once you get past that section, you’ll be able to catch your breath. On average, it takes anywhere between two and four hours to complete.
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How To Get To Palisade
Getting to Palisade is really straightforward. As it’s just a 20-minute drive from Grand Junction, where the closest airport is, it’s super accessible, whether you jump in a taxi or hire a car. Given that cycling to the wineries is a popular transport method, you might not even want to hire a car for this trip – it’s totally feasible.
If you’re on a budget, you can get a bus from Grand Junction to Clifton and switch onto another from Clifton to Palisade. The whole journey takes 40 minutes and costs just $3 for both buses one-way. It’s also a more sustainable way to travel than hiring a car, and when you’re in such a naturally beautiful place, it reminds you to take care of the Earth!
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Downtown Palisade, Colorado, CO, USA
However, if you’re coming from further afield, wheels might be helpful. It’s a 3-hour and 40-minute drive from Denver, and the bus from Grand Junction to Denver takes around 5 hours and 35 minutes. Of course, this opens up the flight options as Grand Junction Regional Airport doesn’t have a ton of routes.
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The Best Time To Visit Palisade
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Palisade, Colorado, CO, USA
The best time to visit Palisade is likely in the fall months. This is harvest season, so the town is a hive of excitement with new wines being created and the crop of delicious local produce making its way to the restaurants. It’s always great to visit vineyards in the fall harvest season as there’s more energy around the place, and you can see the wine-making process from start to finish.
If you’re looking to hike, summer is a great month to visit. It’s warm and dry, making it the perfect outdoor adventure conditions. Summer is also when you can look forward to the Palisade Peach Festival, which is one of the biggest events of the year. This is in August, so if you want to visit during this period, book your accommodation and tastings far in advance to avoid disappointment.
Carol M. Highsmith, Wikimedia Commons
Vineyard in Palisade, Colorado
Spring is also a beautiful time to visit as the lavender fields coat the landscape in purple. The aroma is spectacular, and it’ll make you feel like you’re in the fields of Provence! It’s also when everything is starting to come alive, so the seasonal produce is getting seriously tasty.
Population
5.685 million (2020)
Founded Date
August 1, 1876
So, if you’re looking for an affordable and less crowded alternative to Napa, head to Palisade, Colorado. Known for its amazing wine, orchards, peaches, and lavender fields, it’s a food and drink haven, surrounded by gorgeous mountains. What’s not to love?