Thousands gather for Colorado’s biggest wine celebration

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) – September 20, was the 34th annual Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade.

The Winefest has run for more than three decades; growing from just a few wineries and a couple hundred attendees into one of the largest festivals of its kind.

“The event has grown considerably over the last 34 years. We started out in the Veterans Memorial Park here in Palisade in 1992, with just a handful of wineries and a few 100 attendees. We’ve grown considerably; we have close to 4,000 attendees celebrating Colorado wine here in Riverbend Park,” said Cassidee Shull, Executive Director at Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE).

More than 40 wineries, cideries, and meaderies poured unlimited sips.

With entertainment ranging from grape stomping to live music and silent disco. Beyond the fun, the event also supports the state’s grape and wine industry.

“Everything is all going back towards the industry each year through a grape conference we run in January at the Grand Junction Convention Center,” said Shull.

One vineyard owner from Cortez, Colorado said he looks forward to seeing all the people who come out for the festival.

“This is our 35th year of having a vineyard. We come here, it’s slightly terrifying, the number of people, but once you’re past the terror, it’s amusing,” said John Sutcliffe, Sutcliffe Vineyard.

Local businesses also raised their glasses to the festival. One liquor store has sponsored the event for the past few years, making sure it remains a Grand Valley tradition.

“I think everyone just loves an excuse to get out and drink wine. I think that’s the most exciting part of it, that you can go out and drink all these different wines all day long and enjoy yourself that way,” said Brandi Pollock, Owner of Fisher’s Liquor Barn.

With visitors coming from across the state and around the world, organizers said the festival not only highlights Colorado’s wine industry but also keeps support close to home.

“A lot of them are family run and operated, and all of that money stays here either in the valley or with our Colorado winemakers: just keeping it local and supporting our local producers. It makes such a big difference for our local community here in Palisade and is just a great celebration of Colorado wine,” said Shull.

For more details on what was available at the 2025 Colorado Mountain Winefest, click here.