We Had a Grape Time

Although we got to see plenty of gorgeous scenery on our recent trip to Palisade, the main reason for the trip was to visit wineries in the area. On the afternoon we arrived, and over the next two days, we stopped at a number of places -- and here are some of the highlights.

Maison La Belle Vie Winery was an impulsive stop on the first night -- it was literally just across the street from where we were. It had a lovely outdoor patio area that would have been ideal just a few weeks earlier before the evening chill was so strong. They also had (among other good options) a tasty port-style wine that I enjoyed enough to buy a bottle. Regrettably, I didn't snap a picture there (since the sun had already set), but I'll swap out for an image of the rainbow that welcomed us to the area earlier in the afternoon.

On our first full day, we got to go to university. We stopped by Varaison, hitting it at just the right time where the owner and head winemaker Ron personally oversaw our tasting. And in his own words, "I'm not just going to shove a menu across the counter at you." Instead, he did a deep dive on exactly how to get your palate to perceive different flavors, and then how to drill in on exactly what about the wine is contributing to the flavors you like. The goal: once you know what you like and why, you should be able to find more wines that also suit your tastes.

Along the way, Ron taught us about De Long's Wine Grape Varietal Table, how alcohol content corresponds to fruit ripeness (and what numbers you should be looking for, depending on your own preference for fruit-forward wines), and much, much more. He also regaled us with stories of his past work for a massive beer conglomerate, a later stint in California wine country, and more. Ron seems to have done it all, and wanted nothing more than to share his experience with others.

Two Rivers Winery was another spontaneous stop, this one on day two, after our drive through Colorado National Monument. This winery is in Grand Junction, just minutes from the Monument, and was picturesque inside and out. We had the French-style chateau completely to ourselves, sitting in a big hearth room with a window to the distillation room and lined with paintings. Their highlight was the less common Baco Noir grape, grown right on their property, and great both on its own and in a complex red blend.

 

The final winery of the trip was Restoration Vineyards. It's location further away from the cliffs made for a sprawling view in any direction, which you could enjoy in their spacious yard peppered with inviting clusters of chairs. It was a beautiful setting for a full glass, and a sort of "summation" of the whole trip.

Palisade turned out to be a lot more like Napa Valley than I'd have ever imagined. Though not every turn revealed a new "wine Disneyland," you could certainly find just about anything here in Colorado that you might look for there -- whether that's a beautiful view, a sprawling estate, a hidden gem... or just a tasty wine. In all, the trip was an excellent reminder that from time to time, it's great to play "tourist" close to home.