Colorado Wine Country: Weekend Getaway to Palisade
A weekend wine experience awaits in western Colorado, and it’s well worth the three-and-a-half-hour drive from Denver. From beautiful wineries set at the base of plateaus to fresh, Colorado-sourced cuisine, there’s plenty to do, see, and taste over a weekend in Palisade!
Read on for a few of my favorite tasting rooms, restaurants, and places to stay. Plus, get insider tips to help you plan your trip!
Ten years ago, even five, you’d be hard-pressed to find a quaffable Colorado-made wine to taste, if any at all, in the big city. Today, thanks to a highly creative, innovative, and persistent industry that has evolved, the wines have found peace with their surroundings (as much as possible), and chances to taste quality Colorado wines are plentiful.
Boutique retailers and restaurants carry local wines, and special events like the Colorado Wine Walk hosted twice annually by Blanchard Family Wines in downtown Denver bring the bottles (and their makers) to the urban playground. It’s a lot of fun to watch the collaborative group of growers, winemakers, cellar teams, and service staff work together to broaden the footprint of Colorado winemaking in the cities.
Special events and tableside Somm recommendations are well and good. But when you’re ready to experience the real deal, pack the car and visit Colorado wine country.
Must-Visit Wineries
Restoration Vineyards
Restoration is an obligatory stop along your route. The property has a sprawling lawn with games and plenty of space to sit back and enjoy a tasting. The staff is super knowledgeable and friendly, and the wines are delicious. I recommend trying the Albariño, Barbera, and Merlot. If Stephanie, the winemaker/owner's daughter, is around, tell her I sent you!
Check out my recipe for Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Herbs paired with Restoration Estate Reserve Barbera. The wine is aged in French oak for 40 months. It's full-bodied with bright acidity and delicious notes of juicy dark berries, toasty baking spices, and smooth caramel. It's one of my favorite Colorado-made red wines!
Visit Restoration: 3594 E 1/2 Road, Palisade, CO 81526 | restorationvineyards.com | 970-985-0832
Sauvage Spectrum
One of Colorado's most important grape growers, Sauvage Spectrum supplies grapes for many of the region's producers, including Carboy Winery. It's one of those organizations where everyone in the area has some business with them and something nice to say.
The Palisade tasting room is spacious and provides an exciting look at the inner workings of an active winery. Outdoor seating areas at the back of the building invite you to kick back amongst the vines and enjoy the view.
In addition to selling their grapes, the company produces a diverse lineup of wines under their brand name. The range includes rich, robust reds that are benchmark for the area (located in the best red wine area of the region called the "VineLands"), as well as interesting sparkling wines. If you're a beer drinker, try the hopped pet nat. It's delicious, different, and completely Colorado.
Visit Sauvage Spectrum: 676 38 1/4 Rd, Palisade, CO 81526 | sauvagespectrum.com | (970) 464-2127
Carboy Winery at Mt. Garfield Estate
The Carboy team acquired and opened this gorgeous vineyard site, winemaking facility, and tasting room experience in the spring of 2022. With winery and tasting room locations in Denver, Littleton, Breckenridge, and now Palisade, Carboy is the fastest-growing wine brand in Colorado.
The team is so friendly, and the lineup of wines stands out with bold reds, rosé, whites, and bubbles you can't miss. They offer yoga and other special events on the deck overlooking the mesa and vineyards, and they have a private event space available for rent.
Visit Carboy Palisade: 3572 G Rd, Palisade, CO 81526 | carboywinery.com | (970) 464-0941
There’s a lot to discover
Palisade is just one of many destinations to experience Colorado wine. More vineyards and production facilities are around the state than most people realize! The three wineries above are places I have visited several times and are positioned relatively close to each other. You can hit them all over a day or two. Palisade is a hub and a great place to start, but there is lots more to explore! For a complete guide, visit Colorado Wine online and learn about producers, regions, events, and more. I've created this map for my favorite Colorado Wine Country stops to help guide your adventures!
Food and Drink
When dining in the Palisade area, the theme is fresh, locally sourced fare crafted with unexpected flavors. The restauranteurs hold one another to a standard I wish we saw more of in the major cities. Apart from the wine culture and natural beauty, the Western Slope is truly a destination for foodies from all over.
Pêche
Pêche is considered one of the better restaurants in the state, and I tend to agree after enjoying their excellent food, wine, and service. The cuisine is an homage to local produce and proteins, taking the concept of farm-to-table dining to new heights with creative, high-concept dishes in an unpretentious environment. Menus shift with season and vary depending on what’s fresh from local farms.
Dishes like the Agnolotti with English peas, basil, and speck prove that even a simple composition can knock your socks off. Unexpected options like the Kona Kanpachi, which they call “a journey through Thailand,” demonstrate the breadth of the team’s culinary capabilities.
The wine list features compelling bottles from local producers and makers around the globe, and the cocktail program is as chef-driven as the food. They get swamped, so reservations are strongly recommended. I’ve planned entire trips to this area around the restaurant’s availability. It’s truly an outstanding Colorado dining experience.
Visit Pêche: 336 Main St, Palisade, CO 81526 | pecherestaurantcolorado.com | (970) 464-4911
Fidel’s Cocina & Bar
Every small town needs a great Mexican restaurant, and Palisade is no different. Named for the family dog, Fidel's is a hub for gathering and enjoyment in the heart of the town. The menu consists of clean, sustainably sourced ingredients that take simple items like tacos and posole to new levels.
The owners pride themselves on offering a complete dining experience, saying, "You'll find neither watered-down personalities nor watered-down drinks here. So if you're in the mood for full-flavored food and fun, book a table."
From the menu, the deconstructed elote with flamed sweet corn, queso blanco, cotija, and housemade tortilla chips is divine, and the chile relleno is the best I've ever had. They offer a curated selection of agave spirits, and their cocktails are on point. For something unique, try the carrot margarita.
Visit Fidel’s: 113 W 3rd St, Palisade, CO 81526 | fidelspalisade.com | (970) 464-2888
Bin 707 Foodbar
If you make it to Grand Junction, stopping at Bin 707 is obligatory. The intentionally designed wine list offers a stellar array of Colorado wines and features key regions from around the world. The cocktail selection is creative and diverse, with intriguing options like the Desert Session featuring Juniper Jones Gin by The Family Jones distillery in Denver, Atost Mesa, Breckenridge Bitters, guajillo syrup, and egg white.
The menu features Colorado-sourced fare such as elk tartare, lamb tenderloin, and ruby trout rillettes. Like Pêche, this is a can't-miss Colorado restaurant.Visit Bin 707: 225 N 5th St # 105, Grand Junction, CO 81501 | www.bin707.com | (970) 243-4543
Le Snack Palisade
This street food-themed food truck can be found nestled on the patio at The Ordinary Fellow Winery. When lunchtime rolls around, this is the place to refuel. Savory bites like the Griddled Camembert served with radish and fennel salad, warm honey, and crackers are great to share. Healthy items like the We Got The Beets salad featuring sunflower tahini, feta, pickled fennel, sprouts, pasilla honey, and whole wheat toast over-delivers. The chicken tacos, pork smashed burger, beef, and lamb gyro are batting one hundred for something hot.
Visit Le Snack: 202 Peach Ave, Palisade, CO 81526 | lesnackpalisade.com
Dango Burrito
Another mobile restaurant lunch option, Dango Burrito will reframe how you think about food trucks. Dango is a family-owned operation featuring fresh cuisine sources from the family’s farm and other local farmers. They focus on a curated fusion of diverse global flavors and adapt their menu regularly to offer seasonal, inspired dishes. Follow them on Instagram @dangoburrito to see the latest offerings!
Visit Dango Burrito: 213 Main St, Palisade, CO 81526 | dangoburrito.com
Places to Stay
Palisade offers plenty of well-appointed hotels, inns, and fantastic Airbnb options to lay your head down during your visit. Prepare yourself for remarkable vistas and the hospitality that makes you feel at home no matter where you’re visiting from.
Spoke and Vine Motel
Initially constructed in 1955 and renovated in 2019, the motel is a short walking distance to the fun and flavors of downtown Palisade. They offer complimentary breakfast, locally roasted coffee, and cruiser bikes for rent. Plus, they happily welcome their guest’s dogs. It’s an adorable accommodation with all the creature comforts, including air conditioning.
Stay at Spoke and Vine: 424 W 8th St, Palisade, CO 81526 | spokeandvinemotel.com | (970) 464-2211
Dancing Moon Bed & Breakfast
Set on nine acres of countryside farmland, Dancing Moon is a comfortable, quaint, and affordable place to stay in nearby Clifton. Located less than a ten-minute drive from downtown Palisade, you can access wineries and other attractions. Their website even has fun suggestions for Things To Do while you’re in the area (other than wine tasting).
Stay at Dancing Moon: 568 34 Rd, Clifton, CO 81520 | dancingmoonbnb.com | 970-434-3779
Plan Ahead
Look at the Palisade Chamber of Commerce’s events calendar before you select dates for your visit. The area has tons of special events throughout the spring, summer, and fall. If you’re visiting to participate in one of these, great! However, if you prefer to taste wine and explore the area at your own pace, events can detract from your visit. In some cases, an event might even mean specific wineries and other attractions aren’t open to the public.
If you plan to visit during the week, check the websites or call the places you want to check out to ensure they’ll be open to the public.
It never hurts to call the wineries to make sure they don’t have a special event planned during your stay.
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