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Having explored wine regions around the world, I decided it was time to explore more of my own state and visit Colorado’s very own wine country — located in none other than Palisade, a small agricultural town about four hours west of Denver, right next to Grand Junction. So off I went with my best friend…
Were we glad we went? Yes. Would we go again? …Maybe.
It’s absolutely worth a visit — especially if you live in Colorado or are looking for an intro to wine travel without leaving the state. That said, if you’re used to Napa or France-level experiences, you may find Palisade a little underwhelming. I don’t say that to be a wine snob, although yes, most Colorado wines are probably not going to impress the well-traveled wine connoisseur — but the accommodation options are a bit sparse, the town itself is very small, and it’s incredibly difficult to get around if you choose not to drink and drive. I probably wouldn’t build another four-day weekend around it, but I would happily stop by again during peach season on my way back from Ouray or Grand Junction to enjoy the other thing Palisade is famous for: those legendary Palisade peaches.
Where to Stay in Palisade
We stayed at the Colorado Wine Country Inn, one of the nicest traditional hotel options in town. It comes with a small pool, decent restaurant, free continental breakfast, and a tasting room (Grande River Vineyards) just a short walk away.
Would we stay there again? Maybe. If you want a pool, have a car, and don’t mind driving everywhere — this might be a good option for you. While comfortable, it’s not exactly walkable to downtown Palisade as advertised. At 1.3 miles away with no shade cover and full sun, it’s a bit of a trek. We were honestly surprised there was no shuttle service to town, the bike rental shops, or even dinner — something you’d expect from hotels in almost any other U.S. wine region.
We passed some really nice AirBnB’s during our weekend travels, so that’s a great option to explore. Our recommendation if you’re not tied to a pool? Consider an AirBnB, B&B, or small hotel closer to downtown Palisade. The Spoke & Vine Motel actually looks very nice and much more central. It’s probably what I would look into next time. For me personally, the convenience of being able to walk to dinner, to rent a bike, or to go shopping is just worth it — because I don’t mess around with drinking and driviing.
Getting Around Palisade
Transportation in Palisade was far more complicated than we expected — and that’s putting it lightly. If you’re used to the ease of hiring drivers in Napa, Sonoma, or even France, be warned: rideshares are practically nonexistent here, and car services are scarce.
Our hotel had no shuttle, and Uber/Lyft drivers are all based in Grand Junction, so they’re unreliable at best. Honestly, it felt like most people were driving themselves — which isn’t ideal in wine country.
If you’re not keen on making a friend your DD, your alternatives are:
- Palisade Pedicab (open-air, bicycle-powered cabs — but many of the wineries are outside their range, which I’ve noted on my winery list belor)
- Pali Tours (an open-air safari truck)
- JR’s Carriage Service (horse & carriage)
- Palisade Trolley (hop-on/hop-off trolley with a set list of stops)
- Absolute Prestige (stretch limo)
- Bike rentals
You can see what I mean by limited.
Most tour options are four to five hours long with pre-set winery stops, although many offer pricier private options where you can create your own itinerary. Just note: not all wineries are accessible by every mode of transport due to distance and speed limitations.
We ended up using Palisade Pedicab one day and the Pali Tours safari truck the next — both around $85 per person. The pedicabs are slower and have a smaller radius, but they’re gentler and more enjoyable for short distances. We also loved that they offered $10 rides to/from downtown in the evenings, and our amazing driver (shoutout to Corinne!) became our go-to for dinner rides.
Palisade Wineries: Where We Tasted
Instead of booking a tour with pre-selected winery stops (which often seemed to be chosen based on location and convenience), I curated our route based on recommendations from winery owners in both Denver and Palisade — plus a bit of personal research. Tastings at most Palisade wineries are under $20 per person, which is refreshing!
Colterris: A must-visit and one of the best wineries in Palisade. I’ve been to two of their three locations in town, both excellent:
- The main winery is a leafy oasis with picnic tables, shade trees, and family/pet-friendly vibes.
- The Overlook offers more mesa views, though it’s less shady.
Their third location focused on providing a fuller library of all their wines, but I think is less picturesque, so I haven’t been. Even at the two locations I mentioned, their wine lineup is top-tier for Colorado — from crisp Sauvignon Blanc to White Cabernet “porch pounders,” rosé of Malbec, and award-winning reds.
Carboy: If you’ve been to Carboy in Denver or Littleton, you know the wine is solid. In Palisade, you’ll find more of their sparkling selection, plus a cool tour showcasing their state-of-the-art bottling machinery. No grassy picnic area here, but there’s a rooftop patio with views. Don’t miss their Second Friday “bubbles and hat-making” nights (but double-check they’re still doing this at the time of reading this post) — such a fun event.
The Blue Beryl Winery: A beautiful, boutique winery run by a mother/daughter duo. The daughter — an art school grad — creates the whimsical label designs and sells her artwork at the winery. The tasting room is modern and airy with chic decor, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a relaxing patio. Definitely try their Chenin Blancs and (if available) the white wine lemonade.
Sauvage Spectrum: Sauvage Spectrum is shaking up the local wine scene with over 26 hand-harvested varietals, wine cocktails, and frosés. The setting is casual, but upbeat — think indoor/outdoor warehouse — and they host everything from boozy brunches to tapas nights. It leans a little more “party winery,” and we loved the energy.
Restoration Vineyards: One of the more upscale (aka “boujee”) wineries in Palisade, and it delivered. Think plush lounge chairs, shady lawns, a fire pit, food truck, and a view of the mesa. The tasting lineup includes two whites, a rosé, and three reds — but the sparkling rosé stole the show. Bonus: check their calendar for live music nights. Note: this one’s outside pedicab range.
Carlson Vineyards: One of the OG wineries in Palisade — and a must for cat lovers. Their labels feature feline designs, and the property is home to three friendly winery cats. It’s quiet, relaxed, and charming, with a peaceful patio near the vines. I will say though, they tend to have a lot of sweeter wines, so I’d recommend this for dessert wine fans (especially if you’re interested in Palisade peach infusions). Carlson and Restoration are close enough to visit together (but also out of pedicab range).
TWPlaas / TWP Winery: A hidden gem with South African roots and warm hospitality. Located off the beaten path, this winery also has its farmhouse accommodations — so you can stay at their charming location for your entire trip. The tastings are a full 2-hour experience including six wines and a generous charcuterie board. It’s the priciest of the bunch at just over $60 per person, but the vibe is worth it.
Downtown Palisade
Downtown Palisade is cute — but small. I wouldn’t dedicate a full day to exploring it, but it’s definitely worth a quick stroll.
- For local shopping, check out The Blue Pig Gallery and Harlow.
- The town’s brewery and distillery are also within walking distance, if you’re not already full of wine.
There are two standout dinner spots downtown — and only two, in my opinion:
- Fidel’s — A lively spot with tacos, margaritas, and a great outdoor patio. I personally loved the pozole the most. Fidel’s is hit-or-miss in terms of wait time, but it’s still wise to book a few days in advance — especially on weekends.
- Pêche — A fine dining gem that feels like it belongs in Napa. Exceptional food, wine (not just local), and service in an intimate setting. Book this one a month ahead.
Final Thoughts
This trip was not sponsored by any winery, hotel, or business mentioned. All opinions are 100% my own.
Is Palisade worth visiting for wine lovers? Yes — especially if you live in Colorado or want a relaxed, affordable wine travel experience with beautiful views and friendly people. Just go in with the right expectations, and make sure to plan ahead for transportation.
Have questions or want help planning your own Colorado wine trip? Reach out anytime — I’m always happy to help!
