Grand Valley is a prime grape growing region. The soil is rich and well well drained. The growing season is long. In recent years, the Grand Valley has developed a reputation for fine wines. There are wine festivals, and vineyards open for wine tasting year round. Visitors to the Grand Circle have learned to stop in Grand Junction and taste the culinary delights along with breath taking scenery.
The best way to learn about Colorado wines is simply to read the web sites from the local vineyards and wineries. If you have a web site dedicated to the wines of Western Colorado, please list it.
Canyon Wind Cellars (www.canyonwindcellars.com) in Palisade Colorado. Plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot were established in the early 90s. The winery was built in 1995.
St. Kathryn Winery (www.st-kathryn-cellars.com) located at exit 42, I-70, near Grand Junction, Colorado, opened in August, 1999 and is dedicated to the memory of the winemaker's mother, Kathryn Strothman.
Book Cliffs Vineyards (www.bookcliffvineyards.com) Situated just west of the DeBeque Canyon, across from the Colorado River and underneath the BookCliff escarpment, our vineyards benefit from evening winds that prevent frost and provide moderate growing temperatures.
Whitewater Hill Vineyards (whitewaterhill.com) Whitewater Hill Vineyards provides wineries and other wine grape consumers with premium Colorado-grown grapes. The site has information about the vineyard and wineries using the grapes.
Stoney Mesa Winery (www.stoneymesa.com) Information on the Stoney Mesa Winery and Ptarmigan Vineyards in Cedaredge, Colorado.
Carlson Vineyards, Palisade, CO (www.carlsonvineyards.com) Carlson's Vineyards makes fine wines that are fun. The site has information on winery tours, the history of the vineyard and ordering information.
Colorado Wine Industry Development Board (www.coloradowine.com) ColoradoWines.com site offers tours, maps and has a time line for the wine industry in Colorado.
Garfield Estates (www.garfieldestates.com) A winery in Palisade, Colorado.
Wine Fest (www.coloradowinefest.com) - review WineFest is an annual festival of the vine in Western Colorado.