Located on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Palisade is a charming town that is well known throughout the region for its vineyards and its spectacular peach orchards. With an abundance of beautiful nature, great bars, restaurants, breweries, and wineries just ready to explore, visitors to Palisade might just find themselves coming back for more.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Palisade is from late spring to early fall (May through September). This is when vineyards are in full swing, farmers markets thrive, and the weather is perfect for cycling, hiking, and wine tasting.
How to Get There
- By Car: Palisade is located off I-70, about 15 minutes from Grand Junction and 4 hours from Denver.
- By Air: Fly into Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), then drive or take a shuttle to Palisade.
- By Train: Amtrak’s California Zephyr stops in Grand Junction, a short drive away.
Where to Stay
- Wine Country Inn – Elegant lodging surrounded by vineyards with a pool, restaurant, and wine tastings.
- Spoke and Vine Motel – Trendy, bike-friendly boutique motel near downtown Palisade.
- Dreamcatcher Bed and Breakfast – Cozy rooms, homemade breakfasts, and peaceful garden settings.
Top Attractions
- Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway – Scenic route through orchards and vineyards, perfect for a drive or bike ride.
- Colorado Riverfront Trail – Paved paths for walking, running, or biking with views of the river and mesas.
- Mount Garfield Trail – A challenging hike with rewarding views over the Grand Valley and Book Cliffs.
- Downtown Palisade – Quaint shops, tasting rooms, and galleries in a walkable, Western-style downtown.
1. Explore the Palisade History Museum
Before we dove in to explore all the lovely wineries and vineyards in Palisade, I wanted to first stop at the Palisade History Museum to dive into local history.
The Palisade History Museum might be small but it packs a punch when it comes to showing off the history of the town.
You will find Palisade History Museum housed in an historic log-cabin building which was built prior to 1939 and which formerly served as the office of a freight hauling company.
Today the little museum is filled with interesting articles, photos and documents which tell the story of the 1900’s in Palisade.
The museum is primarily staffed by volunteers and is open to the public 4 days a week, year round. I suggest you call ahead to verity hours.
Palisade History Museum, 3740 G Road, Palisade, CO 81526, 970 242 0971
Visit Local Vineyards, Distilleries & Wineries
2. Visit Carlson Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room
At Carlson Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room, the owners and operators believe that wine is something that should be enjoyed by everyone, not just the wine snobs or the select few.
Their winery and tasting room is homey and welcoming. It's run by people who are passionate about wine and excited to share that passion with you.
The backyard, which is edged by the vineyards themselves as well as by gorgeous flowering gardens, is a perfect place to relax and sip wine in the Colorado sun. Or you can choose the comfy tasting room which stands ready to accommodate you in all weather.
461 35 Rd, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-464-5554
3. Savor local wine at Hermosa Vineyards
This cozy little winery produces amazing red wines like Cab Francs, Merlots, and Syrahs, as well as some whites including Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Viognier, Rkatsiteli, and Muscat Blanc.
Also on their list of offerings is Hermosa Vineyards's unique and delicious cherry wine, a fortified dessert wine made with local cherries grown right on the premises.
A visit to hermosa Vineyards’ tasting room means an intimate and personalized experience often brought to you by the owner himself, who takes his guests through a guided tour of the wines and products he has on offer, as well as the winemaking process.
3269 3/4 C Road, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-640-0940
4. Taste unique wines at Talon Wine Brands
The family behind Talon Wine Brands has been involved in the winemaking industry since the 1970s, with Ravenswood Winery in California.
In 2005, the Foster family opened the Colorado Wine Room, which served some of the most delicious wines from Colorado, with varieties both well-known and virtually unheard of on the menu. Soon after, they began making their own wines under the Talon label, named for Glenn Foster’s love of falconry.
The winery began in a small 12’ x 15’ room, but today it has grown to operate in a large facility, and the Talon label has grown to also include Meadery of the Rockies and St. Kathryn Cellars.
Their wines and meads are diverse and delicious, with something for everyone.
3701 G Rd, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-464-1300
5. Take a tour of Peach Street Distillers
Based in the heart of Palisade, just off of Main Street, Peach Street Distillers creates small-batch spirits using some of the abundant fruit and grains that are grown in the region.
Their products, with their striking, attractively designed labels, include Jackelope Gin, Colorado Bourbon, Smoke Rye Whiskey, Goat Vodka, and of course, a variety of fruit liquors.
Peach Street Distillers makes amazing Pear, Peach, and Apricot Brandies in tribute to the thriving orchard industry of Palisade, as well as fruity Eau de Vie in the above flavors as well as Plum and Cherry.
Grappa, Agave, Amaro, and other products round out their offerings, and there’s no better way to try them all then in Peach Street Distillers’ tasting room, which is open daily. You can take a guided tour of the facilities.
144 Kluge Ave, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-464-1128
6. Visit Varaison Vineyards and Winery
At Varaison Vineyards and Winery, guests can indulge in a wine tasting from the winery’s private cellar.
Varaison creates Old World-inspired wines that have been featured at the paris Wines and Spirits Expo, where they were compared in a blind tasting to some of the most prestigious wines in France and did very well.
A visit to Varaison Vineyards and Winery will show guests the love and passion that goes into their winemaking, at their gorgeous estate which includes a peaceful rose garden, a patio seating area with a firepit, and a wood-fired pizza oven where visitors can enjoy some delicious food with their wines.
405 W 1st St, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-464-4928
7. Visit the tasting room at Mesa Park Vineyards
The big red barn that is the home of Mesa Park Vineyards looks nothing less than picturesque, framed as it is against the neat rows of the vineyards and set against the backdrop of the impossibly blue Colorado sky and the rocky peaks and mesas of the Western Slope of the Rockies.
Mesa Park produces delicious estate-grown wines, and many of their reds, including the Family Reserve Red, Cab Franc, and Merlot have all won awards.
In Mesa Park Vineyards’ tasting room, visitors can enjoy a taster or a glass of some of the products that are grown and created right here, surrounded by the big wooden casks where new wine is being aged.
3321 C Rd, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-628-9113
8. Sip Wine at Red Fox Cellars
The family that runs Red Fox Cellars prides itself on creating unique and adventurous wines.
None of them were formally trained in the art of winemaking, but the masterminds behind Red Fox are not afraid to experiment, and in doing so feel they have perfected their technique of winemaking for a bold and exciting taste in each of their products.
You can judge for yourself in Red Fox Cellars’ tasting room. Try wines, ciders, and wine cocktails in a comfortable and homey environment.
The tasting room’s hours change depending on the season, so it’s best to check their website before making plans to visit.
695 36 Rd, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-464-1099
9. See the art at The Blue Pig Gallery
Downtown Palisade’s premier art gallery is a great place to shop for a souvenir of your time in Palisade, or just admire some of the amazing works of art that are always on display.
The Blue Pig Gallery exhibits a collection in a myriad of mediums including paintings, blown glass, sculptures, photography, and much more.
You can purchase jewelry, accessories, ceramic pottery, and other lovely gifts to take home as keepsakes or give to someone special.
101 W 3rd St, Palisade, CO 81526, Phone: 970-464-4819
Plan Your Trip