Destination – Grand Junction & Palisade

By Erin Chapman

It’s said that it is hard to please everyone but not in Grand Junction and Palisade, specifically when it comes to experiencing Colorado’s Wine Country at a group get-together or meeting.

With 22 wineries that have tasting rooms and four different ways to experience these wineries, Grand Junction and Palisade offer wine tasting adventures for groups of all tastes—as unique as the wines themselves!

A group enjoying wine by the vines. Photo courtesy of Grand Junction VCB.

A group enjoying wine by the vines.

Ways to Explore Colorado’s Wine Country

Float: The Colorado River from Palisade to Corn Lake State Park is arguably one of the most scenic stretches in the Grand Valley. Book a group trip with Palisade River Trips to float through the vineyards and orchards of the Palisade area. Take a guided trip or those with river experience may choose to rent a raft, kayak or canoe and self-navigate. The trip takes several hours depending on the river flow.

Luxuriate: Sit in the lap of luxury and leave the driving to someone else by booking a limousine or group bus tour through Colorado Wine Country. Choose from just a few hours or book the limo for a full day. Picnic lunch and dinner specials can even be arranged!

Stay:  Wine Country Inn offers local, agricultural products and farm-to-table creations.  One of the top 7 U.S. vineyard properties, and featuring their own private label wines.

Visit Grand Junction and Palisade wineries in the comfort of a limousine. Photo courtesy of Grand Junction VCB.

Visit wineries in the comfort of a limo.

Cruise: Plan a tasting tour on two wheels. The Grand Valley American Viticultural Area showcases the area’s local flavors and spectacular cycling opportunities. Follow the trail along the Colorado River from Palisade to the foot of the spectacular Colorado National Monument just west of Grand Junction. Please note that drinking and driving laws apply to cycling as well as driving.

The beauty of Colorado's Wine Country is best viewed while pedaling. Courtesy Grand Junction VCB.

The beauty of Colorado’s Wine Country is best viewed while pedaling.

Celebrate: Groups can toast the wines of Grand Valley by taking part in one of the many wine-related festivals throughout the year.

  • April: Girl Scouts Annual Cocktails & Cookies Creations, Two Rivers Winery & Chateau, Grand Junction. Eight of the valley’s most talented chefs will create one-of-a-kind savory appetizers using a famous Girl Scout Cookie as an ingredient. These creations will be formally paired with Colorado wine.
  • 4th Weekend of April and 3rd Weekend in May: Spring Barrel Tasting, Palisade. Highlights include behind-the-scenes winery and vineyard tours, gourmet meals, wine tastings and barrel samplings.
  • 3rd Weekend in September: Colorado Mountain Winefest, Palisade.
    This annual festival features food, wine, seminars, live music and a grape stomp.

    Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade. Courtesy Grand Junction VCB.

    Colorado Mountain Winefest in Palisade.

What if some in your group don’t drink? Not a problem! Several of our wineries are connected to local orchards that give tours of their facilities that give the agricultural background to not only fruit production but grape production as well. Did you know that the majority of grapes used in the production of Colorado wines are grown in the Grand Valley?

Z's Orchard in Palisade. Photo courtesy of Grand Junction VCB.

Z’s Orchard in Palisade.

Grand Junction can please groups year-round in Colorado’s Wine Country!

 

Erin Chapman is Sales Coordinator for the Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau and has enjoyed working with meeting groups that come to Grand Junction for more than 20 years.

Photos: Courtesy of Grand Junction Visitor & Convention Bureau.