Colorado Cuisine - Colorado - page 757

Colorado Wine Country
Though miners brought grapevines in the 19th century, cultivation was small-scale and ad-
versely affected by Prohibition. The practice was resurrected as recently as the 1960s, when
a Denver dentist opened the first Colorado winery using California grapes.
Today there are approximately 100 commercial wineries in the state, with most on the
Western Slope. Though the Grand Valley and West Elks near Grand Junction have the
largest concentration of vineyards, the area around Cortez and the Front Range are other
areas that are developing. Between 4000ft and 7000ft above sea level, these vineyards are
among the highest in the world. Sunny days, cool nights and low humidity cultivate what
locals call ideal conditions for grapes, though the growing season is markedly shorter than
in California.
As a result, faster-ripening varietals - such as Bordeaux, Rhone Valley, Merlot, Syrah
and Viognier - do well here. But you will also find Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and
many others.
CRUISING THE VINEYARDS
The main destination for Colorado wine country touring is the area around Grand Junction and Palisade ( Click
here ). Blue sky, red-rock country, this fledgling vineyard area has a homespun, desert feel that's a stark contrast to
the green hills of Sonoma. Here's how to start:
» Visit www.coloradowine.com to find out about upcoming festivals or special events.
» Download the agrotourism brochure and map at the Palisade Chamber of Commerce website
( www.palisadecoc.com ) - it's a handy guide to keep with you in the car.
» Mix it up - because how much wine tasting can you actually do in a day? Visit lavender farms and alpaca refuges
interspersed with vineyards on the dusty backroads of Palisade.
» Consider a do-it-yourself tour by bicycle.
» Dine at top-notch restaurants with Colorado wine lists and knowledgeable servers to research some favorites to
visit in person. We like Boulder's Salt, Grand Junction's 626 on Rood and Inari's A Palisade Bistro.