Press Room
Taste-Trotting: Palisade
A Gourmand’s guide to road-tripping in the Rockies.
Denver Magazine, September 2010 – Everyone knows the pint-sized town of Palisade for its peaches, but the town of just 2,500 people is also home to cherries, apricots, pears, and grapes. With the abundance of fruit, it’s fitting that this fertile region plays host to the Colorado Mountain Winefest. Every September, winemakers from around the state descend on Riverbend Park to pour their latest releases for thousands of attendees. This year, 56 of Colorado’s 90 plus wineries are participating, making for a stellar opportunity to learn which wines are helping put the state’s young viticulture industry on the map (September 15–18; coloradowinefest.com). Whether you hit Palisade for this festival or some other getaway weekend before the growing season ends, the area is a must-visit for any Colorado foodie. Here’s what not to miss while you’re there.
Before you head to the tents for unlimited wine pours on September 18, burn some preemptive calories during this annual 25-mile bike ride through wine country. While you could ride the route any day of the year, Tour de Vineyards makes it feel like a party. You’ll pedal past endless rows of fruit trees and grapevines that butt up to the sandstone-capped Book Cliffs. With just one steep climb, gently rolling hills, and an aid station at Carlson Vineyards (one of 10 wineries along the route), this is a great event for casual cyclers ($40 in advance; emgcolorado.com).
Peach Street Distillers
As micro-distillers pop up across the state, Peach Street has become a darling of Colorado bartenders. Best known for his Goat Vodka and Jackelope Gin, head distiller Dary Lindig also makes bourbon from Olathe sweet corn; fruit brandies from area pears, plums, and peaches; and grappas, in partnership with Debeque Canyon Winery, from Gewürztraminer and Viognier grapes. Peach Street’s tasting room holds regular bar hours, staying open until 2 am on weekends, so don’t miss the chance to sample these Colorado-made spirits (tastings complimentary, cocktails from $6; 970.464.1128; peachstreetdistillers.com).
Garfield Estates
While the Western Slope has become known for Rhône grape varietals in recent years, Garfield’s Jeff Carr has preached the advantages of growing Syrah and Viognier in this area for a decade. Carr planted these grapes in 2000 and 2001, respectively — and you can taste these additional years in his wines. The tasting room for this 3,000-case-a-year winery is open to the public year-round, but on Sunday during the Winefest, Carr also offers production tours, which include a look at his vineyard, stainless steel fermenters, and an Australian-made grape press (tastings complimentary; 970.464.0941; garfieldestates.com).
Clark Family Orchards
The winding roads surrounding downtown Palisade are littered with colorful signs that point to farmers’ garages, orchard sheds, and other roadside venues for buying fresh produce. One of our favorite stands is that of Clark Family Orchards, a sixth-generation operation whose founders first planted Alberta peaches here in 1897. You’ll find the stand just east of town on the south side of Highway 6 & 24. This September, look for Bartlett pears; Shady Lady tomatoes; green chiles; and Cresthaven, JH Hale, and Glowing Star peaches ($30 for half bushel of peaches; 970.464.0418; clarkorchards.com
Palisade Café & Grill
In such a small farming village, there are only a few restaurants to choose from. “If you eat out three times a week, you’ll be done for a month,” Peach Street’s “Moose” Koons says endearingly. While Red Rose Cafe and Inari’s bistro are certainly noteworthy, the more informal Palisade Café & Grill is our favorite — there’s something irresistibly charming about it. We’re not alone: The place, which feels like a breakfast bakery, is equally packed for lunch and dinner. The menu is a bit eclectic — offering everything from green chili to a Greek salad to a seared ahi tuna entrée — but everything is made fresh with loads of love. Do as Koons does and scarf down the Tri Tip Dip, a play on the French dip sandwich ($9.75 for this sandwich; 970.464.0657).