Guide to Palisade
Palisade is Colorado’s Wine country and is full of beautiful wineries, stunning rocky cliffs and has an adorable town to explore. It’s a 4 hour drive from Denver and makes a great 3-day weekend location! Best time of year to go is June-October. I’ve shared my 3 day Itinerary, with all my favorite wineries and sights, below:
Day 1
Leave from Denver (8:00 AM) to Palisade (Arrive at 12 PM) (preferably, head up on a Saturday).
Lunch at Maison La Belle Winery with wine tasting from 12:30-2:00 (make a res)
This was my favorite winery in Palisade so even if you’re just passing through, definitely stop here. They have a full lunch menu with tons of options as well as optional wine tasting. Make a reservation here.
Drive to Sage Creations Lavender Farm & Shop (15 min drive) stay from 2:15-2:40
These beautiful lavender fields are a great spot for photos! They also have a cute gift shop full of homemade lavender scented products.
Suncrest Orchard Alpaca Farm & Shop (5 min drive) stay from 2:45-3:00
Drive to hotel and check in (15 min drive) I highly recommend staying at the Wine Country Inn. Cute hotel, great location, tasty included breakfast and has an excellent pool and hot tub.
Afternoon at the pool or hot tub 3:30-5:30
Complimentary wine samples at Wine Country Inn for guests from 5:30-6:00
Grab dinner in town. There are 2 options I’d recommend: Peche and Peach Street Distillers. Peche is a $$$ restaurant run by a mechelin star chef, reservations required in advance. Peach Street Distillers is $$ spot with great cocktails and bar food like pizza and burgers. Both are great spots depending on your budget.
Maison La Belle Winery
Maison La Belle Winery
Sage Creations Lavender Farm
Suncrest Orchard Alpaca Farm
Sage Creations Lavender Farm
Wine Country Inn
Peach Street Distillers
Day 2
If you are here on a Sunday, don’t miss Palisades Sunday Farmers Market. This market is found in downtown Palisade and has several food trucks, drinks, handmade crafts, gifts, jewelry, produce, flowers and trinkets. Go from 10:00-12:30.
Next up is an afternoon wine tasting tour. Located within the market, you will find a bike rental shop called Palisade Cycle and Shuttle. Spend the afternoon biking through the vineyards and stopping at different wineries along the way. (Tip: get the e-bikes). I’d recommend stopping at all the wineries below (in order) but depending on time, there are several other great wineries in the same area that can be added in. Most wineries in Palisade are walk in only.
Varaison Vineyards
Restoration Vineyards
Carlson Vineyards
Have dinner in downtown Palisade at Fidel’s Cocina & Bar (Make res).
Restoration Vineyards
Carlson Vineyards
Day 3
Head back to Denver and add in one last morning activity before heading back. In Palisade, you can paddle board on the Colorado River, go hiking, or check out the farmers market if there on a Sunday. There are also several stops to make on the way back to Denver. We opted to stop at Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, my guide for the park can be found here.