Winery Tour Weekend Getaway- Palisade, CO

You don’t have to travel to California to experience the rolling hills of vineyards. There are over 30 different wineries to explore just in Palisade, CO and the surrounding area.

There are acres of vineyards to explore along the fruit and wine byway. You can choose to visit by foot, bike, tour, or shuttle service.

Me and a few of my friends wanted to get away for a weekend without spending much money. Therefore, we packed our bikes and camping gear and drove 2-4hrs (we came from different areas) to Palisade, CO for a winery tour.

We wanted to keep it cheap, so we booked some campsites and brought our bikes. If you aren’t on a budget, there are plenty of hotels and bike rental companies or winery tours that will accommodate you as well. We had so much fun the first year, that I was able to convince Jake to go the following year.

Here is all the information for planning a weekend getaway to the various Palisade Wineries.

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

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List Of All The Palisade Wineries

There are over 30 different wineries in the Palisade area. (Some are located in nearby towns of Clifton & Grand Junction Area)

The Palisade Wineries generally open between 10 and 11 am and close between 5 and 7pm. Most wineries have a tasting room and offer 3-5 different wines. Some of the wine tastings are completely free, but some may charge a small fee of $5+.

But you should carry cash to tip the sommelier! 

Additional Wineries South Of Palisade, CO (in Cedaredge, Paonia, Delta, & Olathe):

1. Alfred Eames Cellars
2. Black Bridge Winery
3. Cottonwood Cellars
4. Garrett Estates Cellars
5. Mountain View Winery
6. Stone Cottage Cellars
7. Stoney Mesa Winery

Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries near Palisade, CO:

If you’re not a wine enthusiast, then you might find some of these other options better suited for you.

• Palisade Brewing Company
• Peach Street Distillers
• Talbott’s Cider Company

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Transportation To The Different Palisade Wineries

There are actually numerous different ways to get around to the different Palisade Wineries.

Biking Around To The Different Palisade Wineries

My personal favorite option is biking around to the different Palisade Wineries. The one negative of this is you have to choose wineries that are closer in distance if you want to hit multiple wineries in one day.

You also need to be careful and monitor how much you drink, so you are able to bike home safely and legally. If you aren’t from the area or don’t have bikes, there are a couple companies in town that rent bikes.

Bike Rentals In Palisade, CO:

• Palisade Cycle & Shuttle: When renting with Palisade Cycle & Shuttle, you can choose between a 7-speed country cruiser bike or an electric bike. Bike rentals are for the whole day, and must be returned by the end of the day unless other arrangements are made. They also offer a shuttle service. They can drop you off anywhere in the area with your bikes, so you only have to pedal one way.
• Paddle Boards Adventure Company: There are two different options for bike rentals with Paddle Boards Adventure Company. You can either rent an e-bike for 4 hours and go on a self-guided tour, or you can join a guided wine tour. The guided wine tour includes an e-bike rental, a tour guide, all tastings, and a behind-the-scenes tour.

Shuttle Services In Palisade, CO:

Choose A Designated Driver:

Another great option is having a designated driver to take you around to the different Palisade Wineries. If you have a member of your party who doesn’t want to partake in the wine but wants to be around for the fun, they can then drive you around to the different wineries! 

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Where To Stay In Palisade, CO

Now that you picked your transportation, it’s time to book your accommodation in Palisade. There are tons of great options, whether you want to enjoy the great outdoors on a camping expedition, book a vacation rental home in the heart of town, or prefer a luxury bed in a hotel.

Best Hotels Near Palisade, CO:

• Wine Country Inn
• Palisade Wine Valley Inn
• Spoke and Vine Motel
• Dreamcatcher Bed and Breakfast
• Vistas and Vineyards Bed and Breakfast
• Best Western Grande River Inn & Suites
• Grande Vista Hotel

Awesome Vacation Rental Homes Near Palisade, CO:

• The Sweet Peach Studio Apartment (Sleeps 4, simple, modern apartment)
• Charming Bungalow in the Heart of Town (Sleeps 4, comes with 2 bikes)
• Barn house (Sleeps 6, hot tub, and views, located in Clifton)
• LARGE HOUSE in the middle of WINE COUNTRY (Sleeps 12, good for large groups, close to town)

Camping Near Palisade, CO:

Palisade Basecamp RV Resort:

This campground is modern and a cute place to stay if you are trying to stay on a budget or enjoy camping outdoors. This place has bathrooms, showers, laundry, a general store, etc.

Book a campsite At Palisade Basecamp RV Resort

James M. Robb Colorado River State Park:

The James M. Robb Colorado River State Park campground is about 10-15 minutes (by car) from Palisade, therefore it isn’t the easiest option. Although it is along the river, so it is very peaceful. This place does have bathrooms and showers.

Book A Campsite At James M Robb Colorado River State Park

Using Harvest Hosts:

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Our Suggested Route To The Best Palisade Wineries Via Bike

Me and my girlfriends had the best time biking around to the different Palisade Wineries.

Varaison Vineyards & Winery → Talon Winery At St. Kathryn cellars → Talon Wines At The Meadery → Grande River Vineyards → Red Fox Cellars → Maison la Belle Vie Winery → Carboy Winery at Mt. Garfield Estate → Plum Creek Winery 

Here is a helpful Google Maps of our route.

We hit a lot of wineries, but not all of us drank at each one. Remember if you are on a bike, that you will be sharing the road with vehicles at times. Please be extra cautious!

Most of the wineries close before the sun goes down, so you should be able to make it back safely to the place you are staying before dark.

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Our Favorite Winery in Palisade, CO

One of the best palisade wineries we visited was Varaison Vineyards. We feel their presentation is very well done and super informative. They inform you about the different wines and how to properly taste.

For example, did you know you are supposed to drink white wine down the middle of your tongue and red is supposed to be split down the sides of your tongue? They do an experiment with you and it’s amazing to try out the difference.

Their wine tour guides are super knowledgeable and spend a decent amount of time giving you the tasting. Be sure to tip these guys extra! 🙂

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Best Places To Eat In Palisade, CO

Brix 13

We were suggested to check this place out by one of the vineyards, and we were so glad. You can add this stop to your bike tour and fuel up before indulging in more fantastic wine. It is a European Bistro located downtown Palisade, CO. We highly suggest getting the Croque Monsieur and the Turkey Pesto! 

Le Snack

Le Snack is a food truck located next to The Ordinary Fellow Winery. While you may think food truck and say I’ll pass, this is truly a hidden gem in Palisade, CO. They serve food that will make your mouth water.

Pêche. Restaurant

If you are looking for a unique culinary experience, then Pêche. Restaurant is just what you are looking for. From the ambiance, plating of the food, service, it’s all top-notch.

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Takeaway For The Best Palisade Wineries

Palisade, CO is such a beautiful town in the Western part of the state. Doing this winery tour one weekend was so much fun, and we highly suggest it! Be safe and if you are riding a bike, make sure to take it easy, or if you want to hit a lot of wineries, hire a shuttle/carriage!

These sommeliers work for tips, so be sure to tip them for the knowledge they share! Also, don’t forget to pick up a Palisade peach (they are delicious). We hope you enjoy! 

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