Wednesday, ice cold,15 deg. F (- 9 C), but sunny. We started our day in Palisade, only a couple of miles east of Grand Junction. The city is known as the Peach and Wine capital of Colorado, and nestled along the Colorado River, wedged between mountains and vistas. Along the Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway in summer fruit stands are lined up, and inbetween farms and orchards are dozens of wineries. Much more than we remembered from our visit eight years ago!
Our first stop was at Suncrest Orchard Alpacas & Fiber Works,where the owner, Mike, gave us a tour. The company specializes in alpacas, fiber processing, and finished alpaca products, all on premise, in their own mini mill. The alpacas are standing on a pasture outside the mill, guarded by two watch dogs, and have a good life. We learned about the advantages of alpaca wool and could feel how fine and soft their wool is. Our tour ended in the shop, where wool, scarves and caps - partly knitted by the owner and his family, partly produced by the recently acquired circular knitting machine. I had to buy one,,,
At Colterris - one of the best wineries among dozens – we met with Scott, the owner, at their overlook with a great view of the valley, close-by their peach orchard. Their peaches have an excellent reputation, not only because the Obamas visited this orchard and Michelle picked peaches herself. Unfortunately, no peach season in winter, but the wines, we got to taste, were good compensation. All their wines are 100 % Estate Grown, even sometimes differentiated between clones. All wines are produced from 100% Colorado grapes grown in the own estate vineyards, part of the Grand Valley AVA. On the winery tour we met the two winemakers, had some barrel tasting, and, especially got to love the Malbec and their extraordinary White Cabernet Sauvignon. Also, we got a chance to try their cans, good quality wine, no junk, in cans, esp. for bikers (very popular!) and other outdoor freaks who don't want to carry a bottle.
Palisade has a quaint little downtown area, including the cozy Palisade Café and public artwork, but, also, more unique places to offer: Sprigs & Sprouts Lavender Farm - lavender and aquaponics - is one of them. We got a quick tour of the innovative lavender farm (lavender field in the snow on the picture), which includes a gift shop with lavender produce and a tasting room with over 60 flavors of infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars. The underground aquaponic greenhouse was a feature we haven't seen before. "Aquaponic" has something to do with a closed water/nutritional circle of fish farming and greens cultivated in hydro culture. Didn't have time yet to find how it is done exactly,,,
Red Fox Cellars, our next stop, was special in regard to its wines, aged in bourbon barrels (besides regular wines) and it is as well unique because of its many ciders, with different flavors, like chile, hop and others.
From wine to beer and spirits: In Palisade Brewing Company, we met with head brewer Danny Wilson. Since 2010 they are known for innovative American style beer (great IPAs!) and operate a down-to-earth restaurant and bar in the brewery. Across the street: Peach Street Distillers, known for "real booze", especially for the Goat Vodka, Jackelope Gin (our favorite for years - thanks Barb!), whiskies, grappas, brandies and more, made with fruits and grains from local producers.
Last stop on our culinary tour, back in GJ, was Enstrom Candies, founded in 1919 and opened in 1929 as an Ice Cream Company. Today, Enstrom Candies remains a family business with a “Candy Kitchen”, where every batch of the traditional chocolate almond toffee is still made by hand.
Finally, we met another interesting character: brewer Zorba Proteau, a young, hip and highly energetic person, responsible for the beer at Rockslide Restaurant and Brewery, founded in 1994. After dinner and beer tasting, he gave us a "tour" in the small brewery, in an adjacent building. The beers aren't canned or bottled (yet) and the production is small, but good, and, highly creative.
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