There’s a reason Colorado wine is consistently winning national awards and international recognition. An industry once unique to the western fruit-growing region has firmly planted its roots throughout our incredible state. You can now visit numerous areas in all four corners — and everywhere in between — to find a vintner offering something lush and delicious to sample. And many of these unique wineries offer so much more than just a tasting.
Photo courtesy of Zenzen Gardens.
1. Zenzen Gardens – Paonia
When visiting a winery, you are first and foremost hoping to find great wine. Zenzen Gardens in Paonia delivers. Serving vintner Alfred Eames’ prestigious award-winning Spanish-inspired creations, Zenzen has a taste for quality. If Eames’ vineyard, Puesta del Sol, is “the sunset,” this garden getaway is the sunrise. With a stunning view of the West Elk Mountain Range, the winery, and its historic barn setting, is often the spot for nuptials and special occasions, with catering, a private chef, live music on their mountain stage, and spa amenities. Zenzen is also a unique overnight destination with most of the same luxuries upon request. Within the immaculately landscaped grounds, you can stay in one of the cute cottages, or in the Cosmo or Zinnia glamping tent. Here, there is no roughing anything — it’s the ideal setting for a lovely night under the stars with wine, Spanish tapas, and all the modern and indulgent conveniences at your fingertips. zenzengardens.com
Photo courtesy of Brush Hollow.
2. Brush Hollow – Penrose (and Cascade)
Brush Hollow in Penrose grows 100% of its grapes here in our beautiful state, but that’s not the only fruit they are fermenting. Brush Hollow knows that there are a lot of flavors to be found in these parts. At this winery you’ll find dry and sweet whites, a variety of reds, fruit wines like Palisade peach, various ciders — depending on what’s in season — and wildflower, bourbon, and cinnamon-vanilla mead. The list of libations is long, and Brush Hollow’s love of Italian wine also runs deep. Beginning this year, Brush Hollow is organizing an adventurous trip abroad to old Italian wine country. Want to stay closer to home? Visit Brush Hollow’s new tasting room at the foot of Pikes Peak in Cascade. brushhollowwinery.com
Photo by Lee Holmes.
3. Sutcliffe Vineyards – McElmo Canyon Near Cortez
When you think of the Southwest, many iconic images come to mind. Perhaps you think of places like Canyon of the Ancients, the monolithic Ship Rock, and Valley of the Gods. Maybe you recall ancient ruins and historic dwellings like Mesa Verde and Hovenweep — places seeped in history and heritage. If you have ever had any interest in those magnificent sites and you have a desire to visit, you are in luck, as all — and many more — are just an hour or two from Sutcliffe Vineyards near Cortez. This secluded treasure in McElmo Canyon highly encourages exploration and hopes to be your luxury landing pad on your next trip to the Four Corners region. Sutcliffe is not just a sip-and-go kind of place. If the highly acclaimed wine doesn’t keep you around, you can stay in their luxury Tower Suite accommodations with views of Battle Rock Tower. Feeling outdoorsy? Book one of their luxury glamping options — complete with an outdoor kitchen— where you’ll sleep under the stars and wake to views of the Ute Mountains. sutcliffewines.com
Photo by Ashlee Crowden.
4. Salt & Acres – Fort Lupton
Salt & Acres is a place to get away from everything but the wine and food. Seated on 45 acres among statuesque cottonwoods, this country escape is host to summer concerts and events, and locally grown farm-to-table dinners that you can take your time with and enjoy right on the grounds. The dinners are prepared by the Forage Sisters, a culinary team that serves their multicourse family-style meals in geographic themes such as Spanish tapas, Mediterranean, and French countryside. Each meal features Salt & Acres wine, but is also accompanied by cocktails and beer from local Colorado distilleries and breweries. Guests are encouraged to stay and enjoy the moment, but if you just want to taste the wine, you can also pop by the tasting room or stop in the barn shop, which offers Salt & Acres products and goods including fresh flowers grown on property at their new flower farm, Prosper Fields. saltandacres.com
Photo courtesy of Claremont Inn and Winery.
5. Claremont Inn and Winery – Stratton
The Claremont Inn and Winery in Stratton imports grapes both domestically and internationally from countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, and France to make a variety of 30 bottle batches. You can try their wine any afternoon at a daily flight tasting. But if you stay a little longer, you can also indulge in a complete fun-filled staycation. In addition to a lovely night away with a gourmet three-course dinner and specialty breakfast the next morning, this nine-bedroom country inn offers activities including bocce ball, murder mystery games, a winery escape room, and cooking classes. Popular cooking classes, led by the Claremont staff, not only teach guests how to make delicious food to complement various wine, but also offer invaluable cooking tips and techniques that you can take home with you after your fabulous weekend. This fall, the Claremont Inn and Winery will teach classes on pizza, croissants, pasta, and sauces. claremontinn.com