When we think of wine, we often think of Napa Valley, the vineyards of Italy, perhaps even certain regions of Chile. Most of us, however, don’t think of Colorado. A state that is well known for beer, Colorado is one place where wine can easily be overlooked.
However, unbeknownst to many, Colorado isn’t merely a place for a brewery or two (hundred), it is also a place for many a vineyard. That’s right, butt out Bud, and cool it Coors, it’s time for Colorado wine to shine.
There is really no place in Colorado better suited for wine production than the Western Slope, specifically the city of Grand Junction. Wine in this region might not have the prestige of, say, wine from Spain (or the accent), but it certainly has its own uniqueness to offer the wine industry.
Grand Junction is known as Colorado’s wine country, a label that is well deserved. A little bit desert, a little bit mountain, a little bit country and, heck let’s say it, a little bit rock ‘n roll, the outskirts of the town are nothing short of beautiful tapestries of vineyard after vineyard. These vineyards, charming to say the least, produce high quality wine that is sure to give each drinker their own Rocky Mountain High.
Wine in Grand Junction is not quite as intimidating as the wines from other places, such as France. While the former is easy going, the latter goes around bragging about how it was once sipped by Napoleon. The Colorado wine industry is young, new, and exciting. Rather than turning up a nose to people who don’t know their palate from their pointer finger, this city embraces connoisseurs and beginners alike with one common chant: pull up a glass.
The wines here are varied. While Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay are dominant, Riesling, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc are also represented.
One of the best ways to experience wine in Grand Junction is to take a wine tour. From a tasting tour to a harvest tour, there is something on the Western Slope for every wine drinker. Come see for yourself. You, but not the wine, are sure to be spoiled.
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