Colorado's Wine region thriving despite wild weather (Telluride daily planet)
By Sophie Stuber Planet Contributor
October 10, 2023
Even faced with climate change and harsh environmental conditions, Palisade’s winemakers are gaining recognition. Palisade is best known for its peaches, but grapes are becoming a key part of this region’s economy and agriculture.
Western Colorado’s wine region has been rapidly growing in recent years, producing better bottles from the area’s atypical terroir.
Located at around 4,700 feet above sea level, Palisade might seem like an unusual climate for wine, but winegrowers in the area have been able to harness the land to grow Rieslings, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other grape varieties. Palisade has the highest concentration of wineries in Colorado.
The natural area around Palisade creates a special terroir that brings some unique flavors to the wines.
“We’ve got that mesa that builds sugars and tannins, and the ancient seabed for minerality. We also have the second oldest water rights to the Colorado River, which is special,” Gary Braun, owner of Restoration Vineyards in Palisade, told the Planet.