Although wine might not be the first thing that comes to mind when Colorado is mentioned, the Centennial State has some great vineyards with the Western Slope town of Palisade being a great hub for lovers of wine to explore. According to Visit Palisade, Colorado’s ‘wine country’ has more than 30 places to check out.

There are a few places in the North Fork where the views can stop you in your tracks, even if you’ve seen them before. Azura Wine Cellars is one of the best. From the terrace, the valley opens wide beneath the West Elk Mountains, with a still pond below and long stretches of vineyards and orchards fading into the distance.

There is something about wine – how the grapes are grown, how the wine is made, the diversity of tastes and styles, how it complements food, how it promotes sociability – that generates a passion among so many. Marshall Vanderburg and I included.

Jessica Chevalier has been painting for most of her life, but recently, her work has taken on a more public presence, shaped by both place and persistence. Based in Delta and originally from Cedaredge, she draws heavily from the landscapes of the Western Slope, translating familiar ground into something more interpretive without losing its sense of place.

Sometimes, we get tough assignments. This isn’t one of them. State of Play: Yesterday, I had the opportunity to taste dozens of Colorado wines and talk to the makers behind the bottles at a private showcase in Denver. The following are my takeaways.

Within the dramatic landscape of Colorado’s North Fork Valley, the West Elks Wine Trail offers an elevated take on wine tasting. Between 4,500 and 7,000 feet above sea level, this small but mighty region is one of the highest wine-growing areas in the Northern Hemisphere.

A Colorado House committee rejected two attempts in the past two days to raise taxes or fees on beer, wine and spirits sales, heeding pleas from small brewers and distillers that additional costs could deal a significant blow to their already struggling sectors.

Set along the spine of the Continental Divide, Colorado is a high-altitude playground. And now the high-altitude destination offers another reason to visit. Although winemaking isn’t generally associated with the Rocky Mountain state, a wine scene is emerging amid Colorado’s natural wonders.

The Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE) proudly announces the launch of Colorado Cru, Colorado’s first statewide wine initiative designed to showcase the state’s distinctive viticulture, elevate winemaking excellence, and strengthen wine tourism across Colorado.

At the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—widely regarded as one of the most influential and competitive wine judging events in the world—Colorado wineries delivered a resounding message: the state’s wine industry has entered a new era.

Denver, tucked at the feet of the Rocky Mountains, is hitting its stride for wine and dining. The Colorado capital boasts one of the highest restaurant densities per capita in the United States, with increasing culinary diversity and a booming wine industry alongside.