Palisade Weekend Guide! 

Welcome to the hidden gem of Colorado, y’all. Two years ago I stumbled across Palisade and couldn’t believe that we have our very own wine country so close by. If you don’t know this, we moved to Denver 3.5 years ago from Santa Barbara, CA and wine tasting was a regular occurrence on the weekends. Needless to say, I missed it and when I found out about this place I quickly booked us a weekend trip! It didn’t disappoint and I hope this will be a great resource for you to plan your own little getaway.

Where to Stay:  

Please let me save you the trouble and just plan to book with Spoke and Vine motel! It is the most adorable little spot and we couldn’t love the owners more. I will say, it’s hard to come by cute Airbnb’s in this town and this was an easy choice for us. It’s located in the heart of downtown and makes getting to the wineries and restaurants super convenient.  It’s small but everything you could need and the personalized service is above and beyond. Here is a peek inside the room we stayed in. They have bike rentals too!

I will say I did stumble across an airbnb that looked adorable that would work really well for larger groups! I wanted to be sure to include this since I think Palisade would be so fun for a group gathering – girls trip or bachelorette party! They even have alpacas, so it’s a win in my book.

Where to Eat:

Food is basically my lifeline and I love to find the best spots before heading out for a trip. Since Palisade is such a tiny town, the options are limited but I feel pretty confident in this list. With spoke and vine you do get a complimentary breakfast, so that’s something to keep in mind.  

Sliced O Life Bakery– this spot is quintessential and makes you feel like you’re in a Holiday movie. The food and service were both amazing and you really get a sense for that small town feel. Personal favorites *cinnamon twists and ham and cheese roll*. yum.

Pressed Coffee & Cocktails– We have only stopped here for breakfast but this would also be a cute evening spot as well. It’s on my list for next time. We loved their iced coffees and it’s a perfect spot to grab and go before you head out to the wineries. 

Palisade Brewing Company– This is a great spot to stop for lunch and has a great selection of pub food. We had the pulled pork and I don’t feel like you can go wrong with that. They often have live music and we were lucky enough to experience some dancing along with it! They have tons of fun beer options as well, in case you are ready to swap your wine for a fresh cold one! Highly recommend it!

Doirio’s Pizza– This wasn’t the best pizza I’ve ever had but it was good and hit the spot after biking around all afternoon! The place is cute and right in the middle of town. Grab a pizza, sit back in the diner-like restaurant, and soak up some of the wine you’ve been having! 

Food Truck at Restoration– DON’T MISS THIS. Book your reservation in advance since it fills up quickly. They have food trucks available and the food was incredible when we went. They have the perfect large yard to hang in and enjoy your lunch and wine. Such a fun experience!

Peche– We went to this spot when it first opened for brunch but now it looks like they serve high-end dinners starting at 5pm. From hearsay there is a renowned chef who works here and the food is supposed to be incredible. We loved our brunch experience and the restaurant is super cute. Plan a date night here! 

Where to Drink:

Believe it or not there are over 25 wineries and I haven’t been to every single one. I plan to make it to all of them but I have seen at least 15 or so! I’m making my way down the list. I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 but honestly I have enjoyed every winery we’ve visited for different reasons. I also feel like you should split up your days and make the most out of your trip based on location. For example, plan one day in town so you can bike or scooter your way through the wineries and another day where you are able to drive or take a party bus. Here are favorites and the ones we keep coming back to! 

Colterris– Hands down our favorite wine and might be my favorite winery as well. They have both a beautiful vineyard with an incredible lookout and also a cute little tasting room in another part of town. Perfect spot for a photo op and I recommend doing a tasting to get the full experience of all the wines. For the tasting room, I recommend getting their $25 picnic where you can select two large and two small items. Cheese and Salami, anyone? 

BookCliff Winery– This spot is picturesque and beyond peaceful with incredible views of the town. It’s a charming little spot and we loved visiting this and tasting their wines. 

Maison La Belle Vie Winery– If you visit on a hot summer day, make sure you sip their frozen wine and you’ll be quickly refreshed. It has a charming courtyard with bistro lights and tons of menu options. If you are lucky, they might have burger night which includes fresh local ingredients and a perfect meal option if you’re looking for that. Make sure to plan a reservation- it’s a popular spot!

Red Fox Cellars– We’ve been here every time we’ve visited and it’s a favorite of ours. They have great cocktail options that are delicious! It’s a laid back spot and a great place to pull out some games and enjoy your drinks! 

Restoration– I touched on this one already but this is a must in my opinion. Mainly because it’s one of the only wineries with a food truck and allows for a ton of space and live music. The grounds are stunning, too! Bonus they are pet friendly! 

Top off the evening: 

Peach Street Distillers– Great spot for everyone to enjoy a nightcap to close out the evening. Palisade is a sleepy town and closes down pretty early. Thankfully this spot stays open much later than the wineries and a fresh fruity cocktail is the move at this place!  

Final thoughts- I know there are lots of outdoor activities and other great places to see while in Palisade. I just focused on the food and wine since that’s more my speed. I have heard that floating the river or horseback riding is definitely worth the experience too. We are hoping to eventually get a property here since we love it so much, so I hope to update this with each visit! Here is a quick map (think it’s a little outdated) of the wineries and town businesses. Don’t forget to stop at the peach stand and take home some fresh peaches! 

We’ll be heading back late September for the wine festival, if you can plan a trip I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the west slope!  And if you’re into aesthetically pleasing things like I am, come check more of our favs here.