Hello readers! Thank you again for subscribing to my adventure newsletter. Although my goal is always to write at least once a month, at the beginning of the month, sometimes life gets in the way. Does that ever happen to you? We’ve had quite a few visitors in town and I’ve been entertaining adults and kids. If you follow me on instagram you know I’m all for little day trips and weekend getaways for a little self care. So if you are in need of a little self-care, may I suggest visiting Paonia, Colorado.
Where is Paonia you ask? It’s about an hour and half from Grand Junction. It’s also our preferred detour to Crested Butte in the summer and a great stop over after visiting Kebler Pass in the fall. The population is only about 1300, but between Paonia and Hotchkiss there’s about 10 wineries all with amazing views. We decided last weekend to take a little day trip to the area and experience a few and now I’m passing that information along to you! Fun fact, Paonia is known for growing the grapes they use in Pinot Noir, so many of the wines you taste in Palisade use grapes from Paonia.
First stop: Qutori Wines
For $5 you can taste any five wines on their list. They also have a bakery and cafe so this is a nice spot to eat lunch outside or you can browse the attached art gallery with local art. I really loved their rose and bought a bottle to take with us. This winery was dog (on the patio) and kid-friendly and had a nice casual vibe.
Second stop: Azura Cellars & Gallery
Azura is kid-friendly but not dog-friendly as their is a dog on the premise. Their tasting is complimentary and, as far as ambiance goes, probably had the best of all the wineries we visited. They have nice tables outside with comfy chairs, a stunning garden, an art gallery and there’s a little pond on the property where people have hobby yachts. We didn’t taste any food here, though it looked amazing, but I did buy a bottle of their Chocolate wine sauce for a dessert for my Telluride retreat. You may not see the chocolate sauce on the menu, but definitely ask to sample it as I think it makes an amazing gift as well.
Third stop: Black Bridge Winery and Orchard Valley Farms
Their tasting is also free, but we didn’t sample any of the wine since there was only one employee doing the tasting and it was crowded. We did, however, sample their aged balsamic vinegars and infused olive oils. They had a peach balsamic vinegar that was amazing and I also bought it for my Telluride retreat. Even if you don’t like wine, this business has a variety of cheeses, meats, mustards and other treats you can purchase and then enjoy by the river. While there isn’t an amazing view of the valley here, this place was dog and kid-friendly because you can hang out in the shade on the property by the river and enjoy a nice little picnic.
Fourth Stop: Big B’s
By our fourth stop, we were hungry and wanting a bit more than cheese and crackers. So we headed to Big B’s Fruit Co. which has an amazing property and menu. If you live in Colorado, you might recognize Big B’s from their lemonades and apple juice and cider on your grocery store shelves. You can camp on the property, pick your own fruit, swing on the outdoor rope swings, enjoy live music or taste their hard ciders. Their restaurant and store have a variety of products, especially since they have campers on site who might need to stock up on gear. You can really spend a nice afternoon here letting the kids run around and play. If you’re looking to only make one stop and have the kids and the dogs, this isn’t a bad place to spend the day.
Final Stop: Endless Endeavor Winery and B&B
This is not only a winery, but also a Bed and Breakfast (the B&B is not dog or kid friendly). We met the owners, as we were the only people there, and they were so lovely. Their tasting is complimentary for their regular wines and $5 for their estate and specialty wines. We had a bottle of the Traminette, which the owner said was a crowd favorite, and were not disappointed. The views from this winery were amazing and it’s tucked away so you feel more like you are drinking at someone’s house than at a winery. If you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy a tasting or have a bottle, this is for you.
That was our day in Paonia! This hidden gem of a town is where you can find a lot of local Colorado wine and produce and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. While it can be hot during the day, it cools down more at night than the surrounding western slope area, and there’s plenty of options to play in the river flowing through town. There is also a brewery in town and many other family friendly options to explore and I think visit Colorado put together a nice schedule here.
Thank you for stopping by and taking a wine tour with me! My favorite winery in Palisade where I take guests is usually Maison La Belle Vie but it’s not dog or kid friendly. They do have wine slushies and charcuterie boards, so if you are stopping by Palisade on your way to Paonia, make sure you enjoy the wineries Palisade has to offer as well!
Cheers!