By Joe Ross and Steve Graham

Some consider the Wine Country Inn to be the welcome sign to the Western Slope wine experience.

The Palisade landmark stands as a greeting to Interstate 70 travelers, and the venerable hotel has spread its footprint in the past year.

Richard and Jean Tally opened Wine Country Inn in 2008 after acquiring the land from Stephen Smith. Although Smith kept the adjacent Grande River Vineyards until June of 2021, the Tallys purchased the vineyards and winery last year.

With the complete package, the Tallys believe they have the perfect destination for weekend travelers, wine tourists, and those seeking a location for a wedding or other types of gatherings. “There is a whole different emphasis with the hotel and winery,” Jean says.

With the help of longtime winemaker Rainer Thoma, Jean predicts their wines will improve and impress visitors. “Rainer’s style is very European, Jean says, adding that he worked in Europe before taking over the reins at Grande River.

In addition to COVID-19, the Western Slope wineries experienced two years of harsh weather that destroyed most of the harvest. It forced vintners to purchase grapes from out of state and other vineyards in the area. “We were all scrambling and horse trading,” Jean says.

She said the winery will continue to look for the right combination of grapes to grow, which could include more cold-hardy varieties that might withstand shorter growing seasons.

“This terroir and this climate are so unique,” she says. “I don’t see how we can go wrong if we take care of it.”

Expect to find a dozen different wines available when visiting. The Primitivo, better known as a Zinfandel, is always popular. The Cabernet Franc is medium-bodied and balanced, with an earthy start. The Merlot is a dry, medium-bodied red featuring flavors of berries and plums. It pairs perfectly with pork, duck and mushrooms. The Meritage White is perfect for pairing with cheese and seafood. Or just pour a glass and sip away.

Wine Country Inn also boasts an upscale dining experience at Caroline’s, featuring locally sourced lamb, beef and produce prepared in the classic French tradition. Enjoy a bottle of Meritage Red with the beef.

The Tapestry Lounge, adjacent to the lobby, is a great place to grab a glass of wine or other drinks, along with a bite to eat. Hotel guests also can partake in a complimentary hot breakfast at The Tapestry.

And if a pro tip might be offered, keep an eye out for an oak chardonnay from Grande River in the next year or two. It’s one that Jean says she can’t wait to try.

If Wine Country Inn is the welcome sign to the Western Slope, wine tourists will enjoy digging even deeper into the soft beautiful landscapes that provide the backdrop for fantastic wineries. The following are a few examples of what to expect.

Red Fox Cellars in Palisade is more interested in experimentation and relaxation than impressing wine snobs and following any strict rules of traditional winemaking

“We’re simply out to make quality, delicious-tasting wine that is truly unique,” the website says. “We may never make the world’s most classically perfect Merlot, but that’s just fine with us.”

The tasting room is open every day, doesn’t require reservations, and offers various flights of wine and cider (which are discounted if bottles are purchased). Red Fox’s spacious patios have outdoor games and host live music and food trucks.

Carlson Vineyards crafts award-winning wines that are widely available around Colorado. The Palisade winery is perhaps best known for a cherry wine and the varied Laughing Cat line. A few cats might vie for your attention when visiting. The winery has been growing fruit and making wine since 1988, and has long been a champion of Colorado wine, helping with statewide organizations and events that help the Western Colorado community and boost other wine businesses.

The Palisade winery and welcoming backyard are open seven days a week, as is the tasting room in downtown Grand Junction.

Plum Creek Cellars claim deep roots as the oldest continuously operating winery in Colorado. Winemaker Corey Norsworthy appreciates both the challenges and the camaraderie of growing wine in Western Colorado.

“Wine is never a recipe — it’s not beer-making or cheese-making; you have to be on your toes. With every year comes a different structure of grape to work with,” he says. “I’ve stayed in the Grand Valley because of this community, and being part of it is something special.”

His wines are available statewide, but the Palisade winery is worth a visit for the sculpture garden and landscaping, as well as the airy tasting room.

Slaymaker Cellars in Idaho Springs is a meadery that operates as a workers’ cooperative and non-profit B-Corp. They use local honey to craft mead using traditional winemaking techniques. The tasting room on Miner Street has a cozy backyard with picnic tables and great views.

Vines 79 Wine Barn is perhaps Palisade’s only wine saloon, leaning into an Old West theme to serve up classic dry wines crafted from a family-operated two-acre vineyard. The patio is also rustic and welcoming. The tasting room is only open Friday through Sunday, but the wines are also available daily at Nana’s Fruit and Jam Shack in downtown Palisade.

Bookcliff Vineyards is an experiment in winemaking for a pair of engineers. The project has been successful enough to support a Boulder winery and tasting room, as well as a tasting room and vineyard on the Western Slope.

The Palisade tasting room hosts a weekly “Sunset Saturday” event through October, with live music and food trucks, starting at 5 p.m. The Boulder winery offers tours every Friday and Saturday.

The Storm Cellar is a boutique winery in Hotchkiss specializing in crisp white and rosé wines. The husband-and-wife winemakers make the best of the region’s challenging conditions.

“Our intense UV exposure at over a mile above sea level forces our grapes to form extra-thick skins to protect themselves, producing wines of extreme concentration and aromatic intensity,” the website boasts. “We moderate the tannins and bitterness that could arise by whole-cluster pressing all of our fruit, and we strive to preserve freshness through long, cold fermentations.”

Relax on the rustic picnic tables among their vineyards.

Restoration Vineyards will host “Band in the Barrel” concerts through October at its beautiful vineyards surrounded by peach and cherry orchards.

Co-owner Gary Brauns shifted from restoring cars to restoring vineyards when he bought the property in 2012 with his wife Linda.

Sauvage Spectrum crafts 26 varietals of 100-percent Colorado estate-grown wine.

“We are not interested in mimicking wines from other regions,” said Patric Matysiewski “We are developing grapes with the intention to produce the true taste of Colorado wines.”

Private and public winery tours are available by appointment at least three days in advance, and the winery also hosts occasional pairings, yoga sessions and more.