By Kristen Kuchar

Colorado truly has become a wine lover’s state. For starters, there are roughly 150 wineries producing an eclectic mix of wines for every taste. Numerous award-winning restaurants feature excellent wine programs and countless wine bars to explore and discover the latest from local vintners. According to a Colorado Wine Industry Economic Impact Study from last year, nearly half (29) of the state’s counties are home to wineries. And production has more than doubled over the past eight years throughout Colorado. Wine visitors spent nearly $30 million in 2019 on products, hotels, restaurants and other related entertainment.

The following is a rundown of each area throughout the state where those visitors enjoyed the fruits of the vintners’ labor.

Photo courtesy of Carlson Vineyards, part of the Grand Valley Region

Probably the best-known wine region in Colorado, the Grand Valley Region, consists of Palisade, Grand Junction and Fruita, where there are more than 25 different wineries in the area. The fruit and wine byway provides an opportunity to incorporate another beloved Colorado pastime – biking. Riding a bike, or opting for a pedicab, is a popular way to navigate between the wineries while taking in the sights of vineyards and book cliffs. Palisade is also home to the Colorado Mountain Winefest, coming on Sept. 17, which USA Today named the best wine festival in the country.

The second federally designated American Viticultural Area in Colorado outside the Grand Valley Region, is The West Elks. This area is around the towns of Paonia, Hotchkiss and Cedaredge. West Elks AVA is home to some of the highest vineyards in North America. You’ll find almost a dozen wineries here, including Stoney Mesa Winery, Black Bridge Winery and Qutori Wines. Guests of the Stone Cottage Cellars winery can even stay right on the estate in the two-bedroom cottage to get a taste of vineyard living.

The Mile High City may be synonymous with craft beer, but there are plenty of opportunities to experience great wine here, too. Start with one of the urban offerings: Deep Roots Winery, Balistreri Vineyards, The Infinite Monkey Theorem, Carboy Winery, Blanchard Family Wines and Attimo Wine. The city is home to dozens of notable wine bars, including Noble Riot, which was named one of the best bars in America by Esquire, and BookBar, which is part wine bar, part book store.

Sprinkled throughout northern Colorado is a multitude of unique wine experiences. In Fort Collins, after 30 years of churning out award-winning beer, Odell Brewing Co. launched The OBC Wine Project. Ten Bears Winery in Laporte utilizes only Colorado-grown grapes in their wines, like the Poudre River Red. Sip wine aside the peaceful riverside at Sweet Heart Winery in Loveland or while strolling through beautiful gardens at Blue Mountain Vineyards in Berthoud. Boulder is home to Silver Vines Winery, Settembre Cellars, Vinnie Fera Wine and BookCliff Winery, as well as one of the best wine restaurants in the country: Flagstaff House.

In southern Colorado, the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City has been drawing people since 2002. Wine bars are plentiful throughout SoCo and include Wine Down By The River Wine Bar in Pueblo, Deerprint Wine in La Veta, and UVA Wine Bar in Colorado Springs. Wines of Colorado Creekside Dining in Cascade features local wines from Mountain Spirit Winery and Evergood Elixirs.

The higher mountain areas shouldn’t be forgotten when planning that staycation. A few of the excellent winemakers throughout the mountain region are Snowy Peaks Winery in Estes Park, Continental Divide Winery in Breckenridge, Vino Salida Wine Cellars in Poncha Springs, Vines at Vail Valley and Mountain Spirit Winery in Salida. In Aspen, The Little Nell has an award-winning wine program with more than 20,000 wines in the cellar.

Kristen Kuchar is a freelance writer covering food, libations, music and other Colorado gatherings.