{openx:2}Often referred to as the “Heart of Colorado’s Fruit and Wine Country,” Palisade, Colorado, is world famous for its peaches. It also hosts 75% of the state’s premium wine grape vineyards. Situated at the base of the Grand Mesa on the Colorado River, Palisade is also in the center of outdoor activities in Western Colorado.

Palisade was named for cliffs or palisades of Mancos Shale north of town. These rock sculptures were formed 75 million years ago, when sand was deposited in a large inland sea. The Mesa Verde group of sandstone (to which the Mancos Shale belongs) thick layers of coal and shale. The sculptured appearance of the formations was created when the area uplifted and then was worn down by erosion, particularly the shaping done by the Colorado River.

Palisade and the surrounding countryside is ideal for growing peaches, grapes, and just about every other fruit and vegetable you can imagine. The unique terrain and a warm spring wind prevents crop killing frosts. With a 182-day growing season and an average of 78% of those days with sunshine, crops grow in abundance. Mid to late summer is the very best time to visit Palisade because just about every corner has a farmer’s market where you can get the freshest produce. And there’s nothing like a sun-warmed fresh peach for a wonderful, juicy treat. Around the middle of August each year, the town of Palisade has its annual Peach Festival (42nd Annual in 2010), which include an ice cream social, street dance, pancake breakfast, parade, and, of course, a dynamite farmer’s market.

Palisade offers a number of quaint Bed & Breakfast places for lodging as well as several inns and ranches. It also has some unique little restaurants where you can find yummy stuff like hand-crafted beers and soda, sandwiches with fresh local ingredients, and the bakery with its to-die-for fresh peach pastries.

As for outdoor activities, Palisade is within easy driving distance (two hours) of some great outdoor locations — the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the San Juan Mountains, Dinosaur National Monument and a dozen national forests.

If you like wine, then Palisade is the place to be in Colorado since it hosts 75% of the state’s premium wine grape vineyards. The Grand Valley’s microclimate — brilliant high altitude sun matures natural fruit sugars and cool nights retain acids — results in premium grapes for wine making. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Reisling grapes all flourish here. Touring and tasting at the vineyards and wineries is a great way to find the perfect bottle for your table. Below is a list of wineries and vineyards in the area!

BookCliffe Vineyards
Canyon Wind Cellars
Carlson Vineyards
Colorado Cellars Winery
Corley Vineyards dba Amber Ridge
Desert Moon Vineyards
Garfield Estates
Grande River Vineyards
Hermosa Vineyards, LLC
Meadery of the Rockies
Mesa Grande Vineyards
Plum Creek Winery
St. Kathryn Cellars

If you want to be in Palisade for your favorite fruit, here are the
ideal times to visit by category:

Peaches
Early Varieties — early July through August 25
Late Varieties — August 25 – September 10

Cherries
Sweet — June 20 – July 10
Sour — July 15 – July 25

Apricots
June 25 – July 5

Apples
Summer — July 25 – August 25
Winter — September 15 – October 20

Pears
August 15 – September 15

Grapes
September 9 – September 25