Two months ago, sitting at a table at Creekside Cellars, something happened: I became a believer in Merlot again. Not just any Merlot, but Colorado Merlot. The movie Sideways did a lot of things: It overhyped Pinot Noir and helped Merlot. Yes, you heard me, it helped Merlot. Sure there have been numerous reports of its demise at the cash register, but it seems to have woken up the makers of pure, unadulterated Merlot.
Along the banks of the Germany’s Rhine River, in a wine region renown for its Rieslings, lies the crumbling remains of Brömserburg Castle. This Medieval tower houses the Rheingau Wine Museum and a collection of 16th and 17th century screw presses, or heavy wooden frames used to squeeze the juice out of grapes for fermentation. The museum pieces resemble the same types of agricultural machinery that a very clever local named Johannes Gutenberg no doubt saw while growing up in nearby Eltville am Rhine.
Estes Park is known for a few things, namely it being the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and having elk stroll into town and hang out on the golf course. There’s also the matter of a hotel made famous in a certain Stephen King movie.
There's more to Palisade than wine and peaches. The Western Slope hamlet offers mountain biking and hiking trails, geological wonders, a distillery and brewery, art galleries and even a few good spots to grab a bite. Not bad for a teeny mountain town three-and-a-half hours from Denver. I usually come for the vino, but after this most recent trip, I am now starting to understand the rest of life in Palisade can be good indeed.
In short time, Garrett Estate Cellars could become Colorado’s largest estate vineyard. With 35 acres planted and more on the way, the potential is there.
Along the banks of the Germany’s Rhine River, in a wine region renown for its Rieslings, lies the crumbling remains of Brömserburg Castle. This Medieval tower houses the Rheingau Wine Museum and a collection of 16th and 17th century screw presses, or heavy wooden frames used to squeeze the juice out of grapes for fermentation. The museum pieces resemble the same types of agricultural machinery that a very clever local named Johannes Gutenberg no doubt saw while growing up in nearby Eltville am Rhine.
There's more to Palisade than wine and peaches. The Western Slope hamlet offers mountain biking and hiking trails, geological wonders, a distillery and brewery, art galleries and even a few good spots to grab a bite. Not bad for a teeny mountain town three-and-a-half hours from Denver. I usually come for the vino, but after this most recent trip, I am now starting to understand the rest of life in Palisade can be good indeed.
