One of the best time to go to the Western Slope is harvest season.

What’s taking place: From Palisade to Paonia every September, the valleys are filled with plump peaches, clusters of wine grapes and different ripe fruit for the selecting.

• Cease by the roadside markets to speak to the farmers about this 12 months’s crop and pattern totally different varieties.

Do not miss: The Palisade Farmers Market is the place all of it comes collectively every Sunday.

• The music, meals distributors, wineries, artisans and farm stands supply a half-day’s value of exploration and enjoyable.
• Attempt as many peach-themed meals as potential, from peach-ade and pastries to preserves and salsa.

Mark your calendar: The massive occasion annually is the Colorado Wine Fest on Sept. 17. It is offered out however native wineries are internet hosting their very own particular occasions most weekends this month to rejoice grape stomping season.

The place to eat

From the road, the restaurant glowed with heat and effervescent conversations, a lone vibrant spot on a latest darkish and rain-dreary night. The odor of roasted rosemary wafts within the air when the door opens.

• That is Pêche — considered one of Colorado’s greatest but unassuming eating places specializing in farm-to-table delicacies.

What to know: Owned by husband-wife workforce Matt and Ashley Chasseur (he is the chef; she runs the operation), Pêche crosses delicacies boundaries and serves elevated dishes with gorgeous presentation.

What to eat: On this night time, tender ribeye loins are served on a rack sitting above rosemary and sizzling rocks. And Cochinta Pibil, a conventional Yucatán dish served with an assortment of sauces and toppings.

• “Each dish is an journey,” our waitress says.

Professional tip: On the Sunday farmers market, Pêche opens for street-side service and serves homey however scrumptious brunch choices like fried rooster, biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls.

• It’s also possible to decide up the house-made sourdough loaf, which generally sells out throughout dinner service.

The place to sip

The Grand Valley is not any Napa with regards to wine, however you may recognize the low-key tasting experiences and gorgeous views.

State of wine: The standard of Colorado wines is bettering and receiving extra nationwide recognition. Wine Fanatic rated 21 Colorado wines and gave seven 90 level or increased rankings.

• Palisade is even being touted as the subsequent Sonoma by some, and most of the wineries are inside strolling or biking distance of one another.

Between the traces: An early fall 2021 freeze hit the Palisade wineries arduous however the growers say they’re seeing a restoration this 12 months and presumably an early harvest with the nice and cozy climate.

The place to go to: Begin at Colterris, Colorado’s largest property vineyard, that means all of the wines originate from their very own grapes. One of the best sips are Merlot and Cab Franc.

• Go to the vineyard location for shaded seating subsequent to the winery within the shadow of sandstone cliffs. For an upgraded expertise, take the tour by way of the barrel room and wine cave.
• One other vineyard to place in your record: Odd Fellow, from Infinite Monkey Theorem’s Ben Parsons, which is the primary vineyard to get a Colorado license since Prohibition.
• Boulder’s Bookcliff Vineyards and Denver’s Carboy have outposts within the valley.

What else: You’ll find any drink you want in Palisade. For spirits and cocktails, head to Peach Avenue Distillers. For peach beer, go to Palisade Brewing. And for honey wine, strive Meadery of the Rockies.

• To expertise pet nat wines — a sizzling new pattern towards pure carbonation — go to Sauvage Spectrum. And do not miss the frosé, both.

What to do

Not removed from the plush Palisade valley, a wholly totally different panorama awaits on the Colorado Nationwide Monument.

• Sheer cliffs, 1.7 billion-year-old rocks and spectacular canyons beckon for a hike or bike exploration.

What to know: Begin on the West aspect close to Fruita and traverse the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive by automobile, stopping at as many overlooks as you may. (Give your self about two hours for the journey.)

• The Higher Liberty Cap Path is generally flat and gives nice views at 2.5 miles, a great turnaround spot.
• On the East finish, No Thoroughfare Canyon and Previous Gordon trails supply totally different views on the park.

Of observe: The monument is a part of the Colorado Plateau that additionally consists of the Grand Canyon, Zion and Arches nationwide parks.

Professional tip: When you begin on the West finish, take a fast detour to Fruita (similar exit, however flip proper) and seize a espresso at Bestslope on Peach Avenue.

• When you want meals to gas the day, Camilla’s Kaffe is a well-liked native spot with “good eats.”

The place to remain

A perk of the job: The possibility to order a tenting spot on the Breckenridge Brewery “peach pod” and luxuriate in among the best views on the town.

What to know: The limited-availability website is situated on a cliff above Palisade and the Colorado River on the Talbott Farm, the place the brewery sources the peaches for its wheat beer.

• The spot — nestled subsequent to a winery rising merlot grapes — is generally booked for the month, however the brewery could deliver it again subsequent 12 months.