Colorado's Wine Country Road Trip Samples Sweeping Vineyards, Mountain Views, And Charming Towns

When thinking of Colorado, images of ski resorts, the fresh air of the Smoky Mountains, the vigorous city of Denver, and its world-famous beer will likely come to mind. But the Centennial State is much more than this. Colorado is your ultimate summer road trip, where you drive past sweeping wineries, marvel at mountainous peaks, and visit quaint villages. Some of Colorado's best vineyards are linked together by a 5-hour drive along 195 miles of eye-pleasing landscapes. While you can sample your wine year-round, spring and summer time would be the best months to enjoy warmer weather, scented lavender fields, and farmlands filled with fruit trees.

Depending on where you are based, you can create your own road trip and playlist to go with it. But if you live in Gateway, then you're more likely to drive through Grand Mesa, then traverse Palisade with its lovely peach groves, organic farms, and family-run vineyards, until you reach your destination at Book Cliffs in Mesa County. Colorado's wine country is located on the Western hillside of the Rocky Mountains and characterized by two prime American Viticultural Areas: the Grand Valley and the West Elks. The type of wine produced in West Elks is strongly affected by the high elevation of the vineyards, bringing to life a variety of locally crafted wines.

Gateway's red-hued rock hills make a perfect starting point for a memorable grand tour — a different scenario compared to the most idyllic road trips in California wine country. Nevertheless, do not miss your chance to meander through the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway, a 133-mile stretch along Colorado's canyon region that is home to important historical sites and dinosaur relics.

After a dry landscape, a turquoise lake surrounded by Ponderosa pine trees is what you need. Near Grand Junction — Western Colorado's largest city in the heart of wine country — Grand Mesa is home to the world's largest plateau, more than 300 lakes, and a booming wine community. It certainly would not hurt to stop at Carlson Vineyards Winery and taste their red wine selection, accompanied by a square of bitter dark chocolate. Hermosa Winery seems to be a favorite among locals, where hospitality and a good glass of local artisanal wine go hand-in-hand. For a magnificent view of the mountains and farmland, take a seat in one of Stoney Mesa's tasting rooms, where your palate will savor some of the first-class estate-harvested wines.

If you don't feel wobbly after the wine tasting, head to the heartbeat of Colorado wine country, Palisade. The so-called "Peach Capital of Colorado" encompasses more than 30 farm wineries, and its sunny climate allows for both viticulture and peach-growing. Palisade is known for its outdoor adventures, and the Carboy Winery Estate House has you covered. Thanks to its convenient location on Palisade Fruit & Wine Byway, you can split your free time between hiking and a wine flight. End your journey at the Book Cliffs, a 200-mile corridor of mountains and crags that connects Colorado to Utah — an ideal setting for camping, hiking, and wildlife spotting.

Lofty mountains will be the leitmotif of your Colorado wine country road trip. You will definitely want to stop at Mount Garfield, a notable sandstone summit in the Book Cliffs. Although it is famous for its challenging hikes, it's not impossible to climb. Get lost — not literally — in its nearly 7,000-foot altitude and steeprocky paths as you watch wild mustangs passing by. And if you're planning to walk up to the peak, you will want to avoid the scorching sun during the summer months, but if you prefer to marvel from a distance, the view is mesmerizing.

Though not the most towering mountains in the United States, Grand Mesa peaks still offer scenic views, and as the saying goes, good things come in small packages. Crater Peak is not as small as you may think, though. Rising to an elevation of 11,333 feet above sea level, it offers leisure opportunities such as horse riding, biking, and challenging hikes. If you are in good company with your four-legged friend, Leon Peak is a pet-friendly hiking trail and is a demanding and rough footpath that will reward you with a stunning panorama.

California is not the only place where you can take a romantic stroll through fields of lavender; Palisade's Sage Creation Organic Farm also provides a fragrant, lovey-dovey experience. You can hand-pick your lavender bouquet in this family-run farm and browse their lavender-based selection of products for body care or cooking. This lovely purple plant is recognized for its relaxation properties, and yoga classes organized at the farm can enhance your experience. Within the West Elks area, visit Paonia, a small town well-known for its cherries and its three-day festival celebrating this delicious fruit, accompanied by fireworks and fireplaces.