TRAVEL
FALL 2010
celebratedliving.com
24
Colorado’sWineCountry
TOP:
©DANCOFFEY;BOTTOMRIGHT:
© KAREN ENENKEL
STAY:
In the summertime,
SMITH FORK RANCH
(picturedabove
left and center) inCrawfordoffersactivity-packed,weeklong
dude ranchvacations. Come fall, thepace relaxesabit, and the
ranchwelcomesguests for shorter stays toenjoyactivities such
ashorseback riding, fly-fishing, andvisits to localwineriesand
orchards. Just beback in time fordinner: SmithFork servesup
gourmet farepreparedwithanabundanceof local ingredients.
Stay inoneof theguest cabinsor in themain lodge; all are
deckedout in ranch-chic furnishings. smithforkranch.com
TASTE:
TheColoradoWineBoardoffersmapsdirectingyou
to themanywineries that dot the region, but here’sa list of some
to includeonyour itinerary. (Call ahead, though, toensure that
theproprietorsare there towelcomeyou.) coloradowine.com
JACK RABBIT HILL
inHotchkiss is theonly certifiedbiodynamicwin-
ery in the state—andoneof onlya fewdozen in the country.
(970) 835-3677, jackrabbithill.com
Olathe ishome tosomeof thebest sweet corn in thenation; new-
comer
GARRETT ESTATECELLARS
hopes the townwill soonboastwine
asa favoredexport too. (970) 901-5919, garrettestatecellars.com
Enjoyart asyou sipat the
SURFACE CREEKWINERY&GALLERY
in
Eckert. (970) 835-9463, surfacecreek.com
Don’tmiss the awe-inspiringviews—or theAlsatian-style
wines—at
TERROR CREEKWINERY
inPaonia, said tobe the
NorthernHemisphere’shighestwinery. (970) 527-3484,
terrorcreekwinery.com
SHOP:
Payavisit to
DELICIOUSORCHARDS
, a farmer’smar-
ket that’shome toNorthForkCellars, a ciderproducer.
freshapplecider.com
Abutting theNorthForkof theGunnisonRiver,
ORCHARDVALLEY
FARMS
isa farmmarket andhome toBlackBridgeWinery’s
tasting room. blackbridgewinery.com
In a state that offers some of the world’s best terrain for
skiing, hiking, biking, and just about every other outdoor
sport, it’s easy to overlook Colorado’s wine country. But
this fall, when the RockyMountain foliage is at peak
viewing, venture an hour outside of Grand Junction into
Delta County for a taste of the high country.
— L.S.
REACHINGNEWHEIGHTS:
DELIGHTS IN FALL
