Story by: Daniel Severyn, Tourism Editor
Photos by: Adelaide Martinsen & Courtney Havel
Rows of vibrant vineyards stretch under the Grand Valley sun, the foundation of every bottle crafted at Bookcliff Winery. (Photo by Courtney Havel, April 2025)
(Grand Junction, CO) The first segment of the 2025 Barrel Into Spring event, held on April 18–19, showcased the Grand Valley’s renowned wine culture. This annual event, organized by the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), provided wine lovers with an immersive, self-guided tour of eight of Palisade’s top wineries.
Over the course of two days, guests sampled premium, barrel-aged wines paired with delicious meals from regional chefs and caterers as they explored the distinctive offerings of each participating winery. The occasion offered a unique chance to sample wines straight from the barrel, revealing details about each vintage’s characteristics and the winemaking process. To enable visitors to take home their preferred selections, wineries also offered exclusive discounts on their products.
The first 2025 lineup featured a diverse array of wineries, including:
- Bookcliff Vineyards
- Carlson Vineyards
- Cliff Dweller Wine Co with Buckel Family Wines
- Mafia Princess Wines with Peony Lane Wines
- Maison La Belle Vie
- Restoration Vineyards with Alfred Eames Cellars
- The Peachfork with LaNoue DuBois Winery
- Whitewater Hill Vineyards
A rich and diverse tasting experience was made possible by the distinct ambiance and assortment that each site provided. However, there are three standouts.
As you drive up the gravel road, you see the beautiful Bookcliff Vineyards entrance, and as you overlook it, you see the original thought behind its name, Bookcliff. (Photo by Courtney Havel, April 2025)
Since 1996, Bookcliff Vineyards, a vineyard located in Palisade, has been making wines entirely from Colorado grapes. The 37-acre vineyard, established by John Garlich and Ulla Merz, produces 14 distinct wine varieties, ranging from Syrah and Malbec to Chardonnay and Viognier.
Bookcliff, renowned for its environmentally friendly agricultural practices, including composting and the avoidance of pesticides, produces wines that blend New World expression with Old World structure. More than 15 wines that uniquely highlight the unique characteristics of Colorado’s high desert terroir are available in their tasting rooms.
New life on the vine. Tiny grapes begin to take shape, marking the quiet start of the season.
(Adelaide Martinsen, April 2025)
Founded in 1988, Carlson Vineyards is one of Colorado’s oldest wineries and has a long history of winemaking in Palisade. Carlson has won multiple awards for its fruit and dry wines and is well-known for its approachable, relaxed atmosphere and crowd-pleasing wines.
A fun approach to winemaking is demonstrated with their Tyrannosaurus Red and Cherry wines, while their Gewürztraminer is a perennial favorite at festivals. Carlson remains a favorite in the area due to its commitment to community and quality, and it features tasting rooms in Palisade and downtown Grand Junction.
Time at work. Stacked high in quiet rows, the barrels hold the
slow transformation of grape to wine. (Adelaide Martinsen, April 2025)
Whitewater Hill Vineyards, situated atop a picturesque ridge in Grand Junction, has been crafting estate-grown wines since 2004. The 7-acre vineyard is renowned for its cold-hardy and European varietals, featuring award-winning selections such as Dry Riesling and Viognier.
The winery practices sustainable farming and precise irrigation, and its tasting room, open daily, offers shaded patios with sweeping views of the valley. Known for being approachable and community-oriented, Whitewater Hill also hosts events like “Science Uncorked,” blending education with wine appreciation.
Framed by vineyard views and late afternoon light, three women relax in red chairs, sharing laughter and wine in Bookcliff’s outdoor seating area—a perfect pairing of friendship and flavor. (Photo by Courtney Havel, April 2025)
At their assigned starting winery, participants were given a Barrel Into Spring Passport, an event wristband, and a sampling glass. The voyage was made more exciting and rewarding by offering guests the chance to win a complimentary case of Colorado wine by collecting stamps at each of the eight stops.
CAVE, a nonprofit organization devoted to assisting Colorado’s winemakers and grape producers, benefited from the event’s proceeds. The community’s dedication to supporting the expansion and development of the state’s emerging wine industry is demonstrated by this project.
A highlight of Colorado’s wine calendar, Barrel Into Spring celebrates the state’s rich viticultural heritage and the dedicated individuals who craft each bottle.
The next event is scheduled on the 9th and 10th of May, 2025, providing participants with eight new wineries to try.
For more information, such as ticket prices, visit the CAVE website: https://www.winecolorado.org/barrel-into-spring/
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