You Won't Believe This Town Is In Colorado
When people picture Colorado, wine is most likely not the first thing to come to mind. However, the state’s wine industry is more significant than you might think. In fact, a 2022 study conducted by the National Association of American Wineries found that Colorado's wine industry contributed nearly $4 billion to the country’s economy. One of the state’s biggest wine regions is located in the West Elk American Viticultural Area, near the tiny town of Paonia. The area around this town defies all expectations you may have for Colorado, specializing in high-altitude white wines that rival those of California and Oregon. Here is a closer look at what makes Paonia unique and why you should check it out for yourself.
Agricultural History & Modern Day Wine Production
When the first Anglo settlers arrived in the North Fork Valley in the 1880s, they quickly saw its potential for orchards and wine, largely thanks to the mild climate, fertile bottomlands, and promising irrigation. That same decade, they began planting fruit trees, and by 1892, Paonia was already winning awards for its fruit in the Chicago World’s Fair.
As a result, agriculture and animal husbandry have become a key aspect of the town’s identity. Organic farms and orchards are scattered throughout the countryside, and it is not uncommon to find fresh fruit growing on trees and vines in town. Regarding its wine scene, the North Fork Valley belongs to the West Elk American Viticultural Area (AVA) at an elevation between 5,000 and 6,500 feet. This valley is renowned for producing some of the state’s best Riesling and Pino Noir.
Orchards & Wineries
If reading about Paonia’s vitaculture history is making you thirsty, consider visiting one of the town’s local vineyards to quench your thirst. Stone Cottage Cellars is a great spot to kick off your tour. This vineyard has been familyowned and operated since the 1990s, producing Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Gewurztraminers, and Syrahs, among several other varieties. Travelers can stop by their tasting room to try a glass or attend one of the vineyard’s signature Barrel Tasting, Gourmet Food & Wine Pairing events. To further immerse yourself in the vineyard’s atmosphere, consider spending the night in the original Stone Cottage, located in the heart of the 13-acre estate. Depending on the season, you might even get the chance to follow the winemaker for an afternoon or help harvest grapes.
Just down the road from Stone Cottage Cellars, you will find Orchard Valley Farms & Black Bridge Winery. On the farm, travelers can pick seasonal fruit and produce, ranging from raspberries in June to pumpkins in October. There is also a fresh market where you can purchase fruit, farm-raised beef, honey, salsas, sauces, jams, and other artisanal products. The Black Bridge Winery, meanwhile, has a cozy tasting room on the premises, stocked with signature wines made from grapes grown right on the estate. In addition to a wine tasting, visitors can also enjoy an aged balsamic vinegar and infused olive oil tasting, free of charge. The tasting room is open daily from Memorial Day until Halloween each year.
Annual Agricultural Festivals
With such an active agricultural community, it is no surprise that Paonia celebrates its farming roots each year with a few key festivals. In the early summer, the town hosts North Fork Uncorked, where attendees can try some of the local vineyards’ new releases. In addition to lots of wine tastings, the weekend also features plenty of culinary activities, music, and cider to sample. A few weeks later, around July 4th, the town unites once again for the Paonia Cherry Days. This festival celebrates the country’s independence with an agricultural twist. A parade with horse teams and tractor contraptions, a wood splitting contest, a cherry spit pit, and a baking contest are just a few of the quirky activities that make this festival, and this town, unique.
As fall begins to set in, Paonia welcomes the harvest season with the annual Mountain Harvest Festival in September. In celebration of the area’s farms, food, and art, there are all kinds of activities to check out. A few of the festival favorites include farm tours, a chili cookoff, a pub crawl, and free musical performances.
Visit Paonia
If you are looking for a trip filled with agricultural tours and tastings, there is no need to travel far. In Paonia, you will find an abundance of vineyards to explore, the majority of which are producing fantastic wines. A visit in June, July, or September may also allow visitors to experience the town in full force during one of its many farm festivals. With all this and more, by the end of your trip, you might find yourself wondering if you are really in Colorado!
