West Elks Wine Trail
West Elks Wine Trail
Pairing the Best of Colorado Wine with the Best of Colorado Cuisine
Aug 4-6, 2023
Discover the beautiful North Fork Valley and its award-winning wineries with our exclusive wine event! Immerse yourself in the picturesque landscapes of vineyards as you sip on delicious wines from the AVA.
With your $30 ticket purchase, you’ll enjoy free wine tastings during the weekend and receive a beautiful wine glass and a tote bag. Our winemakers will guide you through the tasting experience, providing insights into the unique terroir of the North Fork Valley and the wine-making process.
As you savor each sip, take in the stunning views and enjoy the company of fellow wine enthusiasts. Our event provides the perfect opportunity to discover new wines, expand your wine knowledge, and meet the passionate winemakers behind each bottle.
Join us for a weekend of indulgence, relaxation, and discovery. Get tickets now and get ready to experience the charm and elegance of the North Fork Valley through its exquisite wines.
Colorado Detours, now known as Western Colorado Wine Tour, will have tours available during the weekend! Learn more.
Scheduled Events
(Subject to change)
Mesa Winds
Friday-Saturday, August 4-5
31262 L Rd, Hotchkiss
August 4th: Live Music with the Solar Brothers, 6-8pm. Make a reservation.
August 5th: Wine tasting only, noon to 4pm. Wine-paired multi-course dinner, 6-9pm. View menu and make a reservation or call for reservations 970-399-7491.
Stone Cottage Cellars
Friday-Saturday, August 4-5, 6:30-8:30pm
41716 Reds Rd, Paonia
Barrel Tasting/Gourmet Food & Wine Pairing.
Reservations Required: August 4th and [August 5th – SOLD OUT].
Clear Fork Cider
Friday-Sunday, August 4-6, 2-5pm
234 Grand Ave, Paonia
Inside Paonia Books
Vertical Tastings.
Qutori Wines
Saturday-Sunday, August 4-6
40823 HWY 133, Paonia
August 4th: Music in the evening by David Synder.
August 5th: DJ Koko Love will host a mid-day dance party on the Patio, 2-6pm. Wine-pairing dinner, 7pm. Call for menu info and reservations 970-527-3236.
August 6th: Brunch and live music with Ethan Perry, 11am-2pm.
The Storm Cellar
Friday-Sunday, August 4-6
14139 Runzel Gulch Rd, Hotchkiss
Friday, August 4th: Steak Night, 4-7 pm, Chef Joseph Kerns
Saturday, August 5th: Chef Brandt Bishop’s Small Plates, 2-6pm; Sunset House Music Dance Party with live DJ, 6-8:30pm
Sunday, August 6th: Wine Cocktails and Big Zen on the turntables, 4-7pm.
Rain or shine, no reservations required.
Black Bridge Winery
Saturday-Sunday, August 5-6, 10am-6pm
15836 Black Bridge Rd, Paonia
Wine wagon tours of the vineyards and orchards, wine pairings, barrel tastings, and complimentary bites of our wood-fired pizza.
Alfred Eames Cellars
Saturday-Sunday, August 5-6, 12-5pm
11931 4050 Rd, Paonia
Wine tasting, cellar tours, and culinary delights: charcuterie and cheesecake.
Azura Winery & Gallery
Sunday, August 6, 2-4pm
16764 Farmers Mine Rd, Paonia
Complimentary remote control sailing on the Azura Pond – all ages welcome, no experience necessary!
The West Elks AVA is notably home to vineyards planted at the highest elevation in the Northern Hemisphere. The intense sunlight, warm days and cool nights produce grapes that are ideally suited for creating distinctive Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Petite Pearl, Gamay, Cayuga and Chambourcin. Additionally, local winemakers craft wines from Colorado-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Carmena, Primitivo, St Vincent Red, and Tempranillo. Vintners produce wines in all styles from beautifully dry, crisp whites, to robust, meaty reds, sweet and delicious port-style dessert wines, and hard apple cider.
Just a stone’s throw from Grand Junction (1.5 hours) and Montrose (1 hour) a beautiful drive over Kebler Pass from Crested Butte (1.25 hours) or a foray over McClure pass from Aspen (2.25 hours), Carbondale (1.5 hours) Glenwood Springs (2 hours), and Redstone (45 minutes), the West Elks Wine Trail offers a refreshing food and wine getaway with plenty of additional diversions to leave you relaxed and yet rejuvenated to enjoy summer. Join us the first weekend in August and savor our wine and food pairings along with lovely North Fork Valley scenery.
