WHERE WE’RE GOING…WHAT WE’RE DOING ~
We are blessed to live in Colorado! We seem to have it all – there is no lacking for things to do when you are a foodie in search of good ingredients, friends and fun in our state!
I have created a tour for women focused on the farms, ranches and wineries of Colorado that excel in what they do. ‘A Colorado Wine& Cheese Adventure’ will explore Colorado’s Western Slope (Basalt, Paonia, Durango, Grand Junction and Palisade) during fall when the leaves are changing and the air is cool. Although you may have already traveled to these destinations on your own, I assure you, the experiences planned for this trip are unique and selected for wonderful memories!
We will visit artisan cheese creameries in Colorado that produce some of our finest goat, sheep and cow’s milk cheeses. On the itinerary is Avalanche Cheese Company in Basalt which houses their creamery while the dairy is ‘over the hill’ in Paonia. We’ll tour the creamery and meet the cheese makers that produce their award winning goat cheese.
We’ll travel over McClure Pass to Paonia – a feast for the eyes in fall. Paonia is a hub for the farm-to-table movement in the North Fork Valley boasting wineries, orchards, ranches and produce growers. Paonia is known for its peaches, apricots, plums, cherries and grapes on the vine! There are now nine wineries in Paonia. We will visit two of the best, tasting their wines and enjoying the spectacular scenery. We’ll also pick fruit from the orchards and taste their fresh juices and hard ciders. We’ll surely meet some of the locals who will fill us in on the farm-to-table movement that is Paonia today.
We’ll also see the Avalanche Ranch goats who produce the milkfor the creamery in Basalt. We’ll stop at the dairy farm to greet some of their best-known characters: The Blues Brothers, Lovely Lovey and Eggnog amongst others who lead a charmed goat-life.
After two days in Paonia, we’ll head off to Durango. This drive will offer some spectacular fall mountain scenery! Once there, we’ll stay in a lovely historic downtown hotel where we can wander, shop, check out the cafes or just relax with new friends.
Our time in Durango will include a private hay ride and escorted tour of James Ranch north of Durango in the beautiful Animas River Valley. James Ranch has 400 acres of high altitude, irrigated pastures, crystal clear flowing water, 100% grass-fed cattle, grazing Jersey milking cows, a spruce tree nursery, organic vegetable and flower gardens. We’ll see why James Ranch has won awards for what they produce and why they are regarded so highly as stewards of the land. We’ll finish with a picnic on their grounds from their farm-to-table cafe. Some say James Ranch has the best burger in the West!
After two days in Durango, we’ll then head to Grand Junction to partake in the Colorado Mountain Winefest in nearby Palisade. ‘Winefest’ is Colorado’s oldest and biggest wine festival. Palisade boasts beautiful landscapes that Colorado is famous for but it is also home to a unique gem – the Colorado Wine Country. Two-thirds of Colorado’s vineyard acreage is in Palisade due to its microclimate of sunny days, dry air and cooler nights. This climate produces the grapes that make Colorado’s award winning wines.
We’ll spend a full day at Winefest taking in tastings from dozens of Colorado wineries, food pairings, wine seminars, chef demonstrations, a grape stomp and live music. Called ‘Festival in the Park,’ it takes place next to the Colorado River in lovely Palisade. It will be a fun-filled day of learning and experiencing Colorado’s wines and chef-inspired tastings.
Come and join us for this wonderful tour – you will come home refreshed and ready for winter!
********************************************************************************************* Accommodations: The Redstone Inn (Redstone), Fresh & Wyld Farmhouse Inn (Paonia), The Rochester Hotel/Leland House (Durango) and Springhill Suites or Fairfield Inn (Grand Junction) ***********************************************************************************************
For a detailed Daily Itinerary, visit us at www.packafork.com. Please also visit our Facebook and Pinterest pages for updated information. Questions? Contact us at info@packafork.com or 303-652-1535.
Don’t miss your spot!