Nestled in Colorado’s Majestic Mountains Lies a Charming Town with a Thriving Wine Scene

Colorado! Just the sound of the word conjures images of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and impossibly wide skies. This ultra-scenic western state is a hard place not to fall in love with. It’s home not only to world-class ski slopes, hot springs perfect for winter vacations, and deep Rocky Mountain splendor but also a slew of enchanting towns like Aspen (which — despite a reputation as a ‘playground of the rich’ — can be affordable if you know how to visit on a budget).

Another brilliant — and much lesser-known — settlement tucked into one of Colorado’s mountain valleys is Paonia. This lovely little town has made the list of the Centennial State’s ‘coolest’ places for some time now, and for good reason. Not only is Paonia a terrific spot to relax amongst the jaw-dropping scenery Colorado is famous for, but it’s also home to a number of up-and-coming wineries. This makes it a must-visit destination for oenophiles and any others curious about the state’s growing status as a producer of fine grapes and vintages.

Paonia was named after the Latin word for “peony” and grew to become a center for mining, ranching, and fruit farming. The latter remains an important part of the town’s economy today, with cherries, pears, apples, apricots, peaches, plums, and nectarines grown in orchards surrounding the hamlet. Paonia is also well-known for its organic hops and sustainably-raised meats, making its restaurants major players in the state’s farm-to-table scene.

Grapes, however, have lately become the star of the show. While Palisade, Colorado, has received the lion’s share of the state’s wine kudos, Paonia has begun to steal a bit of that town’s thunder. Part of this is surely due to the fact that most of the grapes found in its dozen vineyards come from Palisade. That said, sampling Paonia’s wines is well worth the effort. The town boasts several solid tasting rooms, including Orchard Valley Farms and Black Bridge Winery, Peony Lane, and the Root and Vine Market, which pairs its varietals with excellent, locally sourced dishes.

When it comes to tipple in Paonia, wine isn’t the only game in town. Clear Fork Cider offers delectable brews made from local apples and pears, with each bottle telling the story of the orchard it comes from. Paonia United Brewing Co. features great suds sourced from hops grown in the North Fork Valley, while Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer specializes in time-honored, farmhouse traditions directly rooted in the land it calls home.