Monday, June 29, 2009
Inn Celebrates Nation's Birthday With July 4 Room Special
The package is for a standard king room and includes a deluxe complimentary breakfast and afternoon wine reception. Tax is not included and the offer is subject to availability. Some restrictions may apply.
To book, guests must call the hotel direct, emphasizes Connie Luppes, General Manager.
“Besides being a great way to celebrate our nation’s birthday in small town America, this is a unique opportunity for a getaway in Colorado’s wine country. Our laid back ambiance is welcoming and invites guests to slow down,” she says. “They can visit the many tasting rooms nearby, take in the local art scene or just put up their feet and relax.”
The Inn, an 80-room boutique hotel set amidst 21 acres of working vines, opened in August 2008. Adjacent to two wineries, the Inn is a short drive from a dozen more.
The Victorian style architecture, with its wrap around porches invites guests relax in rocking chairs or wicker lounges while enjoying a glass of the Inn’s private label wine. An oversize pool and spa add to the atmosphere.
Guest rooms are beautifully appointed, comfortable and offer high speed internet service, microwave and refrigerator, flat panel TV, granite bath finish, iron and ironing board and in room coffee. A Fitness Center, Business Center, Gift Shop and Guest Laundry are also available.
Wine Country Inn Gifts Restored Photo Images To Museum
Valued at an estimated $20,000 by Cobb & Assoc., who handled the restoration of photos loaned by the Grand Junction museum, the restored 1900-era Palisade pictures were enlarged, framed and hung throughout the hotel. The electronic media files will be presented to museum curators at a celebration from 10 to 11 am, Thursday, July 23, in the Lobby of the hotel. The public is invited. Following the presentation, guests can view the photos in public areas as well as guest rooms. Lemonade and cookies will be served in the Tasting Room.
“We can thank our neighbor Bill Floryancic, whose passion for documenting the history of Palisade launched this project. He approached us before we even broke ground about the importance of honoring the past,” explains owner Richard Tally.
“He was right and the interest in the Victorian period photos of Palisade has created much interest and good will from our guests and local residents alike."
“We also want to thank Michael Menard and the Museum of Western Colorado for his cooperation and help,” said Tally. He also praised Jeff Ham, the Cobb graphic artist who painstakingly restored the photos, for his dedication and “labor of love” on the project.
“It was a pleasure working with the Wine Country Inn to restore and produce copies of the Museum’s early Palisade Photographs for display at the Inn,” comments Curator Menard. “The Museum of Western Colorado is very appreciative to have such supporters as Jean and Richard Tally to assist the Museum in preserving and promoting the history of the Grand Valley.”
The results are a testament to the possibilities of creating a legacy for future generations when the private and public sectors work together, Tally adds.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Palisade Fruit Stands Now Open For Season
“We currently have Bing cherries, apricots, and locally-grown tomatoes and vegetables, as well as our packaged fruit products,” said Renee Herman, owner of Herman’s Fruit, Valley Fruit Stand, and I-70 Fruit Stand. “We will have lots of Palisade peaches - we have almost a full crop. Later this season, we’ll have plums, pears and nectarines. Our prices are the same as last year.”
The Red Barn is selling locally-grown Bing cherries, squash, snow peas, cucumbers, and zucchini, according to Liisa George. They also have cantaloupe, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and packaged fruit products. “We’re expecting a good season. We’ll have a very good crop of peaches,” said George. “And we just purchased Ball Fruit. It will be open for business tomorrow.”
Fruit stands can be found along Elberta Avenue near Exit 42, off I-70; along U.S. Highway 6, on East Orchard Mesa, and along the back roads of the Palisade area. “There are always peaches in Palisade,” said Herman. You can count on it.”
For more information, contact the Palisade Chamber of Commerce at 970-464-7458 or visit their website: www.palisadecoc.com.
Palisade's Lodging Tax Funds New Tourist Initiatives
At a recent regular meeting of the Palisade Town Board of Trustees the Board voted to provide seven local businesses with tourism marketing funds to promote special events in Palisade to encourage increased tourist visitation.
Using funds generated from the voter approved Lodging Occupation Tax, the Board of Trustees, through its Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), solicited applications for private tourism marketing projects. Nine proposals were received. Due to funding constraints, the TAB could only recommend funding seven of the nine projects.
The recommendations centered on funding projects demonstrating numerous positive characteristics including broad community benefit, partnership between multiple organizations, events targeting the shoulder seasons of winter and spring, the degree of project uniqueness and innovation, and sustainability.
Mayor Dave Walker said, “We are excited that the business community has responded to this opportunity to partner with the Town.” We are confident that these marketing dollars will show a return on investment in the form of increased tourism to Palisade.”
Projects receiving funding include Palisade Spring Antiques Fair, Agri-business Identification Flags and Banners, Palisade Octoberfest, Vineyard Harvest Boot Camp, Palisade “Feast in the Fields”, Palisade Area Trails/Maps Promotion, and Palisade Wine Country Float Trips. The funds were provided on a matching, reimbursable basis. All projects must be completed by December 31 of this year.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wine Country Inn Perfect for Affordable Family Vacations
You can vacation in Colorado’s high desert wine country west of the Continental Divide for a fraction of what you would spend in far-away destinations.
“Ours is not an expensive, high profile, theme park destination, but rather, a unique, accessible and affordable Real Deal Experience,” comments Wine Country Inn Owner Richard Tally. “You can enjoy the adventure of the vineyards along with the intrigue of the Great American West—all just a half tank of gas away from the Front Range.”
Tally points out that Palisade is only 10 miles from Grand Junction Regional Airport, which is served by major carriers through hubs such as Denver, Salt Lake City and Dallas.
Starting at only $360, a family of four can stay at Colorado’s new Wine Country Inn for a minimum of two nights. Included in the package are a Standard Double Queen room, $10 credit in the Gift Shop, $20 credit at the weekend Courtyard Grill, a coupon at Bananas Fun Park, a family amusement park in nearby Grand Junction, and complimentary Wine Country Breakfast and afternoon Wine Reception. Taxes are not included.
Guests can also enjoy the oversize outdoor pool and deluxe hot tub spa, as well as exercise in the Fitness Center. Other services, such as massages and facials, can be arranged through the Front Desk.
Other fun options include:
* Hiking, Biking, Fly Fishing, Horseback Riding on nearby Grand Mesa, Colorado’s highest alpine flat top mountain
* Touring, Hiking, Biking Colorado National Monument
* Visiting nearby working Orchards and Vineyards
* Cross Orchards Historic Farm, Museum of Western Colorado in Grand Junction
* Rafting, Kayaking on Colorado River
* Biking through local vineyards and orchards
* Viewing Wild Mustangs in nearby Wild Horse Refuge
* Visiting interactive Dinosaur Museum, local dinosaur digs
* Birding, Critter Watching at Tillmon Bishop Wildlife Refuge
* Day Trip Exploring natural wonders in Moab, Utah including Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
* Visiting Dinosaur National Park
For more information or to make reservations, please call 888.855.8330 or 970.464.5777.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Study German Wines at Wine Country Inn This Thursday
With Savor Each Glass, find out why Germany is making some of the most nuanced, agreeable white wines in the world and how wine makers in Colorado are making world-class wines in the German style.
June begins with the Wines of Germany on Thursday June 18 and Components - Sight, Smell, Taste on Thursday June 25. Classes are $50/person for a single class or save 15 percent by signing up for both June classes for $85/person. Classes are being held at the beautiful Wine Country Inn in Palisade.
The Component class is a great entry level seminar for the enthusiast or professional that wants to develop or improve their evaluation techniques. Each component of the class covers a different aspect of wine descriptive evaluation, focusing on the three key senses: vision, smell and taste. Sensory and evaluation exercises will be followed by wine tastings that focus on the specific sensory skill being developed. You will map your palate in this class.
Add to your growing knowledge of wine by taking the all-day components class and learn about Visual, Smell and Taste Evaluation. Class includes exercises and tastings for each sense.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wine Country Inn Featured in Blue Pig Gallery Exhibit
And the celebration continue with a series of new exhibits:
Nancy Long: Whimsical Watercolors through June 30.
A vibrant slice of life, this exhibit features works in watercolor on Yupo paper.
Amanda Davis: Figures in the Vineyard. June 20 - July, 2009.
This up-and-coming artist shows her exploration of the female form in found object metal sculpture with the Wine Country Paint Out exhibit as a back drop.
Blue Pig Wine Country Paint Out exhibit. June 20 - July 31, 2009.
Work by artists who painted at Blue Pig event at the Wine Country Inn on June 6. A lovely reflection of Palisade's verdant landscape in various media.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Summer Wine Classes Slated for Wine Country Inn
Tynan is also a graduate of the Business of Wine Program offered by the IWG, and works regularly with Angelo Camillo at the University of Denver’s Hospitality Department.
Classes fees are $50 each or $85 for two classes in the same month. The Inn will offer these special room rates for attendees: $99/night for a Standard King, $109/night for a Standard Double Queen and $126/night for a Patio King. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 888.855.8330 or 970.464.5777.
Schedule
Thursday, June 18, 6:30 to 9 pm, Wines of Germany
Class information: http://www.savoreachglass.com/shop/product/7
Thursday, June 25, 6:30 to 9 pm, Sight, Smell, Taste
Class information: http://www.savoreachglass.com/shop/product/8
Thursday, July 16, 6:30 to 9 pm, Wines of Colorado
Class information: http://www.savoreachglass.com/shop/product/9
Thursday, July 30, 6:30 to 9 pm, , Wines of South America
Class information: http://savoreachglass.com/shop/product/10
Thursday, August 6, 6:30 to 9 pm, Introduction to Italian Wines
Class information: http://savoreachglass.com/shop/product/11
Thursday, August 20, 6:30 to 9 pm, Basic Sommelier Service for Everybody
Class information: http://savoreachglass.com/shop/product/12
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Shuttles Planned for Bluegrass Festival
The busses have been in service for GVT for several years and were due to be cycled out of the fleet and replaced with new models. GVT historically replaces its high mileage busses, donating the older units, selling them at auction, or parting them out.
Tim Sarmo, Palisade Town Administrator, thanked the Mesa County Commissioners and said, “We will make good use of the busses providing transportation for special events and recreational outings.” Mesa County has always been of great help to Palisade. This is the type of local government cooperation that makes the most of taxpayer dollars. We thank and commend the Commissioners for the donation and their on-going support to Palisade.”
Both buses have over 165,000 miles but are in operable condition. “Unlike GVT, we will not place extraordinary mileage on the busses and given Palisade’s small geographic area they should serve us well for many years”, said Sarmo.
The Town’s first planned use is for the upcoming Bluegrass and Roots Music Festival. Using volunteer drivers, the Town will operate a free shuttle for festival goers to and from Riverbend Park. Shuttle stops will include the business district on Highway 6, the Palisade Plaza at Third and Main downtown, the Palisade Brewery and Distillery, at Second and Peach Streets, St. Katherine’s Winery on Elberta, the Wine Country Inn Hotel, and Palisade Peachbowl Park and Swimming Pool at Fifth and Elberta. The shuttles will operate every thirty minutes beginning Friday at 1:00 PM until 1:15 AM Saturday, Saturday from 7:00 AM until 1:15 AM Sunday and Sunday from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. “We want to provide convenient access to Riverbend Park, offer festival goers the chance to experience all of Palisade and our businesses to benefit from having several thousand people in town for a four day period. Festivals and special events are extremely important to the Town and we see the shuttles as a way to improve the festival experience in town.
The Town also sees the opportunity to use the busses throughout the year for other festivals, transporting the Board of Trustees and staff to tour local sites of interest, visitor tours, and recreational outings for town citizens.



