Social Media Retreat at Wine Country Inn

Kettlewell Enterprises (a.k.a. Mox & Dom) is teaching a day and a half retreat about mastering online marketing, especially social media sites such as Facebook and twitter. With only 20 seats available, participants will enjoy incredible networking opportunities with an intimate group of experienced marketing professionals.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Mox&Dom event without some luxuries. This exclusive retreat features networking events in the evening, including wine tasting, dinner and vineyard tour. With unparalled expert marketing content and unique, tight-knit networking professionals won't find anywhere else, this will be "The Event" any business person can't afford to miss.

The retreat takes place at the Wine Country Inn Sept 12 from 9 am- 8 pm and Sept 13 from 8 am - 10am. The event costs $1,047 per person or $547 if registered before Sept 5. Call 970-985-4192 to reserve a seat.

Inari's Bistro Mussels In Thai Green Sauce

A lovely late summer evening sitting at the sidewalk patio of Inari's Bistro in Palisade, Colorado. These mussels in a mildly spicy Thai green sauce made for a savory appetizer, especially when paired with a slightly chilled glass of Garfield Estates 2006 S2, a crisp, acidic Sémillon/ Viognier blend redolent with hints of melon and pear, and very mild oak.

Heavenly Palisade Peach Napoleon at 626 Rood

Check out this amazing Palisade Peach Napoleon we had at 626 Rood in downtown Grand Junction. Chef Theo Otte uses local suppliers and growers for many of the organic and natural ingredients used in the 626 kitchen. Theo layered the peaches in between delicate shortbread wafers and smothered them in vanilla cream -- an absolutely out of this world combination. It's August, so the peaches are in high season right now. This could nor have been a more perfect dessert!

Palisade Peaches Take Flight Aboard Air Force One

Charles Broshus snapped this nifty picture for the Grand Junction Free Press of an unidentified White House staffer carting two flats of Palisade Peaches aboard Air Force One. This peachy bit of national exposure happened on the tarmac at Walker Air Field, where AF1 was parked during President Obama and the First Family's August 15, 2009 visit to the Grand Valley.

You can view more of the Obama's pass through Grand Junction and Palisade here.

Top Chef, High Country Orchards in Whole Foods Video

August 2009 has certainly been a high time for Palisade, Colorado,-based High Country Orchards. Not only have the High family hosted Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama and helped them pick Palisade Peaches, but Theresa High has been featured in a new Whole Foods Market video about supporting local farmers. Theresa appears alongside Top Chef Season Five Winner Hosea Rosenberg, and discusses the value of buying locally grown food.

Palisade, Colorado, Chamber Unveils New Welcome Video

The Palisade Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its new official travel video, sharing all there is to do in the area. From Peach Fest to Vineyard Tours, Palisade's many attractions are represented.

Obamas Visit Palisade, Colorado

Congrats to High Country Orchards, who hosted the First Family over the weekend! Not only did Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama visit our little town and pick Palisade Peaches, but the POTUS endorsed our famous fruit, as well. The Prez said: "Last time I was here I had some really good [Palisade] peaches. Somehow, though, Michelle and the girls got to go pick peaches -- and I'm hoping they bring some back for me."

Air Force One touches down at Walker Air Field, Saturday, August 15 2009.

A military helicopter patrols the skies over the airfield, with the Bookcliffs in the distance. Saturday, August 15 2009.



The President's motorcade readies to head to Palisade, Colorado, and Grand Junction. Saturday, August 15 2009


A visit by any Presidential family is great PR for a small town and fantastic exposure for Palisade peaches. Any First Family is always welcome in Palisade.

You can read about the Obamas visit to Palisade, Colorado, here.

We will post more pictures of President Obama and the First Family as they become available.

Colorado Wine Still Life

Enhance Your Summer Feast With a Bottle of Colorado Wine!

The Grapes Have Hit Veraison!

August Jazz 777 Features Walt Smith Trio, Vocalist Krystyn Hartman

The Wine Country Inn’s August Jazz 777 under the stars, will feature the Walt Smith Trio in the hotel’s Courtyard Pavilion on Friday, Aug. 14 from 7 to 10 pm. Krystyn Hartman will join the trio as vocalist.

Cover charge will be $7.70 per person or $15 a couple, but reservations are not required.

The Inn is offering Courtyard food service starting at 6 p.m. with grilled items such as hamburgers, brats and chicken breasts. A simple beverage selection of sodas, beer,wine and bottled water as well as chips and pasta salad will be available.

Guests who want to stay overnight can call for reservations to receive the Summer Jazz 777 rate starting at $99 for a Standard King Room for Two. With a reservation guests receive two tickets to the music performance. A room reservation is not required for patrons who want to enjoy the music and grab a bite

If the weather is inclement, the jazz event will simply move indoors, but the outdoor grilling service will be suspended.

Guests can convert the Jazz 777 room special into a two-night weekend getaway by coming in on Friday and visiting wineries, art galleries and studios, shops, restaurants and other attractions before the big party.

The Inn is located at 777 Grande River Dr. Palisade (Exit 42 Off I-70). Phone numbers are 970-464-577 and 888-850-8330.

Dine Under Stars in Peach Orchard at Annual Feast in the Fields

To celebrate the 2009 Palisade Peach Festival, the Wine Country Inn is catering Sunday night’s Hungarian Feast in the Fields at Bikki’s Ranch of Liberty. Featuring authentic recipes from the orchard’s owner, Barbara Bikki, Chef Dave Kaserra has paired each course with offerings from local vintners Garfield Estates Winery and DeBeque Canyon Winery The multi-course dinner starts at 7 pm on Sunday, Aug. 16, and costs $95 per person for food and wine.

Mrs. Bikke and her late husband fled Hungary decades ago to escape Russian occupation and made a new life for themselves in Palisade. They named their peach orchard operation Bikki’s Ranch of Liberty to celebrate the freedom they found in America.

All the Feast in the Fields dinners are utilizing locally grown and produced fresh ingredients.

The menu and wine pairings were chosen after much testing and tasting Chef Kassera’s recipe adaptations and comparing possible wine selections with Brad Harmon, partner and assistant winemaker of Garfield Estates and Bennett Price, owner and wine maker of DeBeque Canyon.

“If our samplings are any indication, Dave and the staff really nailed the traditional recipes,” comments Juliann Adams, Director of Sales and Events. “This unique dinner in a beautiful orchard setting is a great finale to this year’s Peachfest, and the wines are outstanding.”

Appetizers will include Buffalo Roulade (instead of beef) or Herring, paired with 2008 Garfield Estates Vin Rose. The traditional Hungarian Cucumber Salad (Uborka Salata) is paried with 2006 Gewurztraminer from DeBeque Canyon.

Entrees Paprika Chicken (Csirke Paprikas) and Sauerbraten, which will be served with red cabbage and Spaetzle (nokedle) will be paired with 2006 Garfield Estates Winery Sirah and 2004 DeBeque Canyon Chardonnay.

Dessert will be Hungarian Poached Peaches, freshly picked from Bikki’s orchard, served with Crème Fraiche. Wine selection is 2005 Garfield Estates Vin DeGlaze, an ice style dessert wine.

Space is limited, so the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the Feast in the Fields dinners, is recommending that diners contact the office directly at 970-464-7458 or book online at www.palisadecoc.com. In case of rain, the feast will be moved from the orchard to an adjacent barn.

Time Ripe For Palisade Peach Festival Recipe Contest

The peaches are ready and that means it’s time for The Palisade Peach Festival’s Recipe Contest Saturday, August 15, at the Community Building in Palisade Memorial Park (Old Town Park).

Dixie Burmeister, Coordinator of the Contest, says “Each year I am amazed at the variety and quality of the dishes that fit into our four categories. With four prizes for each category, plus many prize drawings, all who enter stand a good chance to win some great prizes.”

The contest this year is presented by Jarden Home Brands, Makers of Ball Brand Fresh Preserving Products, and Albertsons with a $200 Grand Prize and $100, $75, and $50 Albertson’s gift cards in each category. There will also be prize drawings for Ball Brand Fresh Preserving Products, Gateway Canyons Get-A-Way, Peach Tree True Value Food Dehydrator, Star Products and more.

“The judges aren’t the only ones to be sampling the delicious entries, there’s good eating to be had for all” says Burmeister. The Palisade 4-H will have sample sales of all the entries with part of the proceeds benefiting the Palisade 4-H Club. Jill Fasken, Palisade 4-H leader, says “The sample sizes will be very generous and need we say…. Delicious!” Sample sales will begin after the judging is done and winners are determined - between 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Winners will be announced just outside the Community Building at 11:00 AM.

Go to www.palisadepeachrecipecontest.com for entry forms and details. Entry forms can also be picked up at the Palisade Chamber, Albertson’s, Growers Fruit Stands and Peach Tree True Value Hardware.