Exploring Grand Junction Attractions and Wineries

Grand Junction's Main Street is an outdoor art exhibit, featuring Art on the Corner with 100 unique outdoor sculptures and art pieces by local, regional and national artists. The eloquent sculptures range from a bronze ethereal woman enveloped in blowing diaphanous garments, a poignant Native American and Peter Pan to an enormous and colorful apple core regarded by a an equally large ant. The sculptures change out each May but several are afforded permanent status.

From spring to fall, downtown Grand Junction presents a wonderful Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. The market vendors proffer fruits, vegetables, arts , accessories, apparel and tasty fare, along with musical performers that create a lively and fun atmosphere where visitors stroll through the market, or sit and sip coffee watching the crowd go by.

Downtown Grand Junction doesn’t possess any chain stores, instead visitors will find multiple alluring art galleries, upscale Colorado couture, cafes, sports outfitters, superb restaurants, tea and gift shops and the globally famous Enstrom’s. The family- owned and operated confectionary shop’s claim to fame started with their scrumptious Almond Toffee (the best in the U. S.) in 1960 By Chet Enstrom. Today, Enstrom’s large confectionary shop is filled with fine chocolates, coffee and tea beverages, gifts and every accessory for sweets and coffee you can imagine. There are only four retail stores in Colorado, but don’t despair, they do ship.

For great dried herbs and high-quality teas, visit Orr’s on Main Street. This small shop offers a host of cool and unusual gift items as well as some truly excellent teas (Earl Grey varieties in particular). And, if you can’t decide upon what you’re looking for, just stroll through downtown and peruse the many unique shops. Two superlative restaurants with recommendations and inspired wined menus to consider are il Bistro Italiano and 626 On Rood. il Bistro’s Italian chef Brunella Gualerzi prepares sublime cuisine and many dishes from her mother’s traditional recipes. 626 On Rood features excellent modern American cuisine (try the chicken stuffed with Brie) in a comfortable atmosphere.

Colorado Wineries

Colorado’s Palisade wineries are garnering a reputation for producing excellent wines. With over 18 wineries located in the Grand Valley and all of them completely different in variety production, theme and design, enthusiasts will be thrilled to tour the region.

Two recommended wineries to visit are Two Rivers Winery & Chateau and Reeder Mesa. Two Rivers Winery & Chateau is located southwest of Grand Junction. The winery currently produces about seven different wines from luscious and full cabernet sauvignons (try the Chateau Deux Fleuves 2006) to merlot, chardonnay, Syrah and Riesling. Owners Bob and Billie Witham have created a comfortable yet elegant tasting room with an unpretentious air. They genuinely enjoy talking with their guests and encourage a relaxed tasting experience. The Withams also built a magnificent chateau reminiscent of a French country inn, next to the tasting room. It is a conference center and upscale guest inn that features 10 rooms adorned with fashionable décor and a fully catered gourmet kitchen.

Reeder Mesa, located southeast of Grand Junction, is a family-owned winery residing in the foothills of a scenic large, flattop mountain, the Grand Mesa. Proprietors Doug and Kris Vogel offer a small and unassuming tasting room with exquisite scenery to gaze over while sipping their splendid, award-wining wines. The winery produces seven different wines and a respectable ruby port. Their 2007 Merlot is very smooth with blueberry notes and their Purple Haze dessert-style wine is a blend of cab and merlot that is rich and smooth to the palate.

Gateway Canyon’s Resort

Gateway Canyon’s Resort is located about an hour from Grand Junction via the scenic Unaweep byway. Jon Hendricks, founder of the Discovery Channel, owns the fantastic resort. Gateway is an impressive and all-inclusive resort with a large list of outdoor activities, exquisite rooms with views, top restaurant and spa. However, one of its striking attractions is the Gateway Auto Museum. The auto museum boasts over 40 vehicles in the privately-owned Hendricks Collection. Walk through a 100-year automobile timeline from the 1906 Cadillac Model H Coupe to the 2006 Chip Foose Mustang. They even have the 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 Concept Car designed by Harley Earl. The pristine collection also includes cars such as the 1913 pierce Arrow, 1939 Packard, 1941 Lincoln V-12 Zephyr and cool ‘50s classics as well as muscle cars. The auto museum presents the vehicles in a spacious setting with video presentations and interesting informational displays and is considered one of the finest collections of American automobiles in existence today.

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