3 Best Sights in Steamboat Springs and Northwest Colorado, Colorado

Located within Ten Acre Farm right at the base of the Little Bookcliff mountains and next door to the Wine Country Inn, Grande River is an easy stop right off the highway. Visitors can meander the demonstration vineyard on their own or book a free tour before or after a stop at the tasting room that's open daily. The vineyard is in the process of launching a brand, Ten Acre Winery, and the combined vineyards produce a staggering variety of varietals: Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot for the reds, and Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Viognier for the whites, along with their well-known red and white Meritage blends. Tasting fees range from $7 for four one-ounce pours to $12 for three three-ouncers.

Colorado’s first meadery opened in 1995 on this sprawling property with views of the Little Bookcliffs, and has since added wines to the traditional and fruit mead options, including Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Grigio. Tasting flights start from $7 for three wines to $15 for nine; charcuterie boards are available as well. Reservations are required for the private tours, which include a behind-the-scenes peek into production or wine-and-food pairings; rates start at $75 per person.

The tasting room at this pretty estate, which also features a lush rose garden that visitors can wander through, is more patio than indoors, although it is covered with a wooden roof and heated in the colder months. The wines—which can be tasted for free and come with a 45-minute wine education talk—include Cuvée Blanc, Primitivo, Barbera, and Nebbiolo among the dozen or so offerings. A wine cellar and dining room are available for private gatherings on a reservation-only basis. In the summer, the winery hosts a self-guided three-day Sip & Cycle event that starts at Varaison, with limited overnight accommodations available for an additional fee.