Finding wine country in a beer state

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

A courtyard at Maison la Belle Vie provides a picturesque place to enjoy a glass of cabernet sauvignon.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

Bike racks are at many wineries, including Red Fox Cellars. "There's not a lot of wine in the state made from outside Palisade," said Doug Caskey, executive director of the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

At Red Fox Cellars, wines are aged in bourbon barrels from Colorado distilleries.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

The tasting room at Canyon Wind Cellars used to be the office of owner Jay Christianson's father, who planted the first vines in 1991.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

Winemakers in Palisade are angling for Colorado to sit squarely on the map as a wine -- not just brewery -- destination.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

An underground cellar for wine barrels at Canyon Wind Cellars naturally controls temperature and humidity.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

After working as a boarding-school teacher, owner Jay Christianson took over the family wine estate. He and his wife, the co-owner, like to "play mad scientist" with their blends.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

The tasting room at Maison la Belle Vie includes French touches -- the winemaker and chef's family has been making wine for more than a century in France.

Alison Bowen, Chicago Tribune

Palisade is known for peach orchards, alpacas and wineries. The town motto? "Life tastes good here all year round."