Whenever I visit a winery, I sigh deeply and say, “I wish I never had to leave.” The wine’s delightful taste, the vineyards’ scenic beauty, and the warm hospitality make me content.
Some Colorado wineries do want you to make yourself right at home — albeit not forever. Many now offer on-site lodging through vacation rentals, guest houses, inns, campsites, and more.
For your next wine-infused getaway, here’s a snapshot of some Colorado wineries that will let you spend the night.
Stone Cottage Cellars
In the mid-1990s, Brent and Karen Helleckson tired of Boulder’s hustle and bustle. While they still had their day jobs on the Front Range, they spent three years commuting to the North Fork Valley, where they built a stone cottage in Paonia using fieldstone cleared from the land.
In 1997, they moved into the cottage with their two small children, trading their corporate jobs for a life of growing grapes and making wine. Eventually, they outgrew the abode and moved into a bigger house next door, but they kept their beloved stone cottage, and since 2012, they’ve been sharing it with visitors.
Today, it’s a cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom guesthouse steps from the vineyards and the tasting room. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet Gibbs, the family’s friendly 10-year-old black lab/heeler mix who gladly accepts pets and scratches.
Whether or not you choose to spend the night, bookmark the winery’s events calendar. Stone Cottage Cellars is hosting a series of barrel-tasting and gourmet food and wine pairings on their scenic property this summer. stonecottagecellars.com
Twee Wingerd Plaas
Imagine fishing from the dock of a serene pond while gazing up at Mount Garfield — with a glass of wine in hand. You can do that and more while spending the night at Plaas Huis, the South African-inspired farmhouse at Twee Wingerd Plaas, or TWP, in Clifton.
Edwin Mocke, an architect born and raised in South Africa, and Shari Cahill, an interior designer, founded the winery. Together, they created a rugged and refined space where people could sip wine comfortably while enjoying Colorado’s natural landscape.
Guests who stay at the winery’s four-bedroom guest house can also use a pickleball court, archery, hammocks, paddle boats, paddle boards, and outdoor games like badminton and croquet. Once the sun goes down, make s’mores in one of the outdoor fire pits. There’s even a hot tub that looks like an oversized wine barrel.
The 25-acre biodynamic property includes 7 acres of pinot gris and pinot blanc vines, peacocks, goats, lambs and a llama. And that’s just outside.
The adobe guest house is stunning, with massive windows, exposed wooden columns, a fireplace, curated antique furniture and whimsical South African decor. twpwinery.com
Two Rivers Winery & Chateau
You’ll feel transported to the French countryside when you book a room at Two Rivers Winery & Chateau — but you’ll be just a 10-minute drive from downtown Grand Junction.
Owners Bob and Billie Witham built the property from scratch on 15 acres of vacant land in 1999. Fast-forward 25 years, and Two Rivers is one of Grand Junction’s most iconic (and beautiful) sites.
The chateau has 10 rooms, each with a view of the on-site vineyards and the Book Cliffs or neighboring Colorado National Monument. Stays include complimentary wine tastings and a daily breakfast buffet.
The property is a popular venue for weddings and other events. If you decide to hold an event here, all rooms are included in the rental.
Even if you don’t have time to spend the night, you can still enjoy tours and tastings at this family-operated winery.
Carboy Winery at Mt. Garfield Estate
Spend the afternoon sipping petite pearl, chambourcin, la crescent and other luscious wines on the second-floor deck of Carboy Winery’s Palisade location, where you can gaze out over tidy rows of grape vines with Mount Garfield as the backdrop
Then, when you’re ready to turn in for the evening, retreat to the winery’s estate house, a recently renovated 3-bedroom home located next to the tasting room.
The house has a massive stone fireplace, a lush grass lawn and a breezy covered patio where you can grill out with friends and family.
And though you might be tempted to sleep in, be sure to set your alarm so you don’t miss the stunning sunrise over the vineyard.
Carboy’s tasting room offers flights and wines by the glass and bottle.
For non-wine drinkers, there’s beer, hard cider, wine seltzers and spirits, charcuterie boards, and other snacks.
Wine Country Inn
You know you’ve arrived when you finally spot the Wine Country Inn from I-70.
This 80-room hotel is an ideal basecamp for visiting Palisade, Fruita, and Grand Junction, regardless of the season.
The Tally family owns the inn, which is set on 21 acres of vineyards used to make wines under the family’s Grand River Vineyards label.
During free afternoon tastings, Guests can sample viognier, sauvignon blanc, riesling, and other styles.
There’s an on-site bar called the Tapestry Lounge and a restaurant named Caroline’s, where you can feast on dishes highlighting Colorado’s abundance — like achiote grilled elk loin and Palisade peach bread pudding.
Your stay includes breakfast, and you can also take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool and year-round hot tub.
The team will even prepare you a cute little to-go snack bag to take with you as you explore the valley.
Maison La Belle Vie
The name of this Palisade winery couldn’t be more fitting: Maison La Belle Vie means “house of beautiful life” in French.
Nicholas and Holly Games, who purchased the property in 2021, created a little slice of paradise on this 4.5-acre vineyard, planted with muscat, marechal foch, cabernet franc, crimson cabernet, landot noir and leon millot grapes.
The shady courtyard is the perfect place to wile away the afternoon while sipping a wine flight and admiring the views of the vines and the Book Cliffs — and, since there’s a bistro on-site, you can order lunch or dinner. (Get the roasted caprese and thank me later.)
Guests who want to spend even more time here can check into the newly renovated guest loft, a charming studio with a queen bed just above the tasting room.
Before you head up for the night, grab a bottle of Vin de Peche, a beloved dessert wine made from muscat grapes and peaches using a recipe that’s been handed down since the late 1800s.
Other options
Sutcliffe Vineyards in Cortez has a “Tower Suite” with a queen-sized bed, 16-foot windows and views of the Sleeping Ute mountain.
Claremont Inn & Winery in Stratton is a 10-bedroom country mansion where you can sip wines made in 30-bottle batches.
Berkeley Estate Cellars in Olathe has four modern villas — each with its own private hot tub — available for booking on Airbnb.
Multiple Colorado wineries allow guests with RVs to park overnight via Harvest Hosts, a Vail-based membership platform. You’ll need to buy an annual membership (starting at $99), but then you can camp for free — usually, hosts have a one-night max stay. Members are also encouraged to purchase something from the host during every stay.