Carlson Vineyards

The Parker Carlson family loves cats – three of them roam the winery and tasting room, basking in attention from visitors. The Carlsons are also among Colorado’s wine pioneers. They planted their first Riesling vineyard in 1981 and opened the winery in Palisade in 1988.

Specializing in Riesling, Gewurztraminer and fruit wines – all of which do well on Colorado’s Western Slope – Carlson also produces such mavericks as “T.Rex Red,” sporting an image of Tyrannosaurus rex on the label. Carlson’s Cherry wine – its cherry pie aroma makes you think someone just pulled a steaming pie out of the oven – always sells out in the tasting room.

The “cat” label may make you smile, but so does the 2005 Gewurz, a charmer with aromas of tropical fruit, a hint of rose petal and oriental spices. Beautifully balanced, lightly sweet with crisp acidity, it quite bowled over judges at the 2006 Colorado Winefest Competition in September. The wine was awarded a unanimous gold and “Best of Whites” honors.

Parker Carlson calls his Gewurz “a nose dipper – you can just hang your nose in the glass and breathe.”

Reviewed November 16, 2006 by Barbara Ensrud.