Ever since Theresa and her husband Scott purchased their first peach orchard in 1999, they dreamed of planting one of Colorado’s finest vineyards. In 2007, they began growing wine grapes for their Colterris wine brand. “Owning the orchards and vineyards has been a dream come true,” Theresa says.
Situated directly above the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, their orchards and vineyards benefit from the area’s special growing conditions. During the growing season, the warm days and cool nights of Palisade have historically produced the sweetest and most flavorful peaches in America. “We have an added advantage in Colorado,” Scott says. “Being at 4,800 feet above sea level, we have more intense sunlight which contributes to the concentrated sugars and rich complex flavors that allow us to grow premium peaches and wine grapes and to make world-class Colterris wines.”
Over the past 14 years, the business has grown to over 126 acres planted to 32,000 peach trees, 35,000 grape vines and 1,000 cherry trees. The Highs say that Palisade reminds them of Sonoma County, CA thirty years ago. The family produces world-class Bordeauxstyled wines, including their award winning Colterris Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and “Coral” White Cabernet Sauvignon. All of their wines are produced from wine grapes grown in their estate vineyards.