Our winemaking started as a home hobby almost 25 years ago. Winemaking equipment had taken over our kitchen and spare rooms before we gave into our passion. In 1981 we planted our first wine grapes and in 1988 we established Carlson Vineyards in a vintage 1930s fruit-packing shed on four acres above Palisade, Colorado.

Situated in the first federally designated grape-growing appellation in Colorado, named "Grand Valley", Carlson Vineyards was the fourth winery to be licensed in the state.

Since our first harvest, our wines have enjoyed much success both locally and nationally. In 1997 our Prairie Dog Blush and Cherry wines were featured at a wine tasting event for first class passengers on Amtrak's California Zephyr, the overnight train between Denver and Salt Lake City. In May of 2000, our Tyrannosaurus Red was sipped by guests at the unveiling ceremonies of "Sue," the worlds largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus-Rex skeleton, at the Chicago Field Museum. Carlson wines have also won numerous awards including a bronze medals for their 2000 Lemberger (Tyrannosaurus Red) in the San Francisco International Wine Competition and for their 2001 Gewurztraminer in the International Eastern Wine Competition.

Today, Carlson Vinyards is a favorite stop for both locals and visitors. It was chosen "Best of the West" winery in 1999 by readers of a regional newspaper and it has been written about in "National Geographic Traveler," "Sunset Magazine", and the "Los Angeles Times."