Hot summer days and cool mountain breezes during the summer evenings create excellent sugar content and flavorful juice in the fruit raised in Delta County. The producers here have discovered that the dry climate mixed with a good water flow make this an ideal area for growing grapes, apples, cherries and a wide variety of other fruits.   Cooler soils help keep a perfect acid balance providing fruity and intense juices, leading to delightful wines.  It is no surprise that Delta County farms are fast becoming a favorite marketplace for many visitors and residents.   

If you are craving some fresh-from-the-farm tastes, the roadside stands are still in full bloom. Check the crop calendar to see the produce is at it's peak.

Farm, ranch and winery tours have been developed. If you would like to get information about those tours click here or  send us an e-mail.

Try this wonderful mountain festival, steeped in tradition and stirred with innovative fun. For more information:  www.mountainharvestfestival.com/ or Mtn. Harvest Festival - Paonia 970-527-3424 

Another great festival celebrating the harvest of the Apples is held annually in Cedaredge. This year come by for AppleFest  This is a great opportunity to taste the fresh sweetness of many varieties of apples. This community event features great entertainment in the Park Pavilion

MORE FUN WITH AGRICULTURE

Grape harvests in Delta County occur between Mid-August to Mid October with most of the harvests occurring in September.  Harvest is followed immediately by the crush. This is an interesting process and many wineries will allow you to come and observe. Don't expect to see women stomping grapes in big barrels as in the popular scene from an "I Love Lucy" episode, but you will be able to observe this unique part of the winemaking business. Call your favorite winery to see when would be a good time watch or even join in!

Many roadside fruit stands have fresh produce from late June through October. Cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, pears, apples plus vegetables and herbs can be found throughout the county’s stands. Much of the produce is organically grown. Many of the farms have value added products, i.e. Fire Mountain Fruit (jellies, jams and syrups), Green Valley Herbal (herbal teas and lotions), Leroux Creek (applesauce).

Red Mountain Ranches in Cedaredge is along the Grand Mesa National Scenic Byway and produces some of their own products, along with other favorites, including a wine tasting room.

Several marketing co-ops have been formed by ranchers to sell branded beef.  National awards have been won by cattlemen for their conservation efforts in the North Fork Valley. Much of the beef is produced organically. Bison, ostrich and elk are also raised in Delta County with the meat being sold in various stores. Homestead Beef located in Paonia carries products from many of these ranches, elk, lamb, beef and salsas made from local fruit orchards. Hardin's outside of Hotchkiss also carry local elk and bison meat plus other products from the county.

www.vogaco.org

www.ruralroots.org

www.slowfoodusa.org