Vino Salida Wine Cellars

We pulled into the driveway from the east with confidence, for this was our second visit to Vino Salida Wine Cellars. 

The routine for this Harvest Host stay was familiar. We backed into our RV spot and  jumped out of our pickup to admire amazing Colorado mountain tops dusted with snow. The tasting room sits in a prime location, a throne if you will, allowing wine enthusiasts a 360° view of the surrounding mountains. Along with the white peaks, the mountains glimmered with the golden color of the aspen leaves claiming autumn has arrived.

Vino Salida Wine Cellars sits on its royal hilltop location in Poncha Springs, Colorado. Poncha Springs is known as the “Crossroads of the Rockies,” claims Undercover Colorado. It is a unique highway town with a population of about 1,000 that lies at the intersection of US-50 and 285. It sits snuggly in a valley surrounded by The San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 7,465 feet. The town shares details of its Historical Perspectives. Long before Poncha Springs started to boom in the 1870s, the Ute Indians spent their summers here, and many expeditions of military, trappers, and prospectors traveled in and out of the valley.

Vino Salida Wine Cellars is a wine bar and tasting room that attracts not only locals, but outdoor enthusiasts, RV travelers, and other tourists traveling from all four directions. Vino Salida provides a variety of well-made Colorado craft wines and tasty snacks locally sourced in a welcoming atmosphere. We are through travelers headed south for the winter with much appreciation for the overnight rest, refreshment and fun conversations at the bar. 

Vino Salida Wine Cellars opened their parking lot for Harvest Hosts over five years ago. Since then, hundreds of Host members have written positive reviews. Kim and Rob wrote, “We were excited to learn we were their first HH guests. Great local winery that sits at the base of the Rockies. We had a great wine tasting. Great place to stop!“

Sfontaine, a Harvest Host member who stayed just 2 days before us, wrote, “Steve was an awesome host. He has done such a beautiful job creating a little piece of wine paradise in the Salida area.” 

About 200 miles away is another little piece of paradise, Palisade, Colorado, a fabulous little wine country near Grand Junction on Colorado’s Western Slope where Vino Salida sources its grapes. Palisade is a quaint community with several successful vineyards due to the mountain breezes that keep the fruit on their vineyards cool under the hot Colorado sun. Locally sourced craft wine from Vino Salida made with love. We couldn’t walk away without a bottle to take with us.

Several visitors to Vino Salida before us have taken the time to comment on their positive experiences at the wine cellars. Vino Salida’s positive Google reviews are packed with words of delight, such as  Roman_lol, a local guide for Google, who wrote this about Vino. “Immaculate flavors, intricate and peaceful ambience. A tranquil environment in peaceful Salida, Colorado.” A year ago, Ron Rees made this claim, “Vino is a fantastic place for some wine tasting and snacks. The live music on Friday night was fun. The staff were awesome and super friendly.”

I know I have said this before, but it’s worth repeating. My positive experiences as a Harvest Host member continuously bring me to amazing gems. There is no doubt in my mind that we will visit Vino Salida Wine Cellars again.  Our next trip through the Rocky Mountains must be on a Friday evening when we can enjoy the live music and hopefully meet the fabulous owner that so many guests enjoy.