Big expansion on the way for wine country hotspot

A Grand Valley and wine country staple is getting a bit of a makeover.

The Wine Country Inn is the first hotel you see when driving into the Grand Valley from the mountains. Staff at Wine Country Inn are planning big things for the ballroom and kitchen, and the restaurant will move to the front of the hotel.

"It's going to help our weddings to be able to accommodate larger wedding parties and larger corporate retreats," said Ian Kelley, the general manager of the inn.

It'll allow the capacity of the room to increase by nearly 80 people

"Be able to bring in extra guests to Palisade and show off what Palisade has to offer," said Kelley. "A kitchen that was meant for breakfast has been running two restaurants and catering events and breakfast and it's very tight in there."

"It can be a really daunting task to get everything delivered hot on time when you're doing an event plus servicing two restaurants," said Jean Tally, the co-owner of the inn.

That'll be a thing of the past.

"Increased cooler space for refrigeration and bar space and washing and everything will be included," said Kelley.

Customers will benefit from these add-ons, as well.

"You'll be able to walk in the door and be sat and enjoy without having a big huge wait," said Kelley.

The restaurant portion will be moving locations, as well. It's in the middle of the hotel right now, and it'll be moving to the northeast side much closer to the kitchen.

"You'll be able to sit in Caroline's now and look out towards Mt. Garfield and enjoy the beauty of Bookcliffs and enjoy the vineyards," said Kelley.

By bringing the restaurant to the front, it'll be right on two handicap spaces but they will be moved just on the other side of that street.

They're expecting to break ground right after the new year. The ballroom will be done at the end of March. The kitchen and restaurant won't be finished until the summer of next year.