Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [161]
WINE FESTIVALS
Expect plenty of chile, biscochitto, cheese and, of course, wine at these annual celebrations.
Toast of Taos Wine Festival, Taos (www.toastoftaos.com)
Albuquerque Wine Festival, Albuquerque (www.abqwinefestival.com)
Southern New Mexico Wine Festival, Las Cruces (www.snmwinefestival.com)
Harvest Wine Festival, Las Cruces (www.wineharvestfestival.com)
Bernalillo Wine Festival, Bernalillo (www.newmexicowinefestival.com)
Wine Festival at Rancho de las Golondrinas, Santa Fe (www.ranchodelasgolondrinas.com)
Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta, Santa Fe (www.santafewineandchile.org)
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The historic Old Taos Guesthouse, set on several grassy acres with fruit trees, grape arbors and panoramic views from its courtyard, offers beautiful Southwestern-style rooms and suites and delicious breakfasts. Uncork that bottle you picked up along the way and relax in the hammock before heading to dinner at the richly tapestried Joseph’s Table. Try the duck-fat fries and an organic buffalo burger at the intimate Butterfly Bar, or indulge in an upscale culinary extravaganza in the formal dining room.
Looping back from Taos, take the High Road, stopping at historic churches, galleries and hillside villages along the two-hour drive back to Santa Fe. Here, just down the street from the town plaza, is the Santa Fe Vineyards tasting room. Perhaps best known for its vaguely erotic O’Keeffe-esque labels, works of art in and of themselves, its wines have won several awards at the New Mexico State Fair and the Bernalillo Wine Festival.
End your trip through New Mexico wine country with piñon-crusted goat cheese and trout baked in adobe at La Casa Sena. Both the formal dining room and the cantina offer excellent food and an award-winning wine list, but it’s the courtyard, with a fountain and set with white tablecloths, that gives this place its charm. And just in case you find yourself wishing you had bought a few more bottles of your favorites on your trip through New Mexico wine country, don’t worry. Its boutique wine store next door offers an excellent selection from New Mexico and beyond.
Jennifer Denniston
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TRIP INFORMATION
GETTING THERE
Albuquerque sits at the intersection of I-40 and I-25, 63 miles south of Santa Fe.
DO
Anasazi Fields Winery
Bring a picnic to enjoy in the desert wilderness behind the winery. 505-867-3062; www.anasazifieldswinery.com; 26 Camino de los Pueblitos, Placitas; noon-5pm Wed-Sun Apr-Dec, weekends & by appointment Jan-Mar;
Anderson Valley Vineyards
Friendly winemakers nestled in the Rio Grande valley north of downtown Albuquerque. 505-344-7266; 4920 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque; noon-5pm Wed-Sun
Black Mesa Winery
A small winery in the Velarde valley, just off the highway on the way to Taos. 505-852-2820; 1502 Hwy 68, Velarde; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, noon-6pm Sun
Casa Rondena Winery
The most elegant tasting room in the state has grandiose buildings and peaceful gardens. 505-344-5911; www.casarondena.com; 733 Chavez Rd, Albuquerque; 10am-6pm Wed-Sat, noon-6pm Sun
Corrales Winery
Lovely little winery, set in a rural village north of Albuquerque, makes some of New Mexico’s best reds. 505-898-5165; 6275 Corrales Rd, Corrales; noon-5pm Wed-Sun
Gruet Winery
The biggest winery in New Mexico with nationally recognized sparkling wines. 505-821-0055; www.gruetwinery.com; 8400 Pan American Freeway, Albuquerque; 10am-5pm Mon-Fri, from noon Sat, tours 2pm daily
Kokkoman
Huge selection of wine, including most New Mexico wines, and knowledgeable staff. 505-585-2260; 34 Cities of Gold Rd, Pojoaque; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, from noon Sun
La ChirIpada Winery
With a little white adobe tasting room, acres of vineyards and cottonwoods lining the acequia, this peaceful winery is one of the prettiest in the state. 505-579-4437; www.lachiripada.com; Hwy 75, Dixon; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat, from noon Sun;
Milagro Vineyards
Husband-and-wife team make a Corrales Red and Corrales White at their tiny winery in the Rio Grande bosque. 505-898-3998; www.milagrowine.com;