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Travel Nerd
New Mexico: Uncorked
Hit the road to some of New Mexico’s best wineries where you can sip local varietals and savor scenery. By Jazmen Bradford
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New Mexico has been a wine-growing region for nearly 400 years. The Land of Enchantment boasts numerous wine tasting rooms around the state. |
Although California often gets top billing as the U.S.’s premier wine destination, New Mexico is the county’s original wine-growing region. Wine production began here in 1633, and by the 1880s, New Mexico was the fifth-largest wine producing area in the country. Soon however, flooding along the Río Grande and prohibition nearly shut down wine production in the state.
In the past 30 years, wine making has gradually returned to the state and today, with 42 wineries, the state’s wine industry is once again thriving. The New Mexican climate is perfect for making wines as vibrant as the Southwest itself. Discover the subtle flavors and full-bodied vino that New Mexico's boutique wineries have to offer.
Northern Wine Tour
Located in the canyon country of Blanco, 200 miles northwest of Santa Fe off U.S. 64, Wines of the San Juan is an authentic taste of the Old West along a wine tour of the Land of Enchantment. They offer several red and white wines from the semi-sweet to fruity, to dry, including: Blue Winged Olive, a Riesling wine ($13); Pale Morning Dun, a blend of Chenin Blanc, Muscat, and Ugni Blanc wines ($10); and Girls are Meaner ($14), a semi-sweet Gewurztraminer wine (a German white wine).
Home of New Mexican red wines, Vivac Winery, in Embudo, some 40 miles north of Santa Fe off N.M. 68, brings the delicious taste of red wines to the north. Using only French oak barrels and state of the art stainless steel tanks, proprietors and brothers Jesse and Chris Padberg provide a wide selection of reds for any preference. From the more than 15 different wines they produce, try their Cabernet Sauvignon ($27), Merlot ($16), Dolcetto ($15), Syrah ($22) or Tempranillo ($19).
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The Muscat is a "must try" at Guadalupe Vineyards outside Albuquerque. |
Central Wine Tour
Central New Mexico has eleven wineries, but Guadalupe Vineyards, about an hour outside of Albuquerque, offers a great a pleasant, rustic atmosphere. Located in the small town of San Fidel, 60 miles west of Albuquerque off I-40, Guadalupe Vineyards is a boutique winery producing quality white wines. It must be the volcanic soils and nearby fresh water spring that feeds the grapes, because their Riesling ($28), Gewurztraminer ($30) and Muscat ($30) wines are scrumptious. All three pair well any New Mexican dish, from the main course to dessert.
While in the area, you can stop in Gruet winery’s Albuquerque tasting room; the winery is known for their sparkling wine. Also, don’t miss the pastoral villages of Corrales or Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, where you'll find a plethora of wineries.
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Amaro wines featues four red and four white varietals. |
Southern Wine Tour
A wine tour down south wouldn't be complete without stopping at Luna Rossa Winery, just west of Deming, 60 miles west of Las Cruces off I-10. One of the newest wineries in the state, Luna Rossa produces wines made entirely of New Mexico grapes (some wineries use grapes from elsewhere). With 22 tasty red and white wines, 13 of which have won gold, silver or bronze in state and international tastings, Luna Rossa makes it difficult to pick a favorite. If you go, try the Nini ($21), White Zinfandel ($8), Cabernet Sauvignon ($15), Malvasia ($10) and Viognier ($12).
Just outside of Las Cruces, Amaro Winery produces their wines with grapes grown in southern New Mexico. They feature four red wines: Amour ($8), Dolcetto ($14), Refosco ($18) and Cabernet Sauvignon ($18); four white wines: Chenin Blac ($12), Chenin Blac Dry ($12), Malvasia Bianca ($10) and Zin Rose ($8); and a special heritage wine made using a technique called Angelica ($16) that the original Spanish wine makers in New Mexico used nearly 400 years ago.
For more info on local wines, consult the New Mexico Wine Growers Association.
