Here are the state’s best spots for a sip and soak.
The air is thick with the odor of roasting greenish chilly and earthy piñon Natalie Wood smoke here in the Land of Enchantment , where heroic sky andotherworldly landscapesconverge . New Mexico is a plaza that excellently march to its own metre and does n’t take itself too gravely . you may have an exotic encounter in Roswell , retrace the fictionalized step ofBreaking Bad’sWalter White and Jesse Pink , or zoom above the cloud at the world ’s biggesthot gentle wind balloon festival , which take placeannually in Albuquerque .
But the United States Department of State has civilise some other unexpected experience . For instance , you might not have known that you may — and very much should — try New Mexico ’s unique , under - the - radar wine . Or that you should definitely combine the country ’s wine-coloured scene with its steamy and plentiful hot fountain . You could dowse in either natural pools of ardent , mineral - fertile waters surrounded by high desert beauty or go for a cultivated bath in a resort hotel or watering place . Turns out geminate the two bodily process is wizardry — because really , what better way to ban a hangover than a easy rest in healing waters ? From the south to the north , here are the good vineyards and hot springs to enjoy a revitalizing sip and soak .
Haven’t heard of New Mexican wine?
New Mexico ’s vino scene really started in 1629 . After Europeans took the land from the autochthonous people who have lived here for over 10,000 years , they decided to bring over crops . Two Spaniards , Fray Garcîa de Zuñiga and Antonio de Arteaga , dire for some sacramental booze , smuggle Mission grape vine vines out of Spain and into nowadays New Mexico , planting them just south of modern - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. Socorro .
Today , New Mexico is home to over 50 wineries and vinery and has three American Viticultural Areas ( AVAs ): Middle Rio Grande Valley , Mimbres Valley , and Mesilla Valley . Of those , one vinery is now fully possess and control by theSanta Ana Pueblotribe , just outside of Albuquerque . Their Pinot Noir , Chardonnay , and Pinot Meunier grapes are sent to Gruet , producers of iconicméthode Champenoisesparkling wines .
“ The innovations in sparkling wines total out of New Mexico are some of the top in the country , ” says Christopher Goblet , executive music director of the New Mexico Wine & Grape Growers Association . With hot days and coolheaded night , high top , and sandy soils , the region ’s singular terroir gives way to wines with distinct flavors .
Mona Makela Photography/Moment Open/Getty Images
The wine setting in New Mexico has n’t always received the interior attention it deserves , in part because of a series of reverse — the historic 1864 implosion therapy of the Rio Grande and 1920s - era proscription — that extinguish the manufacture several fourth dimension over . It ’s also partly because nigh all of the wines produced in New Mexico stay in New Mexico , with the unique exception , Gruet , the state ’s largest and most notable wine maker . It ’s a bit of a “ What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas ” conundrum , but once that first gustatory modality attain your lips , those in the know add up back for more .
One of the best ways to experience a myriad of labels is through wine festivals , which take place throughout the twelvemonth . famed events include the Taos Winter Wine Festival in February ; Las Cruces Wine Festival in May ; Albuquerque Wine Festival , the state ’s big vino festival , give on Memorial Day weekend ; and the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Festival in September , which is also the State Department ’s top culinary fete . But another way to get a sample of the flavor is by journeying across the land — with a soakage or two along the way .
Start your tasting in New Mexico’s deep south
vineyard and hot springs stretch across New Mexico from the southern border all the way to Taos in the Union , arrive at Santa Fe and Albuquerque on the way and covering mile of scenic desert and pines in between .
One of the first noteworthy vineyards , La Viña Winery , is the state ’s old , established in 1977 . It ’s also just 15 - 20 miles off from the border of Texas . From here , head north to make more pit stops atRio Grande Vineyards and Winery , Fort Selden Winery , andShattuck Vineyard .
Soak in Truth or Consequences
Before you get it on it , you ’ll have arrive in the quirky township of Truth or Consequences . Formerly recognise as Hot Springs , it mark its unexampled titlefrom a radio receiver secret plan show contest , and it happens to have a foresightful account as a place for passive soaking dating back to the times of the ancient Mimbres people .
It ’s home to around ten bath firm and resorts , which trace of course mineral - rich water from the aquifer on which the town sits . Riverbend Hot Springsis locate right along the Rio Grande , providing the everlasting ambiance and beautiful view of both the river and the Caballo stack . There are eight rough-cut puddle but for a picayune special you’re able to hold a private pool of your own . And for a soaking experience that also provides lodging , arrest intoSierra Grande , a Ted Turner Reserves hotel with secret indoor and outdoor soaking pool and holistic wellness services on the edge of town .
Yes, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico Is a Real Place
The weirdest town name in the Southwest.
Sip some more in Albuquerque
The next highlight in New Mexico winery can be obtain around Albuquerque . The urban center ’s honest-to-god town once had 16 wineries in the 1880 ’s before the California wine-colored diligence took over , and today , the city ’s wine scene is flourishing once more . And growing . Sawmill Marketrecently added a rosé bar andGruet Winery — God Almighty of arguably the best effervescent wine in the state — announced a 4th relishing room in 2024 .
Here , you want to be deliberate . The first closure should be atJaramillo Vineyards Tasting Roomlocated in the historical 1909 Central Hotel in Belen , just six miles from their winery and vineyards . Next , Casa Rondeña Winerystands out as a must visit for those who bonk beautiful computer architecture along with their wine . Downtown , theNoisy Water Winerytasting room is always a fun air .
bide the night at the nearbyLos Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm , where the dimension ’s fragrant lavender fields will lull you to sleep if the plenteous wine did n’t do the job . In the morning , continue north toCorrales Winery , where you could take in the spectacular opinion of the Sandia Mountains as you relish their rich , fruit - forward wines .
Casa Rondeña Winery
This Desert Hotel Smells Like Sweet Lavender Dreams
At Albuquerque’s Los Poblanos Historic Inn you can sleep amongst the blooms. And eat them, if you want.
Head north to Santa Fe
From here , it ’s about an 60 minutes ’s drive northward to get to Santa Fe , with its adobe computer architecture , vivacious fine art tantrum , and breathtaking hatful views . This next section offers a eminent - elevation wine tour , gorgeous vistas , and natural hot springs along the agency .
Begin in business district Santa Fe , at theGruet Tasting Roomat Hotel Saint Francis . Here , you may sample flying of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - base sparkling vino and a minuscule collection of still wines , including the Reserve Pinot Meunier Rose , made with grapes grown at Indigenously - owned - and - operatedSanta Ana Pueblo vineyard .
Less than a stoppage away , theHervé Wine Barserves as a lounge , bar , and eatery , where you may try D.H. Lescombes wine-coloured . Outside of town atTen Thousand Waves , a unique mountain health club that feels like a Japanese onsen , enjoy private and public soaking pools .
Rio Grande Winery
Finish your sip and soak in Taos
Next , you ’ll require to head to Taos . Though it ’s often thought of for its Indigenous heritage and a playground for both skiers andearthship habitant , in the summer , grapeshot vines take over the valley of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains . Along the scenic " Low Road to Taos , " wander through a vale beside the Rio Grande River , lies a cluster of four taste rooms : Black Mesa Wineryin Velarde ( where you may try their lush , fruity Pinot grape grigio or rich Cabernet Sauvignon sauvignon),Vivac Winery , La Chiripada Wineryin the settlement of Dixon , andEmbudo Valley Winery .
Continue northward to the Black Rock Hot Springs , a small grouping of raw hot spring bubbling alongside the Rio Grande when the river is scurvy . The town of Arroyo Hondo , home to the hot fountain , is just 13 air mile from Taos , so lay off for the night at fashion designer Raquel Allegra ’s recently renovated AirbnbMany Feathers Ranch , locate in a quiet canon at the base of Taos Ski Valley .
The next morning , head up back west to the luxuriousOjo Caliente Mineral Springs , where you ’ll need to take your clock time and expend a Nox or two . One of the first health spas in the country , the water was thought by the Native Americans to be the water system of the gods . Several of their multiple geothermal soak puddle are specify by their medicinal properties like iron and soda ash , but for an especially indulgent experience , leger a individual soak . And play a especial friend . With enclosed secret areas , vesture is optional .
Riverbend Hot Springs
Casa Rondeña Winery
Hervé Wine Bar
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
