Time to Wine Down in Ruidoso
Napa Valley. Bordeaux. Argentina. New Zealand. All of these far-flung places support regions that produce some of the world’s finest wines. Ruidoso may not be a top destination for wine lovers, but if you take the time to look, you might be surprised as to what you will find. Join us as we continue to explore some of the worthy and impressive but lesser known attractions and aspects of our unique region.
Sure, southern New Mexico embraces a reputation that often harkens back to the wild west, where lawlessness and rough-and-tumble living were the status quo. These days, that history has survived in less extreme forms and can be reflected in local events and favorites such as biker rallies, cold beer, and big game hunting. More and more visitors, however, are expressing a penchant for refined tastes and sophisticated palates.
The wine scene in and around New Mexico has, in fact, been viable and thriving for many years. Grape production in the 1800’s was a thriving industry. While things tapered off in the 1900’s after Prohibition, production has picked up again and New Mexico now features 60 wineries that produce almost one million gallons of wine, annually. In fact, the largest producer of grapes in New Mexico is located in Deming, just three hours west of Ruidoso.
The varietals that can be found in New Mexico vary widely. The region may be too warm and dry for some varietals such as Pinot Noir, but dry, “bigger” reds made from traditional French grapes such as Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon are offered by wineries such as Tularosa Vineyards. Gruet, out of Albuquerque, produces an entire line-up of critically acclaimed sparkling wines.
And let’s not forget that spirit of western creativity, reflected in the many non-traditional wines that are often sweet or flavored with local flavors such as — what else? — chiles. Local stand-out Noisy Water Winery offers wines flavored with both green and red chiles, and their Malvasia Blanca recently brought home a double gold medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Festival.
If you’re visiting Ruidoso and you’re looking for some good wine, visit the experts at Cork & Kettle or Noisy Water Winery’s tasting room. Both are located in downtown Ruidoso and offer a wide selection of gourmet items, as well as wine tastings.
Want a change of scenery? All summer long, the Apache Tee clubhouse at the Inn of the Mountain Gods hosts “Wine Down Wednesdays,” where $20 buys you samples of the featured wines, live music, and a great view of Sierra Blanca.
Finally, for those looking to pair their wine with food, some of the best wine lists in Ruidoso can be found at the following restaurants: Michael J’s, Grill Caliente, The Ranchers, The Texas Club, and Wendell’s.
Whether you’re a novice sipper or a veteran wine snob, we encourage you to spend some time learning about the wines of New Mexico and explore all that the area has to offer. Cheers!
—Leroy Smith
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Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wine
7288 US Hwy. 54, Alamogordo
(575) 434-0035
www.heartofthedesert.com
Noisy Water Winery (Ruidoso store)
2342 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso
(575) 257-9335
www.noisywaterwinery.com
Tularosa Vineyards
23 Coyote Canyon Road, Tularosa
(575) 585-2260
www.tularosavineyards.com
The Cork & Kettle Wine Bar
2801 Sudderth Dr Suite B, Ruidoso
(575) 257-6112
www.thecorkandkettle.com
Gruet Wines
8400 Pan American Freeway N.E., Albuquerque
(505) 821-0055
www.gruetwinery.com
