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Festivals offer wine, beer, food, music and more

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For many, Memorial Day allows for a three-day weekend and provides time to remember and celebrate the memories of military members who have passed.

The holiday also provides the chance to gather with family and friends and kick off the summer season with gatherings and grilling and even a trip to the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival.

This year, a new festival offers beverage sampling, food and fun and the opportunity to visit two different events.

The annual wine festival takes place noon to 6 p.m., Saturday to Monday, May 28-30 at the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds.

In addition, the Red White and Brew Wine and Beer Festival, also noon to 6 p.m. Saturday to Monday, takes place at the New Mexico State University Intramural Field.

Both events will feature live music, food and crafts.

Wine festival

The price at the gate is $20 and tickets include a commemorative glass to go along with unlimited tastings.

A designated driver ticket is offered for $5 for anyone volunteering to stay sober and get others home safely.

Those who wish to drink must have a valid photo ID.

The festival offers free round-trip shuttle rides from the Mesilla Valley Mall to the Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Pick up will be in the Mesilla Valley Mall parking lot near the Don Roser Avenue entrance. The shuttle will run from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wineries on hand include:

• Luna Rossa - All wines are produced exclusively with grapes grown in vineyards located near Deming.

• Vivac – Located in Dixon, New Mexico, this vineyard is about 45 miles north of Santa Fe.

• Dos Viejos - Is located in the village of Tularosa and offers a wide variety of wines all made with Mexico Grapes

• Jaramillo Vineyards - Has more than 10,000 plants to produce wine in the micro- climate of the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

• Black Mesa – Voted the Best of Taos for 2016.

• Ponderosa Valley – Literally from the Ponderosa Valley, it is the largest Riesling vineyard in New Mexico.

• Wines of the San Juan – Based in Blanco, New Mexico, near Farmington, offers wine such as Girls Are Meaner and Sweet Jenner Rose.

• La Esperanza – This Sherman, New Mexico winery, offers 12 wines ranging from sweet to dry.

• Shattuck – From Caballo, New Mexico, boasts ArRey of Chardonnay as its newest addition.

• Gruet – Specializes in Methode Champenoise sparkling wines.

• Tularosa Vineyards – Started with 10 acres in 1985, the winery opened in 1989.

• Amaro – Las Cruces winery earned a Gold Medal for award-winning Refosco.

• La Nueve Niñas – Based out of Angel Fire, New Mexico, the vineyard has been run by four generations of the same family.

Brew Wine and Beer

Set for Memorial Day weekend, the Red White and Brew Wine and Beer Festival will offer Las Cruces area and outof- town wineries and brewers for attendees to sample. In all, 14 wineries and four breweries will be on hand for the new festival set noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28 to Monday, May 30 at the New Mexico State University Intramural Field.

“There’s been a lot of excitement building for this festival, and we’ve really tried to build on the past,” said Staci Mays, event planner of the Red White & Brew festival. “We wanted to offer something for everyone, with both beer and wine samples at one event. Plus, we wanted to have it in town, so it’s easier to get to without having to drive out of town.”

Admission is $20 at the gate. NMSU students with ID and Veterans receive a $1 discount on Monday, May 30. Adult admission for age 21 and over includes a souvenir wine or beer tumbler. Under 21 is free with a parent or legal guardian. All guests must have a valid photo ID, regardless of age. Designated drivers pay $10 and receive a free bottle of water.

The festival will feature the following breweries:

• Heart of the Desert Brewery – Hailing from Alamogordo, this brewery has a range of brews.

• Picacho Peak Brewing Company – One of Las Cruces’ newest breweries, famous for Roadrunner IPA.

• Spotted Dog Brewery – A Mesilla brewery specializing in ales and IPAs, including seasonal brews and more.

• High Desert Brewing Co. – A longtime Las Cruces brewery that offers handcrafted lagers and ales.

In addition, the following wineries will be sampling their wares:

• St. Clair Winery – All of the Deming- based winery’s wines will be on hand.

• DH Lescombes Reserve – Award-winning wines will be on hand.

• Blue Teal Vineyards – A New Mexico winery with a wide range of varieties.

• San Felipe Winery – Featuring full-bodied, sweet red and white wines.

• Don Quixote Winery – Hand-crafted wine and spirits out of Jaconita, New Mexico.

• Soleil Mimosa – New Mexico sparkling wines with orange, pineapple or mango juice.

• Hatch Chile Wines – Blending the spiciness of red or green chile with New Mexico wine.

• Viños de los Muertos – Commemorative bottles of wine with a Day of the Dead theme.

• Kokopelli Winery – A longtime Arizona winery.

• Arizona Wine Cellars – Featuring flavors from some of Arizona’s best wineries.

• Plum Loco – A sweet wine with flavors of plum and dark cherry.

• Grove Selections – Various varieties of non-traditional flavors.

• Spare Tire – A new, niche winery introducing unique New Mexico wines.

• Plum Loco & Summer Peach Slushies – Frozen combination of wine and shaved ice.

Regular admission is $20 at the gate or $15 in advance online. Adult admission for age 21 and over includes a souvenir wine or beer tumbler.




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