Something to Wine About

It’s never too late in the season for a wine festival, or so it would seem. While most viniculture events tend to fall between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the village of Tularosa waits to squeeze the last drops of vin ordinaire from the season during the Tularosa Wine & Art Festival, held over the weekend of October 26 & 27. So, whether you’re adding to your serious kit, or just looking for a natty juice to glug, this is the place to be.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Tularosa, the festival features fine wines from New Mexico wineries, along with local art, vendors, and live music. Food vendors include Dr. Munchies Y Mas and Tularosa Taco Company, while arts and crafts vendors include Pam’s Original Handmade Jewelry, Lularose, Witch Country Girls, Suggs Music & Muggs, LaFave Sweets, and Three Rivers Trading Company, among many others. Souvenir wine glasses will be available for swag collectors.

“Tularosa is not very far from Las Cruces so it’s a great way to get away for the day,” said festival organizer Lisa Maloy. “We used to have it at the church, which was a great venue, and everybody loved it, but the church is no longer allowing events on the grounds, so we moved it to the winery. I think people will appreciate that. There are not a lot of wine festivals at actual wineries. Also, last weekend’s Corks and Shells event had to be cancelled because of weather, so this is another chance to get out and celebrate with us. The weather should be a lot better.”

Of course, a wine festival is only as good as the wines being offered, and this year the organizers have made sure to include not only a wide selection of vineyards and wineries from across the state, but also some of the finest. Among those will be Tularosa Vineyards, DH Lescombes from Deming, Shattuck Vineyard from Caballo, Chavez Brothers Winery from Belen, Noisy Water Winery from Ruidoso, Sheehan Winery from Albuquerque, and Sombra Antigua Winery from Anthony. Which means you can sample smashable offerings at a very punchy price, and who doesn’t love that?

Live music is also a big part of the festival, and this year some of the best local acts will be represented. “We have some great local acts this year,” Maloy said. “Our own local band, Rosewater Blues is a big draw here and they’ll be playing both days.”

Scheduled to make appearances on the main stage this year are Captain Klas, 12:30-3 p.m.; Chris Baker, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; and Rosewater Blues, 6-9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26; and Dale Young, 12-3 p.m. and Rosewater Blues, 3-6 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Maloy points out that even though the festival is later in the season, it’s by design so that attendees can escape the heat and enjoy the mild fall weather Tularosa is known for. The best part about it?

“Tularosa is a small town with a big heart,” she said. “What you’ll find here is great wine, great food, and great people. What more could you ask for?

Tularosa Wine & Art Festival, 12-6 p.m., Oct. 26-27, at Tularosa Vineyards, 23 Coyote Canyon Rd., Tularosa. Info: 575-585-2260