Raise a glass

Though the New Mexico Wine Festival is still months away, there’s another option to help fill the void during the cold season.

The ninth annual Vines in the Pines Art and Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Ruidoso Convention Center. The event is highlighted by 13 participating wineries and a variety of fine art and vendors on hand. Admission includes a complimentary wine glass and samples at each winery.

“Initially we were working with the New Mexico Wine Growers Association just to bring another event to Ruidoso during the slower season,” Deborah Douds, executive director of the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce, said. “Our snowpack is not what it used to be, and so we just wanted another event. We started doing it during the winter, and then we eventually decided that it (will always be on) President’s Day weekend so it’s a three-day weekend.

“It gives people a chance to come to Riudoso to enjoy winter in the mountains and then also to enjoy New Mexico wine. And this year it just happens to be President’s Day weekend and Valentine’s Day is the same weekend. So it’s a double holiday.”

The wineries are primarily from New Mexico, with the exception of HJ Winery, which is based in El Paso. There are options from throughout the state including wineries from Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Mora, Tularosa and Pecos. There will also be two breweries on hand (Downshift Brewing Co. and Lost Hiker Brewing Co.) and a bourbon tasting hosted by Ruidoso-based bar Win Place and Show.

There’s even an opportunity for pets to get in on the fun. One of the vendors attending, Bark Bar, offers a nonalcoholic drink offering for dogs among its products.

“So when you sit down with a glass of wine, you can give your dog a drink as well,” Douds said.

The Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce no longer works with the New Mexico Wine Growers Association to put on the event, but it remains a popular attraction. According to Douds, approximately 1,500 people will attend the festivities over the course of two days. It’s not uncommon for visitors to incorporate the festival into an entire weekend of activities.

“Not only do we have the wine festival, the ski area is open,” Douds said. “We’ve got winter tubing that is open, which is a lot of fun. And then, of course, our midtown shopping area, nightlife, (and) the casinos… So it’s a great, great place to spend the weekend.”

And again, it’s also a tasty appetizer for wine festival enthusiasts.

“This is just more of the same, a chance to come out, see some of your favorite wineries from around the state, maybe find a new favorite winery and just enjoy some wine,” Douds said. “We’ll have tables so you can sit down and listen to music and just relax.”