As one of the United States more unique and independent winemaking regions in the heart of the Southwest, New Mexico has a rich and layered wine country just waiting for wine lovers to pour into.

New Mexico has a rich wine history that took a lot of twists and turns throughout the years. Although the state didn’t have an easy start when it came to producing wine, today it continues to grow across the region. Today, New Mexico is home to more than 60 wineries and produces 900,000 gallons of wine annually.

Vineyards in the state are located across the north, central and southern regions of New Mexico in five major wine regions. Of these regions, there are currently three American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).

New Mexico has a long history of wine production in the states that dates back to the 17th century. In 1629, a Franciscan friar, García de Zúñiga, and a Capuchín monk named Antonio de Arteaga were the first to plant wine grapes in the Río Grande Valley of southern New Mexico. Viticulture in the valley continued to grow, by 1880, there were 3,000 acres worth of grapes in the region, and wineries produced more than one million gallons of wine. National Prohibition halted the expansion of the wine industry in New Mexico in 1920. The rebirth of the wine industry didn’t flourish again until the 1970’s when a government sponsored study encouraged winegrowers to plant French hybrid grapes. Today, New Mexico has more than 50 wineries and produces 900,000 gallons of wine annually.

The New Mexico wine regions produces more than 70 different varieties of grapes.

Read on to find Carpe Travel’s first-hand travel tips and recommendations to help make your stay in the New Mexican wine country a memorable one.

There are 50+ wineries in New Mexico, here are a few of our favorites.

Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta
The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta celebrates five days of events featuring 90 national wineries and 75 of Santa Fe’s best restaurants. The festivities include cooking demos, wine seminars, and winery luncheons and dinners. The fiesta culminates with the Grand Tasting at the legendary Santa Fe Opera venue where all participating restaurants and wineries will serve samples. The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta is a one-of-a-kind event  and a great way for visitors to get to Santa Fe in the fall season to experience the famous green chile harvest/roasting season as well as the inventive pairings of Santa Fe’s gourmet cuisine with wines from around the country.