The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta gets underway this weekend and runs through next Sunday, October 9th. It began at first as a small get together of several ballooning enthusiasts and has grown into the largest balloon event in the world. Even if folks do not know very much about Albuquerque or New Mexico, they still know about Balloon Fiesta.

The days are split into two sessions- the morning’s Mass Ascension and the evening’s Afterglow. Along with that, events include balloon rides, children’s events, photo contests, and hospitality tents. What became the most popular event of the Fiesta, The Special Shapes Rodeo, started in 1989 and was so popular at the start that it created traffic jams by people stopping to see the unique and exotic balloons.

For more information on this year’s Balloon Fiesta, a full list of events, or to purchase tickets, visit the official Balloon Fiesta Website: http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

And, don’t forget to make some time to spend in beautiful Santa Fe and visit us while you are here!

Estrella del Norte Vineyards are located off of the High Road to Taos (NM 503) about 7/10th of a mile.  15 minutes north of Santa Fe, this vineyard has breathtaking views, beautiful 150 year old trees and abundant gardens.

Chris Turri's Sculptures Welcome You!

"Awe of the Inland Waterway" by Richard Pankratz

"Koi Meets Girl" by John Maisano!

"Beautiful Vineyard Grounds"

"Bump" by Laurel Peterson-Gregory

Wines, wines, wines…

Finger Lakes International Wine Competition Trio

$97.00 or $82.45 for Wine Club Members (Mention Waxlander Gallery to receive the Wine Club Member price!)

Ships for an additional $22.00

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

Estate grown Pinot Noir grapes, great harvest, over 100 cases made. Light bodied with bright raspberry & soft tannins. Finishes smooth with a touch of earth.

Suggested pairing: Nuts & smoked cheese or Chicken with light sauced pastas.

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard Founders Blend

This full bodied Bordeaux style red wine is blended with Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and New Mexico grown Cabernet Franc.  A lush and heavy red blend with raspberry, blackberry, spices & chocolate. Named “Founders Blend” because of the estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and the limited supply. Less than 30 cases available.

Suggested pairing: A nice steak with a rich sauce.

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Like a starry Northern New Mexico evening, this wine is rich with deep currants and brilliant notes of black cherry, spicy clove and oak. Enjoy with a fine dinner and special someone. Elegante y Sabroso!

Suggested pairing: Roast Pork Loin.

Finger Lakes International Wine Competition Results

We entered 3 wines in the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and took 3 medals:  The first was a Gold for our estate grown 2009 Pinot Noir; Silver for our Founders Blend, blended with our estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon; and 3rd a Bronze for our 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. The Finger Lakes International Wine Competition had wines from 19 countries, all 50 United States and 6 Canadian Provinces and is one of the biggest International Wine Competitions. For the second straight year, the 11th annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition set a record for the number of entries. At the Rochester Plaza Hotel, a record-breaking 3,259 wines from 788 wineries competed for gold medals.

For more information visit http://www.estrelladelnortevineyards.com!

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard is in Nambe, just 15 minutes north of Santa Fe. Owners Richard and Eileen Reinders welcome visitors to sample their outstanding wines in their tasting room.  Have an upcoming event? The vineyard is a wonderful venue that can be booked for wedddings, wine dinners, corporate picnics and dinners, and holiday parties. It can be a do-it-yourself event, or the vineyard’s event planner partners can see to every detail. Attend the wine festival coming this summer, 2011!

Snow in the Vineyard!

Coming Soon: Waxlander Gallery and Sculpture Garden has teamed up with Estrella Del Norte Vineyards to bring a  beautiful sculpture stroll through the vineyard. Including Waxlander sculptors John Maisano, Laurel Peterson Gregory, Chris Turri, and Richard Pankratz… more artists to come!

Rancho de San Juan Country Inn

It’s the ‘Year of the Rabbit’

and Easter will soon be here ! (April 24^th)

Join us at the Rancho de San Juan for a

Hopping Easter Brunch and Spring celebration.

Seatings at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm

Complimentary Mimosa, Your Choice of Entrée and

a delicious Easter Dessert.

$47.50 per person

Tax and Service Included

Remember we are open to the public for dinner

Reservations are required

Dinner includes, four courses with choice of entrée,

complimentary beverages, tax and gratuities

$85 per person inclusive.

Advance reservations required with a 50% non-refundable deposit.

Single Seating – 7:00 PM only ( No seating after 7:15 PM )

Credit cards accepted – Visa, MC

Closed on Sunday and Monday

SAVE THE DATE !!!

MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH – MAY 8TH

11:30am, 12:30 pm and 1:30pm  seating

Reserve Early – Limited seating on the Terraces

Credit card guarantee required – Non refundable deposit

“In-Suite” Massage Services are available with 48 hour notice.Contact Rancho de San Juan Country Inn at ranchosj@windstream.net or phone at 505-763-6818.
Visit them online at www.ranchodesanjuan.com

Located in south-central New Mexico, about an hour east of Las Cruces and El Paso, Texas, Otero Mesa offers outstanding opportunities for  recreation and solitude, including hiking, camping, hunting, photography, and unsurpassed wildlife viewing.  This expansive landscape is home to mule deer, black-tailed prairie dogs, mountain lions, coyote, golden and bald eagles, 200 species of migratory songbirds, the endangered Aplomado falcon, and the state’s healthiest herd of native pronghorn antelope.

Over 500,000 acres of Otero Mesa qualify for Wilderness designation, making it the largest potential wilderness area left in New Mexico.  Thousands of ancient archeological sites can be found in Otero Mesa, including on Alamo Mountain, where petroglyphs date back 1,500 years.  Furthermore, the Salt Basin aquifer, which underlies Otero Mesa, is considered to be the state’s largest, untapped freshwater resource.  Approximately 30% of the entire Chihuahuan Desert eco-region lies north of the U.S./Mexico Border in southern New Mexico and western Texas.  Only 2.5% of the entire Desert, comprising 390,600 square miles in Mexico and the United States is under formal protection.  The majority of publicly held lands within this region are in New Mexico.

The Otero Mesa Grasslands within the Chihuahuan Desert (of southern New Mexico) has long been recognized as “special” by the State of New Mexico, our Governor, numerous state legislators and scientists, tribal and religious leaders, sportsmen, ranchers and conservationists.