Despite wind, crowd raises a glass at Wine Festival
May 28, 2011
By Christine Rogel/Las Cruces Sun-News
LAS CRUCES - The gusty winds Saturday presented a new challenge for those who may have been left a bit unsteady by the wine during the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival.
But event manager Stephany Tredo said she didn't expect the windy weather to keep many people at bay over the holiday weekend.
"I think more people will come out earlier, but everyone is still looking for something to do over Memorial weekend," Tredo said, expecting the festival to draw between 12,000 and 15,000 people over the course of three days.
This is the 19th year for the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival, which had a large stage for bands in the center of the grounds, and about 50 vendors - selling everything from cinnamon glazed nuts and wine jellies, to tie-dyed items and cutlery - lining the periphery. Children's activities were stationed at the north end of the fairgrounds, with a climbing wall and inflatable bounce house. And about 18 New Mexico wineries set up shop to offer tastings and sell bottles of wine.
"I think for any winery, this is a huge selling point, because your customers are right there, they're sampling and if they like it they are going to buy a bottle," said Jennifer Emery, manager of the tasting room at St. Clair Winery in Deming.
Emery, overseeing the seven St. Clair booths at the festival, said people are often surprised by the variety and quality of New Mexico wines.
"Of course you have the younger ones, you know, that like to get drunk or intoxicated, but you also have those that really want to know some of the wine - the details, to actually taste the flavor - and what's really nice about the festival is it's showcasing all New Mexico wines," she said.
Shana Dillon, from El Paso, sat at a table near the entrance of the festival, checking off a list of wines she had sampled.
"I've actually, I think, tried all the white wines, here," she said laughing, explaining that red wine was too strong and that she enjoyed the sweeter, lighter wines.
"Today I think we might (buy) four or five (bottles.) That's not too many, compared to what I've seen some people buy here," she said.
Today's entertainment roster includes the Mixx Band and Las Cruces' own country star ,Josh Grider. Billy Townes and Guitar Slim will close on Monday.
Between set breaks, Jerry Phillips, frontman for the Cadillac Kings, who played Saturday, said this was the band's third year at the festival.
"I love it. You can't beat it. We're having kind of a windy day, but a good day. A lot of people are showing up and they all look happy," he said smiling.
Courtesy The Las Cruces Sun-News
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