FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 12, 2012
CONTACT: Erica Asmus-Otero (505) 259-2202 Erica@griffinassoc.com

Good Spirits, Wine Sure to Abound at 26th Annual ‘Taos Winter Wine Fest,’ Jan. 24-28

TAOS, NM — Certain to be the jolliest time since Santa Claus came to town, the 26th annual “Taos Winter Wine Festival” will give wine lovers a taste of the good life in Taos with special wine pairing dinners, food and wine tastings, and wine seminars. The Festival takes place at a number of locations throughout Taos and Taos Ski Valley (TSV) from January 24 through 28, 2012.

Uncorking the weekend, on Thursday, January 26, is the “Taste of Taos and Reserve Tasting,” featuring signature appetizers from dozens of Taos’ best restaurants, complemented with reserve wines from 30 participating U.S. wineries. This opening night Reserve Tasting includes a silent auction to benefit the Taos High School Culinary Arts Program. Reservations are required, as seating is limited. Cost is $75 per person, and includes free shuttle from Snakedance at Taos Ski Valley to elegant El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, where the tasting will take place.

Quench the thirst for knowledge with two wine seminars featuring rare wines from both Heitz Martha’s Vineyard and Ravenswood, also taking place on January 26. Daniel Vu pours a rare seven-vintage vertical wine from one of Napa’s legendary Cabernets, ranging from 2001 through 2006. Peter Mathis will pour and discuss Ravenswood’s Petite Sirah and Cariagne, two varietals that play significant roles in Zinfandel blends. Both wine seminars are $50 each and will be held at the TSV Resort Center between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

On Friday, January 27, enjoy a variety of wines and learn about their history at any of three wine seminars – “2008 Calera Mt. Harlan Pinot Horizontal,” “Marques de Riscal Rioja Vertical,” and “Around the World of Pinot Noir.” Each wine seminar is $50 per person, and will be held at the TSV Resort Center between noon and 5 p.m.

The highly anticipated Grand Tasting is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 at Taos Ski Valley from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Grand Tasting features more than 150 wines from 30 wineries and samples from Taos and Taos Ski Valley’s finest restaurants. A silent auction of rare wines will follow, to benefit the Taos Community Foundation. The cost is $75 per person.

A final wine seminar will be offered on January 28 as well, featuring organic and Biodynamic Italian wines. The seminar is from noon to 1 p.m., and costs $50 per person.

A number of Taos restaurants will offer special wine pairing dinners featuring the best cuisine in Taos and TSV. Several Taos restaurants will offer the special dinners including:

Tuesday, January 24th
Snakedance Restaurant (TSV) – paired with wines from Marietta winery. Call (575) 776-2277 to reserve.

Wednesday, January 25th
Snakedance Restaurant– paired with wines from Heitz Wine Cellars. Call (575) 776-2277 to reserve.
De la Tierra, located in the El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa (Taos) – paired with wines from Maison Joseph Drouhin winery. Call (575) 737-9855 to reserve. $75 pp
Rhodas Restaurant (TSV) – Majestic and Pacific Rim menu. Call (575) 776-2005 to reserve.

Friday, January 27th
Snakedance Restaurant – paired with wines from Charles Neal winery. Call (575) 776-2277 to reserve.
Bavarian Restaurant (TSV) – paired with wines from Chateau D’Esclans winery. Call (575) 776-8020 to reserve.
Doc Martin’s in historic Taos Inn (Taos) – paired with wines from Calera Wine Co. Call (575) 758-1977 to reserve.
Sabroso (Taos) – paired with wines from Ravenswood winery. Call (575) 776-3333 to reserve.
El Meze (Taos) – paired with wines from France. Call (575) 751-3337 to reserve.
Lamberts (Taos) – paired with wines from NM winery, Vivac. Call (575) 758-1009 to reserve.

No one under 21 is allowed. ID is required. Winter Wine Festival tickets are non-refundable and will not be mailed. Tickets can be purchased via phone: (505) 946-8506; via email: info@taoswinterwinefest.com or via postal mail to: Taos Winter Wine Festival 551 W. Cordova #723 Santa Fe, NM 87505. Credit cards are accepted; checks should be made out to “Taos Winter Wine Festival” and should be included with registrations forms. Tickets can be picked up beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 in the Looking Glass Room at TSV.

New Mexico is the oldest wine producing region in the country, and boasts a number of wineries with a variety of wines to choose from including several in Northern NM such as: Black Mesa Winery; Don Quixote Winery; Estrella del Norte Vineyard; La Chiripada Winery; Los Luceros Winery; Madison Vineyards and Winery; Santa Fe Vineyards; Vino del Corazon Wine Room; Vivac Winery; and Wines of the San Juan.

The Taos Express – offering shuttle service from Santa Fe to Taos and back – has extended its weekend service times to allow for a longer stay in Taos. Visit www.taosexpress.com for a complete shuttle schedule or to make reservations, which are required for service to and from the Santa Fe Municipal Airport.

For more information visit www.taoswinterwinefest.com or www.skitaos.org/wine_festival; or contact Greg O’Byrne (Festival Exec. Director) at (505) 438-8060 or vinevents@aol.com.

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