198 Miles north of the Buckhorn Tavern started my Birthday trip planned by Ernie!
We started my birthday weekend with the drive to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort. Like the mature adults, we tried every soaking pool before it got dark. We did dinner at the bar, our serve was on point and made the night.
The next morning we got up for our 11AM Private Wine Tasting with El Alamo Winery. (https://www.elalamowinery.com/) The vineyard has a towering centuries-old Cottonwood tree that is situated on the banks of the Acequia Madre de Alcalde ditch. After reading the Google reviews we knew we had to stop. The appointment was with Joseph Martinez, winemaker and founder of the winery, it was worth getting up early.
Our Wonderful DD, Veronica, took us up HWY 68 to Vivác Winery, we knew this was our wine and lunch stop. Ek.chuah chocolates is an boutique chocolate company showcased in the Vivác Winery Tasting Room. (https://vivacwinery.com/) I channeled by best Charlotte Tallman and made a winery nosh basket worthy of the trip.
We got on HWY 75 for our next stop northern New Mexico's oldest winery, La Chiripada Winery. We had read this was a small tasting room with little room to hang out. We ended up staying for quite sometime. (https://lachiripada.com/home/)
Off Veronica took us back down 68 to our last stop of the day, Black Mesa Winery and Cidery https://www.blackmesawinery.com/) I will warn you now, a cat lives within the tasting room. Us allergic people took our wine outside. It turned out perfect even on a winter day in February. We played Grandma Armitage's Krazy Bee Rummy and enjoyed the sunset.
We ended the night in the Upper & Lower Cliffside Pools. They are dramatically tucked into the cliffside at the edge of the resort, offering fantastic stargazing from the comfort of the pools. Thanks Mike for remembering to take a photo! https://ojosparesorts.com/ojo-caliente/soak/)
