Santa Fe Delights

Joan cataloged the cultural treats from our Christmas in Santa Fe, but the other half of the story is the food and wine. As the concierge in our restaurant told me - "we love to eat in Santa Fe". And so did we three - tapas with a Spanish-New Mexican twist, tamales, Chimayo red chile, Hatch green chile, Mexican wedding cakes, biscochitos, and more yum. I could not resist whipping out the camera during our meal at Coyote Cafe. This place had it's hey day about 10 years ago, but still manages to fill up every night and prepares exquisitely presented and "stops the conversation" good tasting food. What follows are shots of: Caesar salad with grilled polenta croutons, broiled salmon on grilled veggies with butter reduction and basil aioli, grilled sea bass on baby bok choy with wasabi mashed potatoes and soy sauce reduction, and grilled asparagus and Hatch green chile mac and cheese. Wines for the weekend tended toward Spanish varieties - Verdejo, Tempranillo, and Albarino, with some Barbera, Port and Tokai thrown in. Add in the company of the two women in my life and I echo Joan's magical sentiment.

WINEAZWINE

FnB (I had to ask it's restaurant lingo for Food and Beverage) is a new Scottsdale hot spot that features exciting cuisine and even more exciting wine. The entire wine list is comprised of wine made in Arizona from Arizona grapes. It's the only restaurant in the whole world that has our Sparkling Chardonnay and features wines from half dozen other Arizona wineries. The concept is risky and novel and the brain child of Pavle MIlic who is devoted to discovering and defining the local . The AZ Republic ran a recent story on the restaurant which is definitely worth visiting an supporting.

Christmas in Santa Fe

Tim and I had a great few days in Santa Fe over the Christmas holiday with Kathryn. It snowed all day the day we arrived which created a magical winter wonderland. The people of Santa Fe added their own magic with the Christmas lights and their traditional Canyon Road Christmas Eve Walk. There were bonfires, beautiful walls of luminarias and carolers everywhere. Kathryn's mesmerizing soprano voice during her concert topped off our magical few days in Santa Fe.





Lilly, here, is sporting an adorable example of a typical Santa Fe canine's winter attire.

Sonoita Wine Maker's Gathering

The end of the year is a good time for us all to gather to celebrate with wine and food and to share our thoughts on the 2009 growing and wine making season and our plans for the next. It was also a time to thank Kelly and Todd Bostock for all they did to make the First Annual AWGA Festival at the Farm a success. The winemakers even poured their soon-to-be released wines for each others' opinions. But mainly it was just nice to spend some relaxing holiday time together.

Here's wishing you all a joyful holiday season and prosperous new year. Thanks for your enthusiasm for our wines. Tim and Kathryn and I look forward to your visiting our tasting room in 2010.

"She went up in one of those metal birds again!"

Yes, Charlie, Kathryn has performed in Vermont and Miami this month. She is now in Santa Fe.
What Charlie, Emma, and Lizzie don't know is that Tim and I will be flying to Santa Fe next week to join Kathryn. It's what parents have to do to spend the holidays with a performing family member. It's a tough life, hearing Kathryn's beautiful voice, spending a few days in lovely Santa Fe, eating well, shopping the plaza. I think we'll survive.

Tim and I will not be leaving until after the week-end. So come on in to say hi to us and the three dogs and to purchase some Christmas gifts and Sparkling wines for your New Years Eve celebration.

December Wreath-Making

Once again we all had a fun afternoon cutting vines and creating unique wreaths for the holidays. Many locals participated and our friend, Karla was there to help out.



I am always amazed at the different decorating ideas people have.




Karrie and Debra of Prairie Chicks Catering take the prize for the largest wreaths made so far. They are planning to decorate them with lights. They should be pretty and festive. Tim, Kathryn and I are already looking forward to next year's wreath-making events!

The Festival at the Farm Photos

I've been so busy lately I forgot to put up our photos of the Nov. 22 Festival at the Farm. The weather was as perfect as possible and we all had a great time. Tim and I can't wait for next year's event. Maybe Kathryn will join us also. And, some of you.




Tim gets to keep this trophy for one year. Then he passes it on to the 2010 winner. What a fun tradition!