Vines in the Pines Headlines Valentine’s

So here you are, thinking of somewhere to take your “main squeeze” for Valentine’s Day that will impress her and be memorable.  What to do? Want to appear authentically original? The Romeo of Ruidoso? Hey, how about this? Celebrate a pre-Valentine’s Day rendezvous with your one and only at the Vines in the Pines two-day wine festival at the Ruidoso Convention Center, Feb. 11-12. It could prove to be a matchless solution to your where-to-go quandary for the most romantic day of the year. No thanks needed.

This year will be the Village’s inaugural effort for Vines in the Pines, the newest jubilee to come to the mountain hamlet of Ruidoso. Ten-plus New Mexico wineries will be on hand along with at least 25 retail vendors from Lincoln County who will offer jewelry art, clothing, gourmet chocolate, handmade crafts, food, cosmetics and various other diverse items for your perusal – not to mention the obvious availability of some of the finest “Land of Enchantment” varieties of vinos for sampling or sale by the bottle and case. Attending this experience might be a great opportunity for some last minute Valentine’s Day gifts for your special partner while enjoying a glass of NM wine. By all means take your time.

“We are fortunate to have the New Mexico Wine Growers Assoc. on board with us for this beginning venture,” Ruidoso Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant and Event Coordinator Mirissa Good said.  “… Because they know what they’re doing. Jasper Riddle, who is on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, is also a member of the board for the Wine Growers Assoc. That proved beneficial for all parties concerned. We are using this event as a way to replace our golf tournament for fundraising. We feel this will be advantageous in bringing in a larger and more divergent number of people.”

The Convention Center doors will open Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. each day. Tickets are $15 per day in advance or $20 at the door. Weekend passes are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Said tickets are attainable online on Facebook or EventBrite or at ruidosonow.com (Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce).

“We’ve already seen success in online ticket sales,” Good said. “We would like this to be an annual event, so your participation will be greatly appreciated. Drop by, see old friends, tastes some extraordinary wines and support Lincoln County retailers, the New Mexico Wine Growers Assoc. and the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce.”

—Micheal Curran