Cindy Bradford, Ph.D., Author

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Mesilla Valley Vineyards

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grapes Cindy Bradford
New Vineyards in Mesilla Valley

In the last blog, A Play Day of Wine Tasting, I began my wine tasting journey along Highway 28, just northwest of El Paso. Yes, El Paso! I know it seems an unlikely place for vineyards, but they are popping up in the Mesilla Valley, and people are flocking to the wineries to enjoy the cozy ambiance, to engage in friendly conversations over a good glass of locally-made wine, and to raise their glasses to a relatively new activity in this part of the southwest.  Although wine was first introduced and planted at Catholic missions along the Camino Real almost four hundred years ago, most of the wineries are relatively new.

After the second winery and visit to the “pecan shop,” we ventured down the road to Rio Grande Vineyards, and the newest tasting room in the area. This was my favorite of the three wineries we visited, partly because it was the busiest and the wine was extremely good (especially for New Mexico wine) and mainly because the owner/wine maker was so sincerely friendly and informative.

He obviously enjoys what he does, and since he comes from a long line of New Mexico farmers and wine makers, he knows the history of the area, and he shares it with unfettered enthusiasm. He appeared excited to pour something of every wine he had, and explain how it was made and how he gave it the special taste that it yielded.

The tasting room is quite nice, with a beautiful view of the Organ Mountains. The tall wooden stools make the experience more enjoyable since one can prop up on them and comfortably sip the wine and enjoy the stories of the recently retired Air Force proprietor who makes you feel welcomed and appreciated for sharing part of your day.

After a considerably lengthy stay, we decided that if we were going to see the little historic village of Old Mesilla as had been recommended by numerous locals, we had better pull our derrieres off the tall stools and be on our merry way. With two bottles of white and one red wine in tow, we did just that.

Only five miles down the road from the winery, the plaza of the colonial capital of the Doña Ana Land Grant, was an easy find. It is a sleepy little tourist spot, but a fun and interesting one as well. The Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoaches stopped here, and many famous and infamous characters, including Billy the Kid, once occupied this village for short periods of time.

The old adobe and brick buildings give a hint to their storied past, but today these old structures are filled with curios and other souvenirs. Jewelry stores, a very old book store, a chocolate shop, three saloons and numerous gift stores crowd the plaza area, which we learned on warmer days also has mariachis performing and vendors selling their goods from temporary booths and/or carts.

After hurriedly perusing the area and deciding we were more hungry than interested in shopping in the blustery cold, we opted for a meal of great New Mexico style Mexican food at La Posta Restaurante y Cantina. Sitting in front of a huge kiva fireplace, we finally warmed up, rehashing the day’s events and saying a hearty “salúd” to a nice, relaxing, fun day in the area where Texas and New Mexico cultures meet, blend and offer a memorable time.

A Play Day of Wine Tasting

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Zin Valle Vineyards
Courtesy of Zin Valle Vineyards

Last Saturday was a great day, because I called a truce with work and played. After four straight days of evaluating high schools, it was a much needed break in a daunting schedule. The day was made even more fun because I “played” at something I enjoy so much—wine tasting. Now, that won’t be a surprise to those of you who follow my blogs consistently.

I didn’t realize until this last trip to El Paso, that vineyards and wineries were enjoying such amazing growth and interest, but after several conversations and a quick review of the promotional magazines of the area, I learned that numerous wineries are popping up along Highway 28, just northwest of El Paso between Canutillo, Texas, and Mesilla, New Mexico.

The first winery that my friends and I visited was Zin Valle, along the first mile or so of Highway 28. The husband and wife owners produce a portfolio of wines, some of which are made from grapes grown in the area while others come from grapes or juice brought in from other well-known grape-producing areas. Tasting here was free, and the room is beautifully appointed with a granite tasting bar and a huge window providing a panoramic view of the Franklin Mountains, which on that day had a substantial topping of fresh snow. A barrel room and cozy porch added to the ambiance, although it was certainly too cold and windy to enjoy a tasting outside.

For those of you who think it is warm in El Paso all winter—think again. The high was 42 on Saturday, and the wind showed no mercy, but the sun did shine, giving some reprieve to an otherwise brutal day of bone chilling weather to this South Texas gal.

After tasting three whites and three reds, and buying a bottle of Pinot Noir, made on-site using grapes from California, we were off to La Viña, about five miles down the highway. The Tuscany designed facility was watched over by Princess the cat who also graces the label on one of the wines.

Tastings here were five dollars, but that was worth it, especially since they throw in a souvenir glass. Although all the wines are made from locally-grown grapes and were good, most were sweeter than I like and slightly expensive, so I opted not to purchase any at this stop.

The road to the next winery took us through amazing orchards of pecan trees. I can just imagine how pretty the drive might be in any other season besides winter, because there are thousands of huge trees, some even creating a canopy over the highway for a couple of miles. A quick stop at the Stahmann Family Store gave us an opportunity to taste all things “pecan,” and to buy several pounds of freshly shelled and chopped pecans to take home for baking. (To be continued)

America’s Bravest & Best

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America's Brave Airmen

While staying here in El Paso, I have had the privilege of meeting and talking to some of America’s bravest and best. One hundred and fifty air men and women from the United States Air Force have been staying in the same hotel as I am, spending time with their families before their deployment to Iraq this month. They having been doing training at Ft. Bliss, the largest air command in the world. Although it is an Army base, the Air Force plays a role here from time to time.

It was an honor for me to talk with many of these courageous individuals who seem to take these deployments all in stride, as do their brave and selfless spouses, who take on so many extra responsibilities while their loved one is away fighting for freedom in all parts of the world. I am always amazed at the positive attitudes that the military people possess when I evaluate the Department of Defense schools in different parts of the world.

This group here was no exception. It doesn’t require a long conversation before I are extremely proud to have spent time with each of them. I wish them safety and God speed ’til they return to the land of the free and home of the brave.

Random Personality Part II

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(Continued) As I was explaining in the last blog, I have a “global” and random personality, and I’m not referring to my travels. I am just not one of those people who lines up the dominoes, or hangs up my clothes in any order, or organizes the pantry. I will never, never, fold my underwear or iron my pillowcases.

You would never know this from my house because everything is sterile clean and in its place, and when I dress and fix my hair (what remains of it), every hair is in place and my clothes, etc. are matchy-matchy. So you see I am a complex creature, a human oxymoron, a paradox if you will.

And although I am trying to be a technology literate person, I prefer a microwave with two buttons, a camera that just takes pictures without all that extra stuff, a simple television remote with volume and channel controls and nothing more, and the list goes on. But, life is not that simple anymore, so I am trying to keep up with the modern, fast-changing world. After all, if there was no change, there would be no butterflies or frogs. I read that somewhere recently, but I added the frog part because it is the same concept.

This also brings me to explain how I write, which is not linear. You wouldn’t expect that, now would you? When I start a book, I know how I want it to start and how it will end, but the plot may get altered and revised from the original plan I envisioned. This may occur because some character or some place just didn’t work well together. Chapters may get moved around—several times. Sub-plots are developed as I go. That’s what makes it fun, fluid and fictitious. And all mine!

Random Personality

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I was answering an email to a friend the other day when I thought of the idea for this blog. She told me she was on her way to get some Christmas photos developed the “old fashion” way because she is just that way—traditional. I could actually identify.

Although I make myself do a great many “technological things,” because in today’s world you almost have to, it just doesn’t come natural or easy to me. I mean, email, web sites, online banking, social networking are all fun and exciting, but sometimes I think how much less complicated life was without quite so much technology, etc.

Part of my problem is I am about the most “global” person you will ever know. But, I am organized because with my schedule I have to be, and in the last year or so I have even begun “To Do Lists,” but that goes against all that I really am. Actually, I’m not sure anymore who I am because I don’t fit into any one personality category. Because of the jobs I have held and the responsibilities I have shouldered, I have always been structured in my work.

But put me in the yard behind a lawnmower and my true self comes out. See, I don’t mow in rows; I mow here and then there. I start cleaning one flower bed and then stop and move to another. Now, I will finish the first the same day, but just not right then. When I am cleaning house, I move from task to task in no particular order, and when I read a magazine, I might start at the back.

All of this drives my close friends crazy and my agent totally out of her mind. She is a technological whiz, but she covers up most of her frustration with me although I know she screams when she gets off the phone from me. Come to think of it, most of my friends have major analytical personalities. I had never thought about that much before. How did that happen? Maybe I’m a “wannabe” non-random person. Nah!!

The second problem I have…Now where was I???(To be continued)

Half Moon Vodka

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Still
Saxophone on Steroids

My friend, Jan, whose last name I will not divulge to protect the guilty, is building his own still—like in, moonshine still! Jan’s favorite alcoholic beverage is the Bloody Mary, and his son told him that the very best vodka is “potato vodka.” So Jan commenced to thinking, which apparently in this case may have been dangerous because he decided to make his own still and ultimately his own vodka.

To do that, he first designed and created his own still and since he is very good at building things and figuring out projects, on first blush that seemed harmless enough. But now every time he sends me a picture of the still it has grown, not inches, but feet. It now looks like a saxophone on steroids.

I am not sure how all this works, but I suggested he think seriously about NOT operating this in his kitchen. Then, I decided to read a little about moonshine making, and I am even more convinced that Jan might re-consider this venture, that is if he likes his hair and eyebrows!!!

It appears that the common test for moonshine is to pour a small amount of it into a metal spoon and light it!!! The theory is that safe booze burns with a blue flame and tainted booze burns with a yellowish glow.

I’m not sure if Jan has used a radiator coil as a condenser, but if that is the case, practitioners say “lead burns red and makes one dead.” And I was worried about him just revving up the still itself!

Then, the next assignment is to test the proof. At this point, he’ll have to pour a little gun powder in with the moonshine and if it flames or blows up, he knows it’s “proofed.”

Early into the project, he asked me if I wanted in on this magnificent idea, and I declined. So far, I haven’t had second thoughts, but maybe he’s on to something. I haven’t seen the recipe for the vodka, and I have never tasted potato vodka that I know of, but I guess you can’t go wrong with the lowly spud.

He’s been thinking about names, and I’m going to suggest, “Half Moon Vodka.” After all, if he doesn’t move quickly, that may be all he has left of his backside. Let’s wish him luck, lots of luck. We’ll toast later, Jan, after all the kinks are worked out of the radiator coil and your hair has grown back!