Taos Summer Wine Festival 2018

We are counting down the days until the luxurious 2018 Taos Summer Wine Festival. Less than 3 hours from Albuquerque, it was easily the most fun event SN and I attended in 2017, which included adventures in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and Texas, and we've been looking forward to the next one ever since. Heck, I'm already looking forward to Taos Wine, 2019! Plus, we will soon know if they decided to go with my poster submission:

poster for the 2018 taos summer wine festival

Probably, right?

The event organizers (shoutout to the amazing Cecilia Cuff) have provided two free Saturday passes for me to give away to a lucky blog reader. Think of it as winning...

is wine included at the taos summer wine festival?

Unlimited wine (and not the cheap stuff!)

is food included at the taos summer wine festival?

Delicious food from gourmet restaurants (as much as you want!)

are hot air balloon rides included at the taos summer wine festival?

A romantic getaway to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, complete with hiking, stargazing, and lounging by the pool (and a chance to hang out with your favorite blogger!)(Although she is shy and socially awkward so...maybe? SN will at least say hello. I'll make him.)

The Saturday schedule for the Taos Summer Wine Festival is jam-packed with fun activities, including yoga (with wine and chocolate!) and hot air balloon rides (at no extra charge!). I keep thinking that the hot air balloon rides must have an extra fee because, really, who gives away free hot air balloon rides? The price of just a hot air balloon ride on its own would cost as much as the wine festival admission! The event is pretty much all-inclusive though.

Below is the full schedule. Be sure to bookmark this site, as I will be updating it with additional festival information and insider scoop as more details become available. Just think of me as the unofficial Taos Wine Festival ambassador. That can be a self-appointed title, right?

Friday, August 17

3:00pm — 9:00pm:
- Guest Welcome Reception on Taos Ski Valley Plaza
  - Glass of Sparkling Wine
  - 4:30pm — 5:30pm: Speakers Series Featuring a Wine Maker in Preview Center
5:00pm — 9:00pm:
- Wine & Dine Around
  - An interactive dinner through the Ski Valley. Make your way around to the Hondo Restaurant at the Snakedance, Blonde Bear at Edelwiess and 192 at The Blake. Eat a course with a perfectly paired glass of wine at each. (Gratuity is included.)
  - 9:00pm Dessert will be served in the Plaza with Live Music
9:00pm — 10:00pm:
- Stargazing with the largest telescope in NM

Saturday, August 18

8:00am – 10:00am
- Breakfast (additional fee - price and menu will be posted on my site when available)
9:00am — 12:00pm
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Fly Fishing
- Hike with Turquoise Tours
10:00am – 12:00pm
- Yoga, Chocolate & Wine Class
12:00pm — 3:00pm
- Wine & Swine Lunch | Wine & Pig Roast (The official details for this state that the pig roast is held at "The Children Center Tent"...but that's got to be a typo, right? The kids would be afraid of the roasted pig. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing very many kids last year. I'll update this when I find out for sure, but for now, I think the lunch is probably held at The Bavarian Lodge restaurant.)(Update: It's not a typo!)
- Volleyball/horseshoes/corn hole
- Music on Stage by Artist TBD
3:00pm — 5:00pm
- Pool Party & Live Music at the Blake hotel resort, featuring fancy beer drinks and shave ice
5:00pm – 7:30pm
- Grand Tasting Event
- Live Music By Concepto Tambor

Sunday, August 19

9:00am – 2:00pm
- Champagne Brunches (additional fee - price and menus will be posted on my site when available)

Fun, right? Rumor has it there will also be horseback riding (with an additional fee) and a tea pairing class. The inaugural 2017 Taos Summer Wine Festival was a top contender for the Best Food Event award from Edible Magazine and I expect this year to be even bigger and better. And don't worry about driving. There are many affordable, top-rated lodging options within walking distance of the festival.

And now for what you've been patiently waiting for...

My giveaway has ended, but you can still enter to win two tickets to the Taos Summer Wine Festival. This other giveaway is even better than mine - it includes a FREE night at The Blake!

~~Taos, NM Summer Wine Festival Ticket Giveaway~~

The Prize: Two Saturday Passes to the 2018 Taos Summer Wine Festival (a $170 value)

There are lots of easy ways to enter - do as many or as few as you would like. The lucky winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and contacted via email within 24 hours of the end of the contest. You can also purchase tickets, but be aware they are only available online until 11:45 pm MST on August 16th and the price increases the day of the event.

~~Good luck!~~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See you there!

Want more information? Here are my 2017 Taos Wine Festival reviews with photos:

Taos Summer Wine Festival 2017

Drunken Shenanigans at Day 2 of the Taos Wine Festival

The Perfect End to a Perfect Weekend

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