We are going to Albuquerque for a three day weekend in September. Any recommendations on where to stay. Also would like to visit some wineries - any recommendations?

As for where to stay, you're going to have to provide more info regarding price range and what you plan to do. I assume you will have a car.

For wineries, my faves are Casa Rondena and Gruet. There are lots more in the state, but none that I can recommend.

We are actually meeting up with some relatives who will be visiting there - they are there for 10 days so I was thinking maybe a condo or house. If it is a hotel $100-$150 price range.

Don't know what to tell you about the condo/house thing. I think I would stay in Santa Fe if I wanted to rent something for 10 days, but that's just me.

I live in ABQ and my folks always stay at the Uptown Amerisuites when they visit. Nice place, inexpensive, central location, easy freeway access, across the street from our newest shopping area. Most tourists seem to prefer staying in the Old Town/Downtown area, but it really depends what your plans are for the time you are here.

Gruet is the only passable winery in that part of the country from my experience & they make some fine sparkling wine. Otherwise, don't insult your tastebuds.

Thanks for the info - I will pass on to the relatives re Santa Fe and I will check out Amerisuites. I think we will still try some of the wineries in the area - the relatives are new to wine tasting so I think they would find it fun.

Casa Rondena is in the North Valley of Albuquerque and is a beautiful property with some nice wines ( for NM anyway-- agree with Wannabe-- I wouldn't go out of my way for any of them). Gruet has decent sparkling wines but I found the people there to be less than friendly (snobby is a good way to describe them).

I wouldn't bother with any others. There are better ways to spend 3 days here than drinking the local vino.

okay, well that's good to know about the wineries. Are there any wineries outside of Albuquerque (w/in driving distance) that you would recommend? Does anyone know anything about Casas de Suenos B&B? Was looking at their website and their casitas look cute. Thx.

Have never stayed there since I live here, but it's close to Old Town. The immediate area surrounding the inn is not that great so you will still need to use your car to get most places, but that's typical for Albuquerque; you need a car to get most anywhere around here. There is a wine tasting room in Old Town called St. Claire's if you are really hell-bent on wine tasting, but no-- I wouldn't travel to see any other wineries.

okay, looks like there are plenty of other things to do besides the wineries. Notice there is a farmers market on Sat mornings - is that worth going to?

No-- skip the ones in ABQ and head straight to the Santa Fe Farmer's market (Saturday morning). Get there as early as possible, spend an hour or so, then go out to breakfast and spend the day in Santa Fe.

I like the downtown farmer's market; there's also one in Nob Hill Thursday evenings, but I haven't been there.

Gruet makes some tasty sparkling wines. I've only tried one of Casa Rondena's wines and it was a little too sweet for my tastes.

If you want to try something different, Anasazi Vineyards in Placitas makes dry fruit wines.

Lee Ann

Thanks for the info on the farmers market and wineries. Also, is there any places you would recommend that we visit that maybe aren't in the tour books - we are from Arizona and know of places to take relatives that they wouldn't normally know about. Thanks.