We’re heating things up in Albuquerque! With our new store opening a few weeks ago, we turned to our local team to find out what’s HOT, HOT, HOT in ABQ. Pink skies, hot air balloons and chile that’ll set the roof (of your mouth) on fire, here’s what we suggest you get up to if you want to discover ‘The Land of Enchantment”.

if you happen to be in albuquerque (for 24 hours or less…)

coffee
Satellite Coffee is a locally owned and operated caffeine shop, where you can feed your addiction with a tasty Mexican Latte that has hints of cinnamon and sweet chocolate.

eat
After a hike up the Sandia Mountains, treat yourself with a New Mexican meal in Albuquerque’s North Valley. El Pinto offers a charming hacienda environment in the lush riverbed of the Rio Grande. When asked “red or green” by your server, they’re asking about your preference in chile, not for your favorite color. Be sure to try the Chile Con Queso to start and Flat Blue Corn Green Chile Enchiladas!

yoga
We love Blissful Spirits Hot Yoga studio! If you’re up for a challenge, check out our ambassador James’ hot Hatha classes or Nicole Law’s Yoga Sculpt. In the mood for something spicy? Give Pilates Caliente a try. Our ambassador Kelly, will get you fired up while strengthening and conditioning those long lean muscles.

beer
La Cumbre Brew Company offers award-winning beers in their Euro Style Brew pub where dogs and laughter are welcome company. Order a Green Chile Cheeseburger from the food truck outside and, if you’re a hops fan make sure you try the Elevated IPA!

sleep
Built in 1926 and converted into a hotel in 2010, Hotel Parq Central is a boutique hotel at the gateway to Downtown Albuquerque. It’s a great blend of historic elegance and contemporary comfort. Watching one of our New Mexican sunsets from the hotel’s rooftop lounge will show you why we’re called the Land of Enchantment…

Headed to Albuquerque or playing tourist in your own town? Check out our new store and ask the team for even more recos!

image: Tim Snell

We're celebrating the return of colour this summer and what better way to celebrate the arrival of Grapeseed than with a bottle or three of vino. It could just be the wine talking but we think it's a pretty sassy shade.

grapeseed, a colour and so much more

I grew up in Oliver, a little town in the South Okanagan. It’s the “Wine Capital of Canada” and its semi-arid climate produces some of the most incredible wines around. Wine is a part of who I am. My mum has been in the industry for years, and I have friends who are winemakers, sommeliers, tasting bar managers ... the whole wine gamut.

There are few things I love more than sipping a big, bad Meritage or Merlot on the patio at Burrowing Owl in Oliver. Watching the South Okanagan sun set, and feeling the heat of the desert disappear into night is an event that everyone should experience once in their lifetime.

1/2 corked marathon

One of my favourite wine experiences takes place in Oliver every year – it’s called the “1/2 Corked Marathon”.  (It's so good that this year's event sold out in less than 48 hours.) Basically, you run about 20km through the vineyards of the Okanagan, sampling wine at wineries along the way. Could anything be more heavenly? Wine + cardio + costumes = my happy place!

personal rituals

favourite wine

Stoneboat 2007 Pinot Noir. Violet, cherry, berry ... it’s a truly delicate and classic pinot noir. I catch myself having dreams about it.

Cave de lugny - Cremant de bourgone it's pink, it's bubbly, crisp and refreshing; everything you should look for in a bubble.

One of my favourite things about drinking wine, aside from the drinking of course, is the opening of the cork and capsule. Wax? Metal? Plastic? Cork? The feeling of opening the bottle tells a story unto itself!

What the winemaker hopes you’ll experience when settling into that next bottle goes far beyond the wine: bottle weight, ease of opening, texture of the label. They all matter and they all craft part of the story but for me the cork and capsule experience is the "lives happily ever after."

If you could visit any wine region in the world, where would you go? Napa? Tuscany? Bourdeaux?

want more?

• See our latest offerings in Grapeseed, Pink Mist, Citron and Tango Red.
• Try our bliss balls.
• Tell us your drunken thoughts. We love feedback.

grapeseed deep breath tank