albuquerque winery project clears final hurdle

Turning aside two appeals opposing the project, members of the Bernalillo County Commissioners in a zoning meeting have given the green light to the building of a $15 million winery in Albuquerque’s North Valley.

The project, set to go up on 11.4 acres near the Rio Grande on one side and the Sandia Lakes Recreation Area on another, will see the construction of a 32,000 square-foot wine producing facility and welcome center.

Also included in the project will be an office, events center, and three structures with a combined space of more than 6,000 square feet that will be used for bed and breakfast lodging.

According to county records, six of the eleven acres at the site will be used as a vineyard.

Project owner is the Albuquerque-based Vara Wines, with offices at 315 Alameda Boulevard NE.

Vara Wines is focused on premier wines and spirits, producing a modern adaptation of the first wine created in America nearly four centuries ago using a European grape variety.

The commission’s zoning decision comes after the project won its initial approval in January with members of the Bernalillo County Planning Commission supporting a zone change for the site from A-1 to special use.

By Garry Boulard

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