The Biscuit and I just finished terrorizing New Mexico. There really is no place like New Mexico. Realtors talk location, location, location. Painters are in love with light. New Mexico is a special place for light. The blues, purples, yellows are unique and magnificent. The endless white clouds almost seem back-lit as they dance across desert skies. Lifted from the earth, an endless parade of clay pots, silver and turquoise jewelry tell stories about Kit Carson, Spanish conquistadors, and lost Indian tribes. I don’t care what The Biscuit says. The Indians believed in Spirits and I am convinced some of those mountains at night are pure spooky, Don’t get me wrong. I love Santa Fe. It is one of my favorite cities. I remember walking into a dark bar on a hot afternoon, grabbing my cool drink, and watching a young lady who walked in behind me dance to the music of the flamenco guitarist. That moment she was a Spanish dancer.

Of course, New Mexico is where my great-grandfather Lummis met my great-grandmother Eve. They romanced each other, worked, and rode endlessly through out the territory. Her horse named Adan for Adam. A champion for the underdog Lummis even survived an assassination attempt in New Mexico. The assassin was unhappy with the direction his writing had taken in the local paper. (Don’t even think about it, Nina.)

Lummis would take Eve away to Los Angeles. She would deliver four children, one my grandfather Jordan. Lummis would return with Adolph Bandelier to explore Bandelier National Park, visit often with Don Amado Chaves on his rancho, and hunt Geronimo with General Crook throughout the Southwest. It was fun introducing the wines I named after him to the Territory.

The Biscuit and I want to thank all of you in New Mexico for your wonderful hospitality. Walter, it was a lovely dinner on your terrace at the Inn at Loretto. Many thanks to the Texans for selling out our wine dinner at the El Monte Sagrado in Taos, and Vanessie's wonderful Chef for serving Stratton Lummis Chardonnay at her Opus One dinner. I hope I see you when you come to San Francisco. I want to thank Southern Superstars Craig and Jason for taking me out for sopapillas. You can only get sopapillas in New Mexico. I can still taste them, fresh out of the oil, too hot to hold, and full of dripping butter and honey.