About Vivác Winery
🏆In the Press: Named New Mexico’s best winery by Tasting Table in its July 2026 feature on the best winery in every US state.
Vivac Winery sits at the corner of Highway 68 and Highway 75 at the Dixon turnoff, 45 miles north of Santa Fe and 25 miles south of Taos. Founded in 1998 by the Padberg family - brothers Chris and Jesse, together with Liliana and Michele - the winery takes its name from a mountaineering term meaning high-altitude refuge, a fitting label for vineyards seated at roughly 6,000 feet, among the highest-elevation winegrowing sites anywhere.
The wines are made entirely by hand in an old-world style from 100% New Mexico grapes, raised in French oak barriques and stainless steel. The range runs from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo to the rare Refosco, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and a port-style dessert wine. The high-desert combination of intense sun, cool nights, and elevation gives the reds the structure and character that have earned the winery gold medals at international competitions.
The 900-square-foot adobe tasting room was built by the winemakers themselves in 2003, with vaulted ceilings, a flagstone bar, and walls hung with New Mexico contemporary art. It is as much a gathering place as a tasting room: an in-house chocolatier makes hand-painted truffles for wine pairings, New Mexico craft beers pour on tap, and the dog-friendly patio hosts live-music happy hours on Saturdays through spring, summer, and fall. Hours run daily 11am to 7pm in season and 11am to 6pm in winter - confirm with the winery before visiting.
A high-altitude refuge at 6,000 feet - hand-made New Mexico wine, adobe walls, and truffles from the in-house chocolatier.
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True High-Altitude EstateAt roughly 6,000 feet, one of the highest-elevation wineries anywhere - sun, elevation, and cold nights shape every bottle.
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100% New Mexico GrapesOld-world style wines made entirely by hand from New Mexico fruit, in French oak barriques.
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In-House ChocolatierHand-painted truffles made on site pair with the wines - a tasting-room touch few wineries can match.
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Rare VarietalsTempranillo and the seldom-planted Refosco headline a red program with international gold medals behind it.
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Dog-Friendly Patio + Live MusicSaturday live-music happy hours in season, craft beer on tap, and dogs welcome on the patio.
A hand-built adobe tasting room between Santa Fe and Taos pouring some of the highest-altitude estate wine in the world.
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Featured Wines
Tempranillo
New Mexico Tempranillo
Current Release
Old-world structure from high-desert fruit - the Spanish grape thriving at 6,000 feet.
Refosco
Refosco
Current Release
A rare northern-Italian variety, dark and structured - one of the few plantings in the United States.
Syrah
New Mexico Syrah
Current Release
Rich, hand-made Syrah showing the concentration that high-altitude sun and cool nights deliver.
Riesling
Riesling
Current Release
Cool-climate white balancing high-desert intensity with bright natural acidity.
Tasting Experiences
🍷
Tasting Room Flight
Taste through the current lineup at the flagstone bar or on the patio. Open daily; confirm current fees with the winery.
Confirm with winery
🍇
Winery & Vineyard Tour
Privately hosted behind-the-scenes tour at the family farm in the hills of Dixon. Groups of 10 to 20; confirmed reservation required; allow about 3 hours.
$86 per person
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Live Music Happy Hour
Saturday afternoons in spring, summer, and fall - live music on the patio with wine, chocolate, and New Mexico craft beer on tap.
Seasonal
🍫
Wine & Truffle Pairing
Hand-painted chocolate truffles from the in-house chocolatier, made to pair with the estate wines.
Confirm with winery
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