Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta Guide: Enjoy 5 Days Of Food, Wine & Culture

09 Sep 2025 by Rebecca Deurlein · Forbes

If you’ve been eyeballing a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, there has never been a better time to make it a reality.

After years of being recognized by Forbes, Santa Fe took the top spot in Travel + Leisure's 2025 “World's Best Awards,” ousting 12-year title holder Charleston, South Carolina. Contributing to its selection was Santa Fe’s pedestrian-friendly streets, dynamic arts and culture institutions, and excellent food. Yes, foodies are flocking to this southwestern city.

Santa Fe’s New Mexican cuisine is heavy on red and green chiles (if you love hatch peppers, you have Santa Fe to thank). These pungent chiles are not just culinary delights—they are a celebration of the cultural cooking traditions and “spice of life” attitude of the people who call New Mexico home.

Mexico chiles take center stage at the upcoming Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta, held Tuesday, Sept. 23 to Sunday, Sept. 28. With cooler temperatures and five days of activities focused on all things food and wine, it’s an excellent excuse to travel to the award-winning Santa Fe.

What Activities Take Place At Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

The fiesta opens on Tuesday with Sunset Sips: Sky Railway Wine Tour, a 2.5 hour train ride that departs from the Santa Fe Depot. The romance of train travel combined with the golden hour makes for fantastic photos and even better memories. Onboard, you’ll sample small bites and curated wines from Justin Vineyards.

Festivities continue throughout the week with luncheons and master sommelier throwdowns, chef demos and tastings, wine seminars focused on single winemakers or varietals, and even a Riedel Veloce tasting experience to help you answer the age-old question, Does the type of glass affect the taste of the wine?

Over the busy weekend, you’ll want to make time for Chile Friday: A Celebration of New Mexico Chile. This is where you’ll learn all about the staple that is the foundation of so many Santa Fe food traditions. Stroll through Fort Marcy Park at your leisure and sample bites from over 30 local restaurants. Each has been challenged with presenting a fresh interpretation of the Mexico chile, so you’ll get to taste it in every iteration. Wash it down with margaritas, local brews, and New Mexico wines selected specifically to hold their own against the boldness of the chile. Live music, educational demos, and local artisans round out the lively atmosphere.

On Saturday, enjoy the Grand Tasting on the lawn of Magers Field at Fort Marcy Park, an elegant affair that features premier wines from around the world and gourmet bites created by Santa Fe’s local chefs. Take it a step further with VIP access to the Vista Tents and Cabanas—it includes parking and early access, a reserved table, limited edition wines, and an indulgent private space to rest and chat.

Close out the week on a high note with the Bubbles & Boots Brunch in the Aspen Ballroom at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado. It’s an opportunity to kick up your boots, sample some bubbly, and brunch with your besties. Keep the party going with Rosé All Day before heading back to your hotel for a much-deserved late afternoon nap.

What You Should Know About The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta

Sure, your visit to Santa Fe will be filled with delicious food and drink, but there’s something else at work here. The Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta was conceived with a mission to support food, wine, and service education, and that extends to local school children. Some of the proceeds from the event are earmarked for programs that teach kids about healthy food preparation, nourishment, and the important role food plays in a place’s heritage and traditions.

What makes this fiesta more impressive is that it is helmed by a non-profit team whose main goal is to increase visibility and education around Santa Fe’s food scene and traditions. It was conceived in 1991 as a one-day event with 20 restaurants and wineries, and it has now grown to over 60 restaurants and 90 wineries. Over 3,500 guests attend each year, so if you’re interested in one of the more popular events, you’ll need to reserve your tickets months in advance.

But if you happen to be heading in that direction this month, this guide to the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta will get you started so you can still enjoy a host of activities throughout the five-day extravaganza. And who doesn’t want to dive into New Mexico’s greatest delicacies?