Chile-Forward Cooking Deserves More Adventurous Pours
Downtown / Plaza · Santa Fe · Traditional New Mexican and Regional Southwestern · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 12, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Santa Fe — a painted-glass courtyard that feels like it was built specifically for a long, wine-soaked lunch — and then you open the wine list. It's fine. It does the job. It just doesn't match the room.
The list runs 80-plus bottles and leans heavily on California stalwarts, with a respectful nod to Spain and a small but appreciated New Mexico section. The local representation is the most interesting thing here — Gruet's presence gives the list some regional identity that the rest of the card mostly lacks. Spain shows up just enough to hint at someone knowing that Tempranillo and red chile are natural allies, but the California side skews toward recognizable labels rather than anything that'll make you lean forward. Clos du Bois Chardonnay is here. That tells you something.
Ten to sixteen options by the glass depending on the night, which is a reasonable spread for a hotel restaurant of this size. Don't expect much rotation — this feels like a list that gets reviewed seasonally at best. The Gruet Blanc de Noirs by the glass is the move if you want something worth talking about.
Gruet Blanc de Noirs — null
New Mexico's best sparkling wine, made from Pinot Noir grown at 4,300 feet in the Estancia Valley. Ordering it here isn't just good value — it's the right call. Toasty, dry, and genuinely delicious, and it holds up against the heat of green chile in a way most reds can't.
Gruet Blanc de Noirs
Most people at this table are ordering Chardonnay or Cab on autopilot. The Gruet is a local wine that could go toe-to-toe with bottles costing twice as much from California. If you're only in Santa Fe for a night, this is the pour that says something about where you are.
Clos du Bois Chardonnay
A perfectly acceptable grocery store Chardonnay that has no business being on a hotel restaurant list at hotel restaurant prices. You're paying a significant markup for something you could grab at a Safeway on the way out of town. Pass.
Gruet Blanc de Noirs + Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas
The earthy nuttiness of blue corn tortillas and the brightness of green chile need something with acidity and a little effervescence to cut through. The Gruet's dry, biscuity fizz does exactly that — it's the rare pairing where the local wine and local food actually make each other better.
✔️ The Bottom Line
La Plazuela is a genuinely special room inside one of Santa Fe's most storied hotels, and the wine list is the one thing that doesn't live up to its surroundings. Order the Gruet, enjoy the enchiladas, and don't think too hard about the rest of the card.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.