Southwest Cuisine

Taos Hospital Foundation Sponsors Toast of Taos, Southwest Wine Competition

Wines from New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Arizona and Oklahoma will battle cork-to-cork for recognition during the Southwest Wine Competition, the centerpiece of the first-ever Toast of Taos, August 16-20, 2006, sponsored by the Holy Cross Hospital Foundation. “Art lover, golfer, wine connoisseur, music lover or gourmand, Toast of Taos has something for everyone,” said Sally Trigg, Executive Director of the Holy Cross Hospital Foundation in Taos. “And all profits from Toast of Taos go to Holy Cross Hospital Foundation’s ‘Reach for your Heart,’ our campaign to purchase a new cardiac monitor system for the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.”

Events include:

Southwest Wine Competition (Aug. 16-17) at Taos Country Club, open to competitors and media only
Wine classes (August 16-17) at Taos Country Club, Bravo! Fine Wine Food Spirits, and Doc Martin’s. Times to be determined.
El Monte’s Wednesday Wine Dinner (August 16), 7:30-10 p.m., at De La Tierra at El Monte Sagrado Resort and Spa. Enjoy the enchanted décor and inspired food of a great Taos restaurant as you sip outstanding southwest wines. Tickets, $100 each.
Art D’Vine (August 17), 6-9 p.m., at Taos galleries. Tour the exquisite, prestigious galleries of Taos while sampling southwestern wines and food from gourmet restaurants and listening to beautiful music. All galleries are open to the public. Tickets for food, wine and commemorative glass, $50.
Reception (August 18), 1:30-3 pm, at El Monte Sagrado Resort and Spa. Open to competition winners, sponsors and press.
Stakeout Wine D’Light (August 18), 7:30-10 p.m., at the Stakeout Restaurant. Watch the sun sink over the Rio Grande Gorge and the sparkling stars appear as you enjoy an exquisite dinner featuring wine pairings and tastings of southwest wines. Tickets, $100 each or $800 for table of six.
Wine Tasting of the Southwest (August 19), 1-4 p.m., at the Taos Convention Center. Sample southwest wines and food from local restaurants while listening to local musicians. Tickets, $35.
Winemaker’s Sunset Dinner and Wine Auction (August 19), 6-10 p.m., at Taos Country Club. Put on your southwestern finery for a splendid formal dinner featuring a five-course meal paired to exceptional southwestern wines. After dinner, join us for an auction of a wide selection of exquisite wines. Tickets, $150.
Bubbles and Balls Golf Tournament and Champagne lunch (August 20), 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Taos Country Club. The best-ball golf tournament begins at 9 a.m. Entry fee - $125. The champagne lunch begins at noon, featuring champagne cocktails and a sumptuous buffet. Tickets, $35.

Michael Cerletti, secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, said Toast of Taos and the Holy Cross Hospital Foundation will have a “positive influence on the future of all New Mexicans. The event supports a worthy cause we can all get excited about.”

In 1976, Drs. Michael H. Kaufman, Stephen D. Cetrulo and Lawrence Barenholtz formed the Foundation to support Holy Cross Hospital and help serve the medical needs of Taos. In the early 1990s, the Foundation was revitalized, an executive director was hired and fund raising was organized. Since then, the Foundation has focused on raising money for high-tech equipment for Holy Cross Hospital, administering the hospital's scholarship program, and raising money to provide medical equipment and medical care to disadvantaged children.

For more information, to request a brochure, or to purchase tickets, contact Sally Trigg, 505-751-5811, strigg@taoshospital.com or visit www.toastoftaos.com.