Star Canyon Winery

Update: The winery is now closed

Star Canyon Winery is located in El Paso and is owned by Donna J. Alba who is also the winemaker. The winery opened in 2006.

Tastings are done while sitting at the tasting bar. There is a tasting fee for a selection of five wines and the tastings are poured from the uncorked bottles. The tastings are served in order from sweet white wines to dry white and then sweet red wines to dry red. Food can be purchased like a cheese and crackers plate or any items in the gift shop. Food in the gift shop include items such as fudge, chocolate, stuffed olives, and crackers.

Wines available for tasting were:

• Beso Dulce (mostly Malvasia)
• Desert Bloom (Chenin Blanc and Merlot)
• Desert Breeze (Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, French Colombard)
• Chardonnay
• Bijoux (Sparkling with French Colombard)
• Brut (Sparkling with Chardonnay)
• Rio Grande Red (Cabernet, Merlot, Malvasia) – served chilled
• Syrah
• Cabernet Sauvignon

Some Texas grapes come from Del Rio but I could not get clarification as to what types and where. The tasting guide said it was from a certain winery in Del Rio, but having visited that winery recently, they only grow one grape variety and Star Canyon Winery does not offer any wines with that grape. The tasting guide was to give my email address to the owner so she could follow up.

The rest of the grapes come from Deming, New Mexico. I was told that owner Donna Alba learned winemaking in Deming when she worked there and it was suggested she open her own winery which became Star Canyon Winery. I looked at one of the Star Canyon bottles and it said she worked with six generation winemaker Florent Lescombes of Southwest Wines from Deming to make the wine. Star Canyon Winery’s wines are also bottled in Deming.

The winery has events such as wine and cheese pairings in addition to being rented for parties and business meetings. The gift shop has wine accessories for sale besides food.

One interesting thing pointed out was the tray of round medals. I learned that the local military regulars from Ft. Bliss hand over their challenge coins to the winery. Challenge coins are normally presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement.

I love the idea Star Canyon Winery does for their regular customers. For only $8, a customer can have a Star Canyon Winery wine glass engraved with whatever the customer wants: their name, logo, etc. The winery then stores the wine glass at the winery so whenever the customer comes in they have their own personal wine glass waiting for them. I have never seen this before at any of the many wineries I have visited.