Rio Embudo Tales

Yesterday I had the chance to speak to Estevan Arellano, a former journalist, a parciante on the Acequia Junta y Cienega, that uses the Rio Embudo close to its juncture (hence "junta") to the Rio Grande. For those who don't know him, Arellano is the editor and translator of "Ancient Agriculture" (originally published in 1513 in Spain) and has been active in acequia and community organization efforts for years. While parciantes on the AJyC are paying fairly high dues, it is a self-levied tax to keep the system operating, the banks cleared, and the amount of phreatophytes to a minimum to ensure some minimal flows for irrigation use. Only two folks out of 34 are 'delinquent' on their dues, one of whom is an absentee land-owner, and this provoked much discussion about the problems of the post-modern acequia. With retirees buying up former irrigated land at $50-100k/acre, they desire the aesthetic product of a managed landscape without the effort needed to actually maintain a landscape. Newcomers view the land as 'natural,' even in the midst of agriculture, alfalfa, pasture, domesticated animals, and refuse to let parciantes take down weedy cottonwoods or Russian Olives. What is the "garden" we wish to create around ourselves?

Oh, and just nearby are two decent wineries, Vivac and Black Mesa Wineries, where I tried some of the local wine. Much of the cold climate grapes can be grown around the region, including Nebbiolo, Refosco, some minor French hybrid varieties, Sangiovese, but the Cab Sauv and the Merlot have to be brought in from southern New Mexico. If you're at Black Mesa, try the Petite Sirah. Interesting day...

Photo: The view upstream of the Rio Embudo, from the Rt. 75 bridge off of Rt. 68 south of Taos.