Thoughtful Water Use on the Farm

Water is the most precious resource we have, and without thoughtful consideration, the importance of this treasured life source can be overlooked. With our extensive farming initiatives here at Los Poblanos, it could be very easy to use more water than necessary. However, stewardship is one of our foundational core values and we actively work to use water in careful, strategic ways. 

The Pueblo Peoples of the southwest had created acequia systems to irrigate their dryland farming long before the Spaniards arrived with the  systems that for them originated in the Middle East.  Drawing water from the Rio Grande, acequias are still at work in New Mexico today. Just like natural rivers and streams, they create agroecosystems that promote soil conservation and the creation of healthy soil, while also forming wildlife habitats. These gravity-flow ditches are maintained by the community under an elected official called the mayordomo.

Autumn Afternoons on the Farm

Join us each Saturday in October to soak up the glorious fall weather and check out our new Rio Grande Valley Rescue Squad truck. It will be stocked with artisan drinks from 11am until 4pm, and live music will be playing from 12pm to 2pm. 

Plan Your Holiday Season Stay

The holiday season is fast approaching, and we can't wait to spend it with you. Whether you're celebrating the holidays with us or seeking respite from a busy season, the farm is just the place to be this November and December. With crackling fireplaces, festive decor and acres of farmland to wander, a visit will prove both merry and serene. Join us at Campo for Día de los Muertos on Tuesday, November 2 and enjoy dinner specials in addition to the regular menu after you peruse our elaborate ofrenda. Take time to slow down and reconnect with loved ones with a stay this Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Inn and enjoy exclusive Campo access and incredible special menus on the day of the holiday. This season, to express gratitude for the dedication and long hours our staff has worked through the pandemic, we will be limiting our hours at Campo and the Hacienda Spa on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and will be offering reservations to our lodging guests only. 

Of Hope and Honey

Beekeeping is an act of hope. There are so many variables to consider when caring for beehives. Access to clean water, sources of nectar and pollen from plants that bloom from spring to fall are all essential for a healthy bee. The added uncertainty of colony collapse, varroa mites and the diseases they might introduce, swarming and abscondment, pesticide exposure and the uncertainties of extreme climate fluctuation are challenges all beekeepers face. And yet we persist. We are fascinated by bee behavior and relationships, and understand the crucial role bees play in keeping plants and thereby humans alive. 

Farm Journal: Herbs

Growing Herbs at Los Poblanos

Herbs. Just the word conjures up delightful associations of fragrance and flavor. With multiple uses across the culinary, beverage and wellness spectrum, a single herb or a blend of multiple essences can really make an experience sing. As we diversify and expand the ways herbs are incorporated in the kitchen, bar and spa, our farm team is increasing the quantity and variety of herbs grown around the farm. Thoughtful conversations between chefs, mixologists and estheticians allow creativity to begin in the farm fields and manifest in the many experiences available here at Los Poblanos. Each herb's potential is being explored and expanded.

Our Distillation Process

Angel's share. Angel's breath. This is what the first delicate puff of lavender essence is called as it rises in a misty, miniature cloud from the spout of the condenser, at the end port of the copper alembic distillation still. This initial puff contains essential oil, hydrosol and the heady aroma of our organic Grosso Lavender fields. 

Hand-harvested in the early morning, our farmers deliver lavender to the distillation hut, where our distillers load the precious plant material into the base and column of the still. The rounded lower portion is filled with fresh well water and heated to the boiling point where the resulting steam pulls the oils and moisture from the lavender. As it is volatilized, the heat and pressure push it up into the swan neck - the graceful copper tube that connects the pointed dome of the still to the barrel of the condenser. 

Welcome Fall on the Farm

Soon, cool, crisp mornings will arrive to mark the change in season after a warm desert summer. Autumn in New Mexico is fast approaching, with roadside stands infusing the air with the warming, unmistakable scent of roasting green chile, as hot air balloons float gently across the horizon. The magnificent fall foliage of our native cottonwood and aspen trees provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the trails of the Sandia Mountains, cycling the nearby Paseo del Bosque Trail or simply enjoying the views from the comfort of your patio. 

Spend Late Summer at Los Poblanos

It's hard to believe we are halfway through this year already, and it's time to get a vacation on the calendar before any more time slips away. If you've been considering a visit to the farm, don't let any more time go by before booking your escape. Late August and early September are the perfect times to sneak in a trip as the weather is still warm and it still feels like summer here in the North Valley. Read on for our favorite ways to spend a few summer days on the farm.

Hacienda Spa opens today, July 1

Experience Well-being at the Hacienda Spa

In eager anticipation for today's opening, our expert team at the Hacienda Spa has been diligently reviewing and perfecting every little detail of the spa experience. We're delighted to officially open the doors, July 1, and welcome our lodging guests and local community in for botanically based massage and skin care treatments.

Home-grown, Home distilled Artisan Lavender Products

Take Lavender On the Go

With rows upon rows of organic lavender in bloom, it is a truly beautiful time here on the farm. And with travel beginning again, we're thinking about all of our artisan lavender products that are perfect to take on the go this summer.