New menu by Chef Jon Helquist features elevated small plates designed to complement VARA’s award-winning wines and spirits
July 29, 2026 (Albuquerque, NM) — VARA Winery & Distillery, the Albuquerque-based winery and craft distillery, has unveiled a new food menu at its Santa Fe tasting room, introducing an elevated selection of chef-driven small plates designed to pair with its award-winning wines and spirits. Created by acclaimed Chef Jon Helquist, whose culinary career spans more than 35 years, the menu expands the tasting room experience while celebrating New Mexico’s vibrant food and wine culture.
Located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, VARA’s tasting room offers a relaxed yet sophisticated setting where visitors can enjoy curated wine and spirit flights, handcrafted cocktails, bottles by the glass, and now an expanded culinary program. The refreshed menu features a variety of thoughtfully crafted small plates, including Grilled Prawns and Octopus, Short Ribs Scottadito, Green Bean Salad, and Gigante Beans and Veggies, alongside seasonal offerings made with high-quality ingredients. Designed to encourage sharing and pairing, each dish complements VARA’s sparkling wines, still wines, and craft spirits, giving guests new ways to experience the tasting room.
“At VARA, we’ve always believed that great wine brings people together, and great food only enhances that experience,” said Jon Murray, CEO of VARA Winery & Distillery. “Chef Jon has created a menu that perfectly complements what we’re serving in the glass, and we’re excited to welcome guests to discover these new pairings in our Santa Fe tasting room.”
Born and raised in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Chef Jon Helquist began his culinary career at Chez Panisse in San Francisco, where Alice Waters and her team helped shape his ingredient-driven approach to cooking. After working at several fine dining restaurants throughout the Bay Area, Helquist settled in Sonoma County wine country, where he deepened his understanding of how food and wine can complement one another. Now based in Santa Fe, he draws inspiration from New Mexico’s culture and ingredients, focusing on simply prepared local food best enjoyed with a glass of wine.
“Our goal was to create a menu that feels welcoming, flavorful and perfectly suited to the wines and spirits VARA is producing,” said Chef Jon Helquist. “Every dish was developed with pairing in mind, and I’m excited for guests to experience how the food and beverages complement one another. It gives people yet another reason to gather, linger, and enjoy everything the tasting room has to offer.”
The menu launch reflects VARA’s continued investment in creating memorable guest experiences and comes as the winery celebrates a period of continued growth, marked by the expansion of its wine distribution to ten states and a recent Edible New Mexico Local Hero Award in the Beverage Artisan: Spirits category.
The new menu is now available exclusively at VARA’s Santa Fe tasting room. Guests can enjoy the offerings alongside guided tastings, wine flights, handcrafted cocktails, and bottles available for purchase. To learn more or plan a visit, please visit varawines.com.
About VARA Winery & Distillery
At VARA Winery & Distillery, tradition and innovation come together to craft extraordinary wines and spirits. Founded in New Mexico — the birthplace of North American winegrowing in 1629 — VARA honors this rich legacy while leading the future of American sparkling wine. Our passionate team of winemakers and distillers are master blenders, deeply committed to quality, creativity, and pushing the boundaries of craft. From acclaimed Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines to award-winning spirits, every bottle we create celebrates our heritage and our commitment to creativity, community, and excellence. Discover more at varawines.com.
