Margarita Town with a Wine List Afterthought
Mesilla · Las Cruces · Bar / Wine-Friendly · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed La Posta Cantina Patio Bar’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
La Posta de Mesilla is a genuinely cool piece of New Mexico history — the courtyard is charming, the margaritas have a following, and the whole vibe screams 'this is the place the locals bring their out-of-town cousins.' The wine list, though, reads like someone walked into a Walmart and grabbed whatever was on the end cap.
Seven labels. That's the whole program. And not seven interesting, thoughtfully chosen labels — seven bottles split between Kendall Jackson and Mondavi Woodbridge, which are the interchangeable khaki pants of the wine world. There's no regional story here, no nod to New Mexico's surprisingly decent wine country just up the road, and zero attempt at anything beyond functional crowd-pleasing. The list hasn't been touched in what feels like years, and it shows.
Pricing and glass pour details aren't published, which is itself a minor red flag — if you're proud of your wine program, you post the list. Given the labels on offer, the by-the-glass situation is almost certainly every bottle on the list, poured into whatever comes out of the bar rack. Don't expect anyone behind the stick to walk you through your options.
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay — Unknown
If you're going to drink wine here, this is the least offensive bet. It's a known commodity — slightly oaky, slightly sweet, widely recognized — and at least you know exactly what you're getting into.
Mondavi Woodbridge Pinot Grigio
On a hot Mesilla patio in summer, a cold, simple Pinot Grigio actually makes some sense. It's not special, but it's light, inoffensive, and won't fight the green chile heat the way a heavier red would.
Mondavi Woodbridge Merlot
A warm-patio Merlot from the budget Mondavi line is a recipe for a headache before your entree arrives. This is the kind of wine that gives red wine a bad name in warm climates. Order the margarita.
Mondavi Woodbridge Moscato + Green chile enchiladas
Hear us out — the residual sweetness in the Moscato is actually one of the smarter moves against the heat of New Mexico green chile. It's not a sophisticated pairing, but it works on a functional level when nothing else on this list really does.
The Bottom Line
La Posta is worth visiting for the history, the atmosphere, and absolutely the margaritas — but the wine list is a placeholder, not a program. Come here for the experience, drink the cocktails, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that's earned it.
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Basic Stemmed
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Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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