Local winery anchors jobs and tourism in Mimbres Valley

D.H. Lescombes Winery is a cornerstone of agricultural and tourism activity in southwestern New Mexico, operating large vineyards in the Mimbres Valley near Lordsburg and maintaining multiple retail and outlet locations across the state. The winery’s vineyards, tasting rooms and event programming drive visitor traffic to the Lordsburg and nearby Deming area, making it one of the region’s notable producers and a steady source of economic activity.

The winery’s presence matters to Hidalgo County because it links farm production with tourism revenue and regional branding. Wine tours and tasting-room visits bring nonlocal spending on food, lodging and services; retail outlets spread awareness of the Mimbres Valley product beyond county lines; and events hosted at or promoted by the winery create seasonal foot traffic that supports small businesses. For an economy that relies on a mix of agriculture, trade and traveler services, that kind of demand smooths income cycles and helps sustain local employment tied to both vineyard operations and visitor services.

Beyond direct jobs in pruning, harvesting and winemaking, the winery contributes indirectly through logistics, packaging, retail staffing and hospitality roles. Regional marketing tied to the winery enhances visibility for other growers and tourism operators in the borderlands, amplifying the county’s appeal as a destination for agritourism. The winery’s multiple New Mexico outlets also function as marketing nodes that can channel visitors back to the Mimbres Valley, increasing the probability of repeat visits and longer stays.

That integration presents both opportunities and vulnerabilities. Continued investment in county roads, water management and broadband would boost the winery’s ability to attract visitors and ship products reliably. Local workforce-development efforts can help translate seasonal visitor spikes into more stable employment pathways in hospitality and agribusiness. Economic diversification strategies that build on wine-related tourism — for example, pairing wine trails with outdoor recreation or cultural events — would deepen the payoff to Hidalgo County from a single agricultural anchor.

The takeaway? D.H. Lescombes Winery is more than a producer; it’s an economic bridge between farm and visitor economy in the Mimbres Valley. Our two cents? Support simple, local investments in infrastructure and promotion that let that bridge carry more traffic and more long-term jobs for Hidalgo County.