Local Albuquerque Vara Winery & Distillery took the distinction of “New Mexico Distillery of the Year” and received a total 6 medals at the 2021 The New York International Spirits Competition. “It is always gratifying to be acknowledged for hard work, however this is truly unexpected and quite humbling as there are other very good operations in New Mexico,” says Doug Diefenthaler, Co-Owner of Vara Winery & Distillery.