A bill introduced in the state Senate would provide funding to support New Mexico wine producers, KRQE reported.

“We have a shortage in labor, we have our big wine festivals closed down, and our storefronts were closed,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Crystal Diamond (R-Dona Ana), said to the station. “Now, this appropriation is supposed to incentivize and support our grape growers and winemakers, and increase the number of acreages, and get New Mexico back on track.” 

Senate Bill 199, if passed, would give $2 million in federal relief funds to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture in order to fund wineries in the state. The money would be used to increase vineyard capacity by 400 acres.

Diamond said that the 400-acre increase would result in the state receiving $25 million gross revenue per year, KRQE reported.

New Mexico once had more than 3,000 acres of vineyards, Diamond said to the station.

"Unfortunately, today we have just under 900 acres in production,” she said.