Puebloan Horno Baking in Ohkay Owingeh
After meeting at the Inn of The Five Graces, we will head north by Luxury SUV through the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo (The Blood of Christ) Mountains. Sandstone formations carved by wind, water, and time articulate this rose hued moonscape of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo . Recognized as the first Spanish capital of New Mexico, this historic Pueblo is situated at the confluence of the Rio Grande, Ojo Caliente, and Chama rivers.
PUEBLOAN CUISINE + CULTURE
Arriving at the puebloan home of the Naranjo family, the first thing you’ll notice is the yeasty aroma of rising Horno bread and the welcoming smiles of Norma, Hutch, and daughter Nina. A hot drink allows for a moment to take in your surroundings: traditional and contemporary art, family photos, woven baskets, and a turquoise cast iron stove.
Norma will then guide you on a unique culinary adventure – beginning with hand kneaded dough for seasonal treats which you will stuff with locally harvested prune and cherry filling. In this intimate setting, Norma, with grace and warmth, will share the rich history of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, “the place of strong people,” and their efforts to preserve their culture.
Later, you will join Hutch as he tends to the wood burning ‘Horno’, a beehive shaped adobe oven invented by the Moors, and introduced by the Spanish settlers to the Pueblo communities in the 1600s. The ovens are heated by hot river stones encased in the floor which warms the adobe to an even temperature. Hutch will show you how to load up the ovens with bread, pastries, and gourmet surprises. You will be surprised how quickly they turn a golden crispy brown. Lunch will be a delicious confluence of laughs, stories, and locally sourced dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
In the afternoon, we will travel just a few miles north to the Los Luceros Historical Site which borders the Rio Grande River. This area hasarea, has been home to indigenous peoples and was later settled by the Luceros and Ortiz families in the 1700s. Then socialite turned farmer, Mary Cabot Wheelwright, took ownership of the ranch in the early 1900s where she hosted shamans, artists, and writers. A docent led introduction will illuminate and deepen these colorful stories. Afterwards, you will have a chance to explore on your own acres of fruit orchards, groves of Cottonwood trees, and the historic buildings, which include a restored Capilla (chapel 1886 AD), a 5,700 square foot Territorial Style hacienda (1860-1870 AD), a Victorian Guest House, and River House. You will travel back in time as you take in rare views of the Jemez mountains and decompress on the pristine banks of the Rio Grande.
During this full day tour your senses will be satiated with the taste of local flavors, the sight of dramatic landscapes, the warmth of sun baked adobe walls. A gift to lift your soul and ground your heart as we peel back the many layers of our culture, land and boundless blue skies.
The Feasting Place has been named Small Business of the Year twice by the Small Business Development Center and has been featured in New Mexico Magazine, Local Flavor, Edible New Mexico, Land Water People Time, and other magazines. Hutch and Norma are also farmers and ranchers, growing chicos, chile, squash, watermelon, and other vegetables. They also raise cattle and chickens that sustain them through the winter. Their way of life reflects sustainable traditions long held by Pueblo and Hispanic communities in Northern Mexico for centuries.
DIFFICULTY RATING: 2
1 = Easy | 3 = Moderate | 5 = Difficult
GUEST MIN/MAX: 1 min / 6 max
TRAVELER TIPS
- Luxury SUV transportation with your field guide
- Admission to Los Luceros Historical Site
- Feast Lunch at the Naranjo Home
- Norma’s Cookbook “The Four Sisters”
This Experience is very limited. Please sign up early to secure this opportunity.
Heritage Inspirations & The Inn of The Five Graces
Heritage Inspirations is the preeminent luxury adventure company in New Mexico, and as Forbes Magazine points out, “one of the few truly high-end, meaningful, genuine, and sustainability-minded travel companies operating in the United States.”
Bringing a lifetime of invaluable insights and connections, Heritage Inspirations draws on their closest relationships to thoughtfully illuminate the incredible people, cultural sites, traditions, magnificent landscapes, and natural wonders for our guests.
Together with the Five Graces Private Experiences team, we have crafted highly curated, all-inclusive guided tours specifically designed to inspire ‘core memories’ that will endure long after the journey ends.
*Five Graces Private Experiences, offered in partnership with Heritage Inspirations, are exclusively available to guests of The Inn.
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