02/24/2026
đž New Mexico: Americaâs First Wine State? Yes!
Believe it or not, New Mexico â not California â was the first place in the U.S. where European grapes were planted. Spanish missionaries planted Vitis vinifera along the Rio Grande in 1629, building on centuries of advanced Indigenous irrigation techniques pioneered by the Ancestral Puebloans.
Fast forward to today, and New Mexicoâs wine story is still evolving â led by powerhouse winemakers like Carrie Gurule, Head Winemaker at Gruet Winery.
Carrieâs path? From nuclear medicine to sparkling wine. After working in her familyâs vineyard, training in France and at UC Davis, and climbing the ranks at Gruet, she now leads one of the countryâs most respected sparkling wine producers.
Gruetâs specialty is traditional-method sparkling wine (MĂŠthode Champenoise), crafted with the âholy trinityâ grapes of Champagne â Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay â grown in New Mexicoâs high desert climate.
Standouts include: ⨠Pinot Meunier RosÊ
⨠Blanc de Blancs (100% NM Chardonnay)
⨠Brut RosÊ
⨠Grande Reserve (oak-aged Chardonnay)
From green chile stew to salmon and tacos, these wines pair beautifully with bold flavors â proving New Mexico isnât just ancient history⌠itâs a sparkling legacy. đĽ