6 Wineries,
7 National Journalists,
390 Years of Wine Heritage
New Mexico Wine Hosts Media Tour of Our State’s Fascinating Wine Industry
Photography courtesy New Mexico Wine
New Mexico Wine, the state wine association representing 52 New Mexico winemakers and grape growers, recently introduced seven national and international journalists to more than 650 miles of New Mexico wine country. The six-day tour started in Las Cruces, ended in Albuquerque, and included stops in Deming, Ruidoso, and Santa Fe.
“The wine journalist tour was a big step forward in sharing the New Mexico Wine story,” explains New Mexico Wine Executive Director Chris Goblet. “Because we have limited distribution, outside of Gruet, people need to come to New Mexico in order to experience our wine culture.”
Tour attendees also learned about the ins-and-outs of the nation’s oldest wine growing region from guest speakers like Laurent Gruet (Gruet Winery), Paolo D’Andrea (Luna Rossa Winery), Morgan McGinley (NM Vintage Wine, Cowbelle Wines), Bernd Maier (Amaro Winery), Gordon Steele (Rio Grande Winery), and Jasper Riddle (Noisy Water Winery).
Global Wine Editor Deborah Parker Wong, who flew in from San Francisco for the event, says she gained some insight into growing wine grapes in what could be considered an “extreme” environment. “Tannin management struck me as the single biggest challenge for producers who toe a fine line between achieving the depth of color they’re after and managing tannins which are amplified by high altitude, UV and in some sites, plenty of wind,” she remembers. “There’s little doubt about the winegrowing practices that are producing the best quality fruit but there’s still plenty of room for experimentation with varieties and winemaking techniques.”
While Chris is pleased with how much New Mexico wine knowledge the visitors took back to their home states, he says New Mexico Wine learned just as much from their expertise.
“They shared all kinds of feedback with our winemakers and they continue to open doors for us in their home communities,” he notes. “One writer has scheduled a tasting in California of the wines of New Mexico. We continue to work with other journalists on preparing our next wine writers tour. This experience continues to create new opportunities for New Mexico Wine and we are getting inquiries from across the US for our next tour. It’s exciting times!”
DWSET, Global Wine Editor
The Tasting Panel Magazine
tastingpanelmag.com
The SOMM Journal
SOMMjournal.com
Have Guests in Town
Next time you have guests in town, follow in the wine journalists’ footsteps for a New Mexico experience they won’t soon forget.
DAY 1
Check in at
Hotel Encanto
705 S. Telshor Blvd.
hotelencanto.com
Dinner at
Luna Rossa Winery & Pizzeria
1321 Avenida de Mesilla
lunarossawinery.com/pizzeria
DAY 2
Breakfast at
Josefina’s Old Gate
2611 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla
josefinasgate.com
DAILY STOPS
Amaro Winery
402 S. Melendres St.
amarowinerynm.com
Luna Rossa Vineyard
3710 West Pine St., Deming
lunarossawinery.com
NM Vintage Wine, Beer, & Cigars
2461 Calle Principal, Mesilla
nmvintagewines.com
Dinner at
Salud! de Mesilla
1800 Avenida de Mesilla
saluddemesilla.com
DAY 3
Breakfast at
Spirit Winds Coffee Bar
2260 S. Locust Ave.
facebook.com/spiritwindsgs
DAILY STOPS
Rio Grande Winery
5321 NM-28
riograndewinery.com
Noisy Water Winery
2342 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso
noisywaterwinery.com
Dinner and Overnight at
Hurd La Rinconada Gallery
105 La Rinconada, San Patricio
wyethartists.com
New Mexico Wine
The post Wine Time appeared first on Las Cruces Magazine.
