GRUET WINERY

The Tradition ContinuesIn 1983, the Gruet Family was traveling through the southwestern part of the US, and while in New Mexico met a group of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards in Engle, near the town of Truth or consequences, 170 miles south of the city of Albuquerque. After hearing of vineyards planted there as early as the 1600s, and the specific climate and soil conditions of the region, they knew they had found what they were looking for.In 1984, Gilbert Gruet, whose Champagne house, Gruet et Fils has produced fine Champagnes in Bethon, France, since 1952, made the decision to plant an experimental vineyard. It was exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. His children, Laurent and Nathalie Gruet, and Farid Himeur then relocated to the Great State of New Mexico to begin their American winemaking adventure.At 4300 ft. above sea level, the vineyards are some of the highest in the United States. Regardless of how hot or cold the days might be, the temperature at night drops as much as 30 degrees during the growing season, cooling the fruit and slowing the maturation process. Sandy loam soil, and a lack of humidity that might contribute to rot, gives us a consistency of fruit year in and year out, and allows us to produce our award winning wines without the use of pesticides. We hand- harvest all of our fruit to ensure ripeness and quality.The excellent 1987 harvest allowed Gruet Winery to produce our first two wines following the strict guidelines of authentic Methode Champenoise. Our Gruet Brut non- vintage, and our Brut Blanc de Noirs non-vintage production totaled 2,000 bottles. All the machinery had been shipped from France and the wine was produced in a small rented facility in the City of Albuquerque.In 1989, after almost two years of aging en tirage, our first two sparkling wines were introduced to a very appreciative wine world. Critics and connoisseurs alike were astonished by the quality and the value. New Mexico wine was on the map! In 1993 we built our present facility in North Albuquerque. State of the art equipment contributes to the continued success of the Gruet Winery.*In 2004, Gruet produced 77,000 cases of wine and distributed to 49 of the 50 states. We now produce seven sparkling wines: Brut NV, Blanc de Noirs NV, Vintage Blanc de Blanc, Vintage Grand Rose, Demi-Sec NV, Vintage Grande Reserve and our newest creation, Rose NV! We also produce two excellent Chardonnays and a Pinot Noir. Our strict dedication to the quality and a strict adherence to the methods learned from Gilbert Gruet have guaranteed our wines a place in the landscape of great American wines. Enjoy a glass… and then another! *Join us for a tour of our facilities. Call 888-857-9463, or visit our website atwww.gruetwinery.comwww.gruetgrille.comwww.gruetsteakhouse. com