Gruet Winery - Albuquerque, New Mexico - Wineries on Waymarking.com

From the Gruet website:

Gilbert Gruet founder of Gruet Winery was born in Bethon, France in 1931. He grew up in a poor family, and began working at a young age. In 1952, Gilbert Gruet, along with his wife Danielle, dreamt of producing fine quality Champagne. Gilbert followed his heart and in 1967 created the U.V.C.B. (Union Vinicole des Coteaux de Bethon), a co-op in the village of Bethon.

In 1983, the Gruet family was traveling through the Southwestern part of the United States, and while in New Mexico met a group of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards In Engle, near the town of Truth or Consequence, 170 miles south of Albuquerque. The land was inexpensive and the opportunity golden. In 1984, Gilbert Gruet, whose Champagne house, Gruet et Fils had produced fine Champagne in Bethon, France, since 1952, made the decision to plant an experimental vineyard, exclusively planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. His children, winemaker Laurent and daughter Nathalie, and family friend Farid Himeur then relocated to the great state of New Mexico to begin their American wine making adventure.

At 4300 ft. the vineyards are some of the highest in the United States, so regardless of how hot the days might be, the temperature at night can drop as much as thirty degrees, cooling the fruit and slowing down the maturation process on an otherwise short growing season. Sandy and loamy soil, and a lack of humidity that might contribute to rot, give us a consistency of fruit year in and year out, and allow us to produce our award winning wines without the use of pesticides.

The excellent 1987 harvest allowed Laurent to produce his first two wines following the strict guidelines of a true Methode Champenoise. His Gruet Brut N.V., and his Gruet Brut Blanc de Noirs N.V. Production totaled 5000 bottles. All manual machinery had been shipped from France and the wine was produced in a small rented facility in the city of Albuquerque.

In 1989, after the required minimum of two years aging on 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 2008 Gruet sold 100,000 cases of wine and distributed them to 48 states. We now produce seven different sparkling wines: Brut NV (non-vintage), Blanc de Noirs NV, Rosé NV, Demi Sec NV, vintage Blanc de Blancs, vintage Grand Rosé, and the Gruet Winery's luxury tête de cuvée — the vintage Gilbert Gruet Grande Reserve. We also produce two excellent Chardonnays and two Pinot Noirs, both with a regular bottling and an unfiltered barrel select reserve bottling.

Winery Size: Super Large 100,000 Cases or More Attached vineyard?: no Tasting Room Available?: yes Days and hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m Charge for tasting?: 6.00 (listed in local currency) Tours Available: no Cost of Tour: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Phone #: 888-857-9463 Address: 8400 Pan American Frwy NE Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113 Winery, Wine Cooperative, or Tasting Center's Website: [Web Link] Types of wines: Wines: Chardonnay Pinot Noir Syrah Sparkling Wines: Blanc de Noirs Brut Demi Sec Best Wine Tasted: Pinot Noir Rate the Best Wine Tasted: Price per Bottle: 11.00 (listed in local currency) 2nd Best Wine Tasted: Chardonnay Rate the 2nd Best Wine Tasted: Price per Bottle #2: 14.00 (listed in local currency) Winery Club: Yes Wine Club Description:: From the Gruet website: As a member of the Gruet Winery Private Wine Club, you will receive six shipments per year of our still and sparkling wines. Each shipment will be two or more bottles selected by our winemaker, Laurent Gruet. You will also enjoy the benefit of a ten percent discount on all purchases of our wines. Laurent is also planning to send some vintages from his private library, print Club labels, and produce special cuvees exclusively for our members. Any time you visit us, you will be complimented with a tasting here in our charming tasting room. As the club grows, we plan to hold special events at the winery. Altogether, "Le Club des Vins" is a great way to stay in touch with our favorite people, to share the best we have, and to hear your comments. There are no introductory fees. We will bill your credit card as we ship the wine, with an average cost of approximately $80 per shipment (six shipments throughout the year — three in the spring and three in the fall), or approximately $500 in annual purchases. Overall Comments:: Nice ambiance in the tasting room with helpful staff.

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