The Oldest Wine-Growing Region in the U.S. Is—

If you said California, you are wrong. It’s New Mexico!

Spanish settlers planted European-style grapes along the Rio Grande River in the early 1500’s. A hundred years later, missionaries planted grapes for religious purposes; well before grapes were planted in California.

New Mexico has a combination of geographic and environmental conditions for growing grapes. Also, its high elevation, warm days, and cool, refreshing nights makes it ideal for wineries. The elevations are some of the highest in the United States, so no matter how hot the days get, the night temperature can drop as much as 30 degrees. This allows the grapes to develop character and complexity while retaining their all-important acids.

In short, wineries are another reason why New Mexico is called “The Land of Enchantment.”