High Desert Crush: The Vine Takes Root for New Mexico Wine

photo credit: Heritage Inspirations

From grape to glass, an unexpected history of terroir, tradition, and adventure

Long before California became synonymous with American wine, New Mexico’s high desert river canyons and fertile valleys were cultivating grapes. In 1629, Franciscan missionaries planted the first vines along the Rio Grande, widely recognized as the earliest viticulture in North America. Nearly 400 years later, each vineyard draws on rich soils, dramatic day-to-night temperature swings, and the elevated terrain that defines this unique wine region.

Over the next two centuries, local vineyards flourished. By the late 1800s, New Mexico was producing more than a million gallons of wine annually, a remarkable feat for a frontier territory. That early momentum was interrupted by floods in the mid-20th century and the rise of California’s industrial wine machine, but the legacy was never forgotten.

By the late 1970s, a generation of pioneers began planting grapes again, blending European varieties and winemaking techniques with uniquely New Mexican terroir. Today, with more than 50 wineries across the state and several American Viticultural Areas, New Mexico is once again staking its claim as a serious wine region.

“New Mexico has always been a place where people are willing to experiment,” says Laurent Gruet, of Gruet Winery, “The conditions are challenging, but when the grapes thrive, they produce something truly unique.”

photo credit: Heritage Inspirations

A Field Guide to Wine Country

For travelers arriving in Taos, one of the most natural ways to step into this story is by following the vineyards south along the Rio Grande into the Embudo Valley.

The Wineries & Art Tour from Taos, created by Heritage Inspirations founder,,Angelisa Murray, connects visitors directly with the people and landscapes shaping Northern New Mexico’s modern wine scene. “The arrival of spring is so significant to the land and our connection to it here in Northern New Mexico,” Murray says, “It’s a time when our unique microclimate is center stage and change is happening all around us, even hidden underfoot. The smell of wet earth and new leaves in the air and the foothills invigorates the senses and invites us outside again.”

Murray’s tour began with one vineyard and grew into a cohesive route to give a fuller picture of the Rio Grande Valley and a layered experience of its culture. Stops include boutique producers like Vivác Winery and La Chiripada Winery, as well as artisan studios along the High Road to Taos.

“Guests see how the vineyards, the sun, and the altitude interact with grape growing,” she adds. “We wanted to create a journey that connects the dots and provides richer context for understanding the story of this valley’s agricultural traditions, as shared by the people shaping it.”

photo credit: Heritage Inspirations

Vivác Winery, High-Altitude Craft, Family Vision

At the heart of Northern New Mexico’s modern wine renaissance is Vivác Winery, an award-winning boutique producer in Dixon, that couples technical rigor with local spirit. Founded in 1998 by brothers Chris and Jesse Padberg, along with their spouses Michele and Liliana, Vivác has grown from a small family project into one of the region’s most respected wineries.

The French word Vivác means “high-altitude refuge,” an apt description for a winery surrounded by vineyards and mesas in the Embudo Valley at over 6,000 feet. Intense sunlight, cool nights, and slow ripening cycles contribute to the complexity and European leanings of Vivác’s wines. Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Tempranillo thrive in Northern New Mexico’s dramatic day-to-night temperature swings, accumulating a character all their own in the bottle. The vinters regularly take trips to Spain and other European wine regions to further their craft, and the results are in the glass. Vivác is one of New Mexico’s most awarded wineries, having earned Double Gold and Best-of-Show medals in international competitions and 90+ point ratings from respected wine critics.

“We love how the sentiment in these old world varietals feel so familiar a world away,” explains Chris Padberg. “Our altitude gives the grapes structure and bright acidity that you just don’t find elsewhere, a quality exceptional for enjoying with a meal or snacks.”

Many visitors who discover Vivác during a trip through Dixon often find themselves wanting to stay longer in the valley. For those looking to deepen the experience, the nearby Vineyard House offers an overnight stay that includes a free tasting at the tasting room. Spending a night lets you feel the rhythm of the vineyard, to take a moment to make space for a deeper meaning, to not have to worry about rushing off before sunset, or just plain relaxation!

photo credit: Heritage Inspirations

La Chiripada Winery, Adobe Roots, Artisan Tradition

Just down the valley from Vivác lies another cornerstone of the region’s wine revival, La Chiripada Winery.

Founded in 1981 by brothers Michael and Patrick Johnson, La Chiripada is among the oldest wineries in New Mexico and one of the highest-elevation vineyards in the country. The adobe tasting room and surrounding vineyard were developed by hand in the fertile Embudo Valley, where warm summer days and cool nights create ideal grape-growing conditions. La Chiripada has produced a wide range of wines including robust reds, crisp whites, and experimental blends that reflect both creativity and respect for the land. La Chiripada also participates in the Dixon Studio Tour, linking local art and craft to the wine!

Make a Splash

The geography that makes Northern New Mexico an exciting place to grow grapes also makes it an exceptional place for adventure. Just south of Taos, the Rio Grande carves through the Gorge’s basalt cliffs, creating one of the Southwest’s most scenic rafting corridors. During spring and early summer, snowmelt fills the river, creating prime conditions for whitewater rafting. Guests can now combine adrenaline and terroir on a full-day whitewater rafting and wine tasting tour with New Mexico River Adventures.

On this trip, participants navigate Class II–III rapids along the Rio Grande Gorge with experienced guides who share insights about the river’s geology, ecology, and history. After the river run, the adventure continues with a scenic lunch and tastings at local wineries, giving visitors the chance to experience Northern New Mexico’s vineyards from bud break to bottle. This combination of rafting and wine offers a rare perspective; you see the land that nurtures the vines while feeling the power of the river that shapes the valley.

Enjoy Local Wine at Home

Organizations like the New Mexico Wine & Grape Growers Association help support winemakers and growers while advancing the state’s wine culture through festivals and tastings, including the Taos Winter Wine Festival. But you do not have to visit during a special event to enjoy New Mexican wine. Any time of year, you can find local selections on restaurant menus and retail shelves throughout the Town of Taos and Taos Ski Valley. After heading down the valley, stop in at Restaurant Juliette at Hotel Willa or the eclectic natural wine bar Corner Office to enjoy New Mexican wines by the glass or bottle, paired with food that highlights local ingredients and a true sense of place. Savor and continue the journey upon returning home by picking up a bottle you enjoyed or trying something new at The Cellar.

A Sparkling Success Story

While the Rio Grande Valley vineyards form the core of Northern New Mexico’s wine route, the state’s broader reputation owes much to Gruet Winery. Founded by the Champagne-focused Gruet family in the 1950s, son Laurent Gruet, helped perfect their offering to the world. The winery recognized early that New Mexico’s high elevation, warm days, and cool nights were ideal for sparkling wine grapes. “When we started, many people didn’t think sparkling wine could thrive here,” Gruet says, “But the climate produces grapes with perfect acidity and structure.” Their first American releases in the late 1980s quickly gained recognition nationwide. Gruet’s success helped pave the way for smaller family producers in Northern New Mexico and brought the region’s wines to the attention of national retailers.

The Digestif that is New Mexico

Spring in New Mexico marks the start of a new cycle in the vineyard. Bud break arrives as vines awaken from winter dormancy, while snowmelt fills the Rio Grande and sends water rushing through the canyon. For travelers, it’s an ideal time to combine adventure and wine, with rafting in the morning, tasting in the afternoon, and exploring Taos as the blossoms open and herald the green summer to come.