New Mexico Winery Celebrates 50 Years of Zinfandel Production

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The New Mexico Winegrowers Association claims that New Mexico is America's oldest winemaking region, with the first grapevines planted in 1629. After a decline in the late 1800s, the state's wine industry has seen a resurgence since 1978, with 42 wineries and tasting rooms now operating. St. Clair Winery, located in Deming, New Mexico, is one such winery, with French brothers Florent and Emmanuel Lescombes bringing six generations of winemaking experience to their 120-acre vineyard in Pyramid Valley.

Why it matters

New Mexico's long history of winemaking, dating back to the 17th century, is a testament to the state's suitability for grape cultivation. The rebirth of the industry in the late 20th century has allowed wineries like St. Clair to showcase the unique terroir and varietals of the region, contributing to the growing reputation of New Mexico as a premier wine destination.

The details

St. Clair Winery's Cellarmaster's Reserve Zinfandel 2010 is a bold, jammy red wine that showcases the state's winemaking prowess. The wine is medium-dark in color and offers aromas of dusty, brambly blackberry and black cherry, with hints of spice and licorice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and almost silky, with flavors of plums and blackberries.

• The first grapevines were planted in New Mexico in 1629.
• New Mexico was once the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the U.S., producing nearly a million gallons per year in the late 1800s.
• The rebirth of New Mexico's wine industry began in 1978, and the state now has 42 wineries and tasting rooms.

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