Gruet Winery
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Gruet Winery is a New Mexico winery and family business founded in 1984. It specializes in traditional method sparkling wines using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and also produces some still wine.
It traces its history to Gilbert Gruet's Champagne house, Gruet e Fils, which he established in 1952 in Bethon, France. After a visit to New Mexico in 1983 and meeting with a group of European vinters who had successfully planted vineyards there, Natalie and Laurent Gruet planted an experimental vineyard of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Engle, New Mexico about 10 miles from Truth or Consequences. The first release was in 1989, principally sparkling wine. In 1993, Gruet opened its own winery and tasting room in Albuquerque.[1][2][3]
Gilbert's son Laurent became the chief winemaker in 1987.[3] Sofian Himeur, the grandson of Gilbert Gruet, briefly served as assistant winemaker[4] before leaving to work at Iron Horse, and then VARA Winery & Distillery.
Initially, the production was marketed to restaurants, including to sommeliers in New York, where it became a favorite. Over thirty years, production increased from 2,000 cases to 200,000 cases annually.[3] As of 2017, it had become New Mexico's largest wine producer.[5] Domaine Saint-Vincent Méthode Champenoise is their entry-level sparkling wine.
In 2015 Gruet was purchased by Precept Wine of Seattle, Washington.[3]
