(Oct. 1, 2024; ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.)—JP Clement, general manager and CEO of VARA Winery & Distillery, an urban winery and craft distillery based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is pleased to announce the inaugural release of VARA’s 2023 New Mexico Sparkling Brut (SRP $27), crafted by VARA winemaker and partner Laurent Gruet. While the winery has produced sparkling wine since its inception with a blend of fruit from Washington, California, and New Mexico, this bottling marks Laurent’s first sparkling wine made from 100% New Mexican grapes in nearly 25 years.
“I am elated to have found some great growing partners in Southern New Mexico so that we can make a high-quality sparkling wine that is 100% from New Mexico and beautifully expresses the terroir of my home state,” says Gruet. “The 2023 harvest was one to remember, and the resulting wine is brimming with well-structured grapes that display beautiful, bright aromas. I’ve long known that New Mexico has the power to produce high-quality grapes, and in returning to my roots with this release, we here at VARA have demonstrated just that.”
This new offering from VARA Winery & Distillery highlights Gruet’s passion for wine in The Land of Enchantment. Gruet joined the VARA Winery & Distillery team in December 2020 after establishing himself as an icon and visionary in the world of domestic Méthode Champenois sparkling wine owing to his pioneering work in New Mexico. With more than 40 sparkling wine harvests under his belt, Gruet intimately understands the limitless possibilities of New World sparkling wine.
Gruet proudly welcomed his nephew and fellow New Mexican, Sofian Himeur, as a VARA winemaker in 2023. Together, they crafted the 2023 VARA New Mexico Sparkling Brut, a Méthode Champenoise wine that blends 72% Chenin Blanc from Ludwig Farms in Anthony, 18% Listán Prieto from Cervantes Farms in Vado, and 10% Pinot Meunier from Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Vineyards in Albuquerque. The inclusion of Listán Prieto honors New Mexico’s history as the birthplace of winegrape growing in the United States. It was here that the variety was first planted by Spanish missionaries, who began cultivating vines in 1629 before bringing them north to California.
All fruit was handpicked before undergoing whole cluster pressing. Immediately after pressing, the juice was settled in stainless steel tanks for 48 hours. The wine was racked and inoculated with specialized yeast strains selected by Gruet and Himeur. Following fermentation, the wine was racked again and carefully blended before spending ten months on tirage.
“We are honored that our first sparkling wine made from 100% New Mexican grapes was crafted by none other than winemaking legend Laurent Gruet,” says Clement. “As an urban winery and craft distillery in Albuquerque, we endeavor to craft wines and spirits that reflect the essence of New Mexico. Upholding this commitment, we continue expanding our portfolio of New Mexican-grown wines to highlight our state’s terroir and can’t wait to share what’s to come.”
The VARA 2023 New Mexico Sparkling Brut is available online and at the VARA Winery & Distillery Balloon Fiesta Park Tasting Room, Nob Hill Tasting Room, and Santa Fe Tasting Room.
Please see here for a Google Drive folder with digital assets, including tech sheets and bottle shots.
About VARA Winery & Distillery
Founded in 2016, VARA is an Albuquerque-based urban winery and craft distillery that brings together a passionate circle of professionals who use innovative techniques to create wines and spirits that express a uniquely New Mexican point of view. VARA is inspired by New Mexico’s boundary-pushing culture and the state’s history of winemaking, which spans nearly 400 years and is as rich and storied as the region’s colorful landscapes. VARA Winery & Distillery produces still, sparkling, and fortified wines, along with brandy, gin, rum, and vodka. VARA has three tasting rooms in New Mexico: the Balloon Fiesta Park Tasting Room, located at 315 Alameda Blvd. NE; the Santa Fe Tasting Room, located at 329 W. San Francisco St; and the Nob Hill Tasting Room, located at 201 Hermosa Dr. NE. VARA’s tasting rooms offer wine and spirits flights as well as a curated selection of cocktails and tapas. Please visit VARAspirits.com for hours of operations and reservations.
For more information about VARA Winery & Distillery, please visit www.VARAspirits.com and www.VARAwines.com.
Follow on social media:
Instagram: @VARAwine and @VARAspirits
Facebook: @VARAWines
