DEDICATION
TO OUR PARENTS, DANY AND GILBERT GRUET
ur father, Gilbert, was the son of a poor farmer. He learned to make OChampagne as a volunteer, planted his own vineyards, created a cooperative, built a winery and became a negociant in Bethon, France before investing in New Mexico. Dany, the daughter of a baker, worked every aspect of the business with Gilbert: vineyards, production, tasting room, hosting events and bookkeeping.
Without both Dany and Gilbert paving the way, we would never have been able to live the journey that led us to where we are now. We, children and grandchildren, are grateful for their many gifts.
With gratitude and love, HERITAGE
PIONEERS IN BETHON AND NEW MEXICO
ow does a French winemaking family find near the town of Truth or Consequences, 170 miles Hitself making world-class sparkling wine in south of Albuquerque. The land was inexpensive the New Mexico desert? It started with Gilbert and the opportunity golden. In 1984, Gilbert Gruet Gruet, whose Champagne house at Gruet et Fils made the decision to plant an experimental vineyard has produced fine Champagne in Bethon, France in the New Mexico desert, exclusively planted to since 1952. Gilbert got started after he helped a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. His children, friend build his winery and in exchange he asked winemaker Laurent and daughter Nathalie, along how to learn to make Champagne. with her then-husband Farid Himeur and their infant son, Sofian, relocated As a wedding gift following his to New Mexico to begin their marriage to Danielle (Dany), American winemaking adventure. Gilbert’s father had given him a small parcel of farmland In New Mexico the young Gruets in Bethon which he used to experienced a steep learning curve plant Chardonnay. Gilbert soon and cultural customs in addition succeeded in promoting Bethon as to a lack of grape-growing a promising wine grape-growing infrastructure and planting village for producing quality machinery. “Dad’s philosophy was Champagne. In 1967 he created that you work really hard at what “DAD’S PHILOSOPHY WAS THAT YOU WORK REALLY the U.V.C.B. (Union Vinicole des you do and reap the rewards,” HARD AT WHAT YOU DO AND REAP THE REWARDS... Coteaux de Bethon), a co-op in the Nathalie said. “If you think it’s village of Bethon. In the midst, the going to fall from the sky, you IF YOU THINK IT’S GOING TO FALL FROM THE SKY, Gruet family grew: twin daughters will wait your whole life.” YOU WILL WAIT YOUR WHOLE LIFE.”-NATHALIE GRUET Isabelle and Jacqueline, daughter Nathalie and son Laurent would The first year they endured heat, all learn to work hard at a young age, and as adults whipping dust, tarantulas and rattlesnakes, nothing become part of the Gruet’s legacy. like in France. During the first vineyard plantings they lay on their stomachs in a flatbed, dropping Gilbert’s dream, expanding the reach of fine, vines into holes to the cadence of Gilbert’s gong. quality Champagne beyond European boundaries, Dany and Gilbert resumed work in France, visiting eventually led him to the New World. Many French New Mexico periodically as Nathalie and Laurent investors were establishing wineries in California grew that enterprise. Plantings later moved to a and South America in the early 1980s. Gilbert vineyard in central New Mexico, and the Gruets followed the trend, but with a twist. established a rented winery facility in 1986 in Albuquerque, later replaced in 1993 by the current In 1983, the Gruet family was traveling through the flagship Albuquerque location. Southwestern part of the United States, and while in New Mexico met a group of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards in Engle, Q&A WITH
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINE TO DRINK?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VARIETAL TO MAKE?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT NEW MEXICO?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT FRANCE?
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT THE WINERY?
IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE RED AND ONE WHITE TO DRINK FOR THE NEXT MONTH WITH EVERY DINNER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A WINEMAKER? A TALE OF TWO REGIONS
FROM BETHON TO NEW MEXICO
he origins of the Gruet family’s winemaking In 1984, When Gilbert and Danielle Gruet expanded Tlegacy starts in this small village of Bethon, their winemaking enterprise to the United States, located in the Côte de Sézanne. Gilbert founded European investment had already begun in his namesake Champagne house in 1952 with his Northern California vineyards and wineries. In wife, Danielle. New Mexico, however, Gilbert met a group of Europeans experimenting with vinifera plantings In 1967, Gilbert created a cooperative agricultural in the desert. He was encouraged by what he saw. association: Union Vinicole of Bethon Coteaux Already the site of winemaking since 1629 when (UVCB). Alongside planting, harvesting and Franciscan monks made sacramental wine, New production for his own brand, he anticipated Mexico was proven territory. the needs of Champagne as a region. By realizing the area’s fertility and prestige, he assembled a With its dry soils, diurnal shift and affordable land, group of producers (owners-growers) to develop Gilbert saw the potential for his sparkling wine into a cooperative force that would better meet operation to be a “big fish in a small pond.” Gruet GILBERT SAW THE POTENTIAL FOR HIS SPARKLING WINE market needs. Winery was born, its first vintage harvested in 1987. OPERATION TO BE A “BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND.” MEET THE FAMILY
THREE GENERATIONS OF MÉ THODE CHAMPENOISE WINEMAKING
FOUNDERS WINEMAKER PARTNER ASSISTANT WINEMAKER
The son of a poor farmer, the late Gilbert Gruet At age seven, Laurent Gruet’s earliest memories From 1984 to present, Nathalie helped catapult There are few people more poised than Sofian first learned to make Champagne as a volunteer, of wine were made alongside his father. He could Gruet into its present position as one of the to speak to Gruet’s past, present and enduring, planted his own vineyard, built his first winery be found cleaning tanks, pumping wines and best-rated American sparkling wines in its price bright future. Arriving in New Mexico as a tot and started a negociant business. His wife, Danielle, helping on the bottling line. Laurent made his first category. By first partnering with visionary, from France with his pioneering family, Sofian is the daughter of a baker. Alongside Gilbert she champagne in 1981, a Blanc de Blancs at Gruet et boutique distributors on East and West Coasts, embodies the spirit of Gruet Winery. As the worked every aspect of the business, from the Fils. With supplemental studies at Lycée Viticole de she and her brother, Laurent, marketed the wine grandson of Gilbert, nephew of Laurent and son vineyards and winery, to retail, entertaining and la Champagne in Avize, France, Laurent was dually as a luxury product made in the true Méthode of Nathalie, Sofian has spent a lifetime performing bookkeeping. Together the couple epitomized hard impressed by winemaker Clement Novack, who Champenoise that any American could afford. Word nearly every task in and outside of the winery. work and resilience, and instilled those ethics in worked with the family. In his American endeavor, of mouth and her marketing focus on chefs and Today Sofian serves as the third generation of this generations to follow. Gruet Winery, his first official wine release from sommeliers put the Gruet brand in high esteem, winemaking legacy, mentored by his uncle in the the Albuquerque-based winery was in 1989. and the novelty of its New Mexico origin made Méthode Champenoise. the brand memorable. GRUET THROUGH THE YEARS
Gilbert Gruet establishes Gruet et Fils, elevating Bethon as a choice site for Chardonnay in Champagne Gilbert Gruet cultivates his first vineyards in Bethon, France, on land given to him by his father Gilbert Gruet starts exploring the United States’ winemaking regions with an eye on expansion
The younger Gruets move to New Mexico. Visiting family members assist during planting and later, harvest
The first releases of Gruet wine in the U.S. debut (1987 Brut and Blanc de Noirs, New Mexico)
Gruet Winery’s new Albuquerque facility opens on its own property, following years of renting another site
Gruet wins the Yarden Trophy at Beloved patriarch Gilbert Gruet the International Wine & Spirits On the 25th anniversary of its first passes away, the same calendar year Competition in London for its 1997 Gruet earns a #43 spot on Wine domestic wine release, Gruet partners Gruet sells one million bottles of wine Blanc de Blancs Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the with Precept Wine World list for its NV Blanc de Noirs
WINE PORTFOLIO
DRY DRY DRY DRY OFF DRY
75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay. 100% Pinot Noir. This nearly garnet 100% Chardonnay. This brut-styled 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. The Brut offers a crisp and full- The rich and toasty character of this Rosé, like all our non-vintage sparkler is medium lemon in color The subtle fruity aromas and the bodied sparkling wine which has Blanc de Noirs is balanced and poised. sparkling wines, is aged 12-16 months with a fantastic bead in the glass that freshness of the Demi Sec drive the developed rich complexity and fine Aged for 12-16 months minimum, en tirage. It has a lovely, bright floral remains incredibly lively throughout character of this light bodied, semi- mousse. The allure of a toasty finish the palate is developed and shows bouquet with hints of strawberry, the palate. Aromas of intense notes sweet sparkling wine. The palate from 12-16 months en tirage is a rich, complex flavors. The amazing raspberry, and cherry. On the palate, of brioche are followed by green carries through with a creamy texture complement to the sophisticated berry aromas and the creamy texture it is rich and fruity in a dry, Brut apples, lemon zest, honeysuckle, and and flavors of green apple, ripe pear, apple and citrus flavor. stand out and create a great finesse. style and reveals more strawberry, tropical fruit. pineapple and a hint of mineral. It is raspberry, cherry. delicate, lively and elegant. WINE PORTFOLIO: VINTAGE
Our vintage wines are our most prestigious wines. Made only when we have a particularly great harvest, these wines reflect the complexity and richness from the best grapes of the vintage. The wines are aged for a minimum of three years.
DRY DRY DRY
Chardonnay. This namesake cuvée, Chardonnay. Blanc de Blancs, French for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir. Dedicated to our dedicated to our founder, comes from “white of whites,” describes a sparkling tireless and spirited matriarch of the the oldest vines in our vineyards, is wine made from Chardonnay grapes. Gruet family, Cuvée Danielle features the made in a tête de cuvée Champagne style You’ll find this wine full of aromas and very best free-run Chardonnay married from free-run 100% Chardonnay, oak- flavors of green apple, lemon zest and with our finest barrel-aged Pinot Noir. aged for six months and then aged en tropical fruit, finishing with zesty acidity. The result is in one of our most sought- tirage for a minimum of three years. A after vintage wines; its rich, fine mousse true collectible from our winery, enjoy texture, cassis and hazelnut aromas layer the delicate brioche and bright mineral with cherry flavors and rose petals, aromas, with its layers of citrus and green finishing crisply. apple flavors and a lingering, apricot- kissed finish. Q&A WITH WINE PORTFOLIO: SAUVAGE
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINE TO DRINK?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VARIETAL TO MAKE?
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT NEW MEXICO?
BONE DRY
The brainchild of Assistant Winemaker, Sofian, Sauvage reveals the untamed and wild side of Gruet. Like Sofian, Sauvage adds fun, excitement and a WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT AT THE WINERY? bit of edginess to any occasion. Its bone-dry profile will ignite the senses and is the perfect pairing with fresh shellfish—especially oysters.
Pale straw in color with a fine, continuous bead and delicate mousse, this non-vintage Sauvage offers aromas of bright mineral notes followed by traces of green apple, lemon meringue pie, with a hint of daisy. This wine finishes with bright, crisp acidity on the palate with a light yet long finish. With limited residual sugar, the Gruet Sauvage is for the WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? sparkling connoisseur who appreciates bone dry acidity.
TOP 100 VALUES OF 2015
VINEYARDS HOW IT’S MADE
GRUET VINEYARD, LUNA ROSSA VINEYARD AND THE THE ART OF TRADITIONAL MÉ THODE CHAMPENOISE PUEBLO OF SANTA ANA VINEYARD
The winemaker makes and bottles a dry, still, Yeast and sugar are added to the bottled wine high-acid, low-alcohol white wine (base wine). and immediately capped.
ew Mexico is where it all started for Gruet. In addition to its vintage wines featuring the NThe state’s history of winemaking dating back New Mexico appellation, Gruet, since 2012, has more than 400 years, its soils that promote deep produced non-vintage American appellation wines rooting and thwart vine-killing diseases, elevation with supplemental sourcing from California and that brings seasonality for vine dormancy and Washington to ensure consistent excellent quality hardiness, dramatic day-to-night temperature shifts and to meet production demands. Wine is aged on the lees (dead yeast cells and This creates a second fermentation in the bottle, for great acidity, and wind for canopy health and other particles) while still in bottle. and takes 30 days to complete. full-flavored grapes make this a compelling wine- growing region.
75 PLANTED ACRES Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir 30 PLANTED ACRES Soil: Sandy loam Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier Elevation: 4,245 feet Soil: Sandy loam Elevation: 5,100 feet
300 PLANTED ACRES (PARTIAL SOURCING) After lees-aging is complete, the wine is riddled The wine is quickly topped off, and sweetness Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and disgorged to collect the remaining lees from (dosage) is added if desired. The bottle is resealed, Soil: Sandy loam each bottle, leaving a clear sparkling wine. cellared, and eventually released for sale. Elevation: 4,335 feet WINERY TASTING ROOM
FRENCH HERITAGE, AMERICAN MADE ALBUQUERQUE’S POPULAR DESTINATION
hen the family first began making wine in Winemaking practices brought from France also ocated inside Gruet’s Albuquerque, New Mexico WNew Mexico, it was in a rented facility. With translated to tools which the Gruet family refused Lwinery is its tasting room. Here, guests can MONDAY-THURSDAY | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. new relationships forming and increasing demands to compromise once in the New World. Within taste a selection of award-winning sparkling and FRIDAY | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for production, the need for space in a new location its walls are specialized pieces of equipment, still wines, the latter of which are typically only SATURDAY | noon to 7 p.m. became evident. This time, the Gruets designed a much of it from France, used in the production regionally available. In addition, extremely limited SUNDAY | noon to 5 p.m. building specifically as a winery, inclusive of tasting of Méthode Champenoise sparkling wine. reserve bottlings are found only within the tasting room, processing areas and warehouse space. room. Our winemaking team leads scheduled tours Today, Gruet Winery sits at the heart of metropolitan of the winery that start and end at the tasting room. 8400 Pan American Freeway NE Gilbert Gruet designed the interior, with its rich Albuquerque with views of the Rio Grande. From Albuquerque, NM 87113 finishes and Old World charm. The family also this spot, all facets of production happen. The Adjacent to the tasting room is the Barrel Room. insisted on owning the land, at the time located winery team makes more than 175,000 cases of Its floor-to-ceiling window gives a glimpse into the on the outskirts of Albuquerque in 1993. Its square sparkling wine per year and has aggressive plans winery’s barrel area and serves as a popular site (505) 821-0055 footage makes it known as the largest urban winery to double production by 2020. for private parties of up to 50 people. An outdoor in North America. patio is also used for festive wine club gatherings and private functions.
THE WINERY TEAM MAKES MORE THAN 125,000 CASES OF SPARKLING WINE PER YEAR AND HAS AGGRESSIVE PLANS TO DOUBLE PRODUCTION BY 2020. “For my money, the best sparkling wine in the U.S. is still produced by ACCLAIM & QUOTES Gruet in a place about as far away from Champagne as it could be…” -New York Magazine
PRAISE FROM TOP SOMMELIERS AND CRITICS “The blanc de noirs received one of my highest ratings...the non-vintage Brut was excellent… this is a winery that merits attention…” -Robert Parker
“Gruet produces a high quality sparkler that wine columnists rave about...” TOP 100 WINES OF THE WORLD (#43, NV BLANC DE NOIRS), 2011 -Forbes Magazine
TOP 100 VALUES OF 2015 (NV SAUVAGE)
“Gruet’s sparkling wines would be considered first rate… [they are]
particularly well balanced, achieving a focus that some famed California sparklers often lack.” -The Wine Enthusiast TOP 100 BEST BUYS OF THE YEAR FOR 2015 (NV BLANC DE NOIRS)
TOP 5 PREFERRED SPARKLING WINE BY BRAND “Gruet may be the biggest testament there is to the fact that delicious (DOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL) sparklers can and are being made in unexpected places.” -Sunset Magazine TOP 50 (#42) AMONG ALL TOP-SELLING, BY-THE-GLASS WINES, STILL OR SPARKLING (DOMESTIC OR INTERNATIONAL)
“For stylish sparkling wines that are the peers of many French Champagnes, turn to New Mexico…Francophile guests will smile.” -Howard Goldberg, New York Times
U.S. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, 2010
“The American entries triumphed… most of the U.S. sparkling wines were YARDEN TROPHY WINNER, 2004, FOR BEST SPARKLING WINE from California, but the winner was Gruet Brut Blanc de Noirs from New Mexico – a longtime favorite among sparkling wine lovers.” -New York Daily News
“For $15, generally, believe it or not, there is a bubbly from New Mexico called Gruet, and it’s DELICIOUS and dry, and I think it would be perfect to add to a champagne bar. I mean, very few people can do a champagne with New Mexico!” - Lynne Rosetto Kasper, The Splendid Table
“THIS IS A WINERY THAT MERITS ATTENTION...” -ROBERT PARKER Q&A WITH
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WINE TO DRINK?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VARIETAL TO DRINK?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT FRANCE?
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE “WINE MOMENTS” WHEN YOU EITHER DISCOVERED THE MAGIC OF WINE OR GAINED A NEW LEVEL OF APPRECIATION FOR IT? WWW.GRUETWINERY.COM