There are so many bonds that historically connect America and France beyond the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States, and Colonial French Louisiana (Louisiane française), which was a part of the French First Republic until purchased by the USA in 1803.
Of course, one of my favorite stories beautifully illustrating the connection between the two countries is the signing of the armistice officially marking the end of World War II.
Why? Because Champagne was involved! The definitive German surrender took place in the headquarters of General Eisenhower in a school building in Reims, the capital of Champagne, on May 7, 1945. The last explosions that were heard were indeed those of champagne corks popping to celebrate the victory over Hitler’s Nazi-Germany.
But after I went on a recent road trip across America from Los Angeles to North Carolina, I came across another historically worth knowing French connection.
A hidden gem found during an impromptu stop in the oldest Capital city in America, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
As we wandered the streets of downtown Santa Fe, we serendipitously came across Gruet Winery. Located at the iconic St Francis Hotel, the Gruet tasting room is not just a local staple but as well a US wine travel destination that should be on everyone’s radar.
Did you know that New Mexico’s wine country is older than California’s acclaimed Napa Valley? New Mexico cemented its status as the New World Wine country in 1629 when Franciscan monks planted vineyards with crops smuggled out of Spain. A series of unfortunate historical events in the early 20th century sadly decimated the wine industry until some avant-garde French winemakers revived the area in the 1980s.
One of these visionary French winemakers who helped re-establish New Mexico’s Wine industry and has since singlehandedly been breaking barriers in the Southwest is Gilbert Gruet.
The Gruet story is that of French roots and American dreams.
The journey begins in 1931, in Champagne, France, when Gilbert Gruet, founder of Gruet Winery, was born in the town of Bethon.
Dreaming of producing fine quality Champagne, Gilbert Gruet followed his heart and in 1952 established his Champagne house (Gruet et Fils) producing fine Champagnes in Bethon, France. In 1967 he then created the co-op U.V.C.B. (Union Vinicole des Coteaux de Bethon).
A trip to the southwestern part of the US in 1983 allowed Gruet to meet a group of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards in New Mexico.
In 1984, Gilbert Gruet decided to plant an experimental vineyard in Engle, 170 miles south of the city of Albuquerque, officially planting the seeds of the Gruet Winery and bringing the Methode Champenoise and his champagne savoir-faire to New Mexico.
The plantings were exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The first release from Gruet Winery grown in New Mexico was in 1989: the 1987 Brut and Blanc de Noir.
They now bottle over 1.5 million wines annually — one of the largest “Méthode champenoise” houses stateside.
As trailblazers in American wine production, Gruet Winery continues to elaborate award-winning sparkling wines raising the bar for bubbly standards, as well as an amazing small collection of still wines.
The Gruet tasting room in Santa Fe opened its doors in 2016 and is the perfect spot for some afternoon of sparkling wine indulgence accompanied with cheese and charcuterie board. My personal favorite tasting was the bone-dry Gruet Sauvage NV. A must-try!
The best travel experiences are undoubtedly those that are filled with unpredictable adventures and discoveries, but they are even more rewarding and unforgettable when they take place with a glass of exceptional bubbly in hand.
For more information visit: https://www.gruetwinery.com/
