About Gruet Winery
Gruet Winery brings Champagne methods to the high desert. Gilbert Gruet, born in 1931 in Bethon, France, ran the family Champagne house Gruet et Fils there; in 1984 he planted an experimental vineyard of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Engle, New Mexico, about 170 miles south of Albuquerque. Two of his children, Laurent and Nathalie, moved to New Mexico to start the American winery. The first wines, a 1987 Brut and Blanc de Noirs, were released in 1989, and in 2024 Carrie Gurule became the first woman to serve as Gruet's head winemaker.
The Albuquerque tasting room sits at the winery itself, on the I-25 frontage road on the city's north side. Tasting flights start at $20 and wine by the glass at $8, and cocktails and mocktails are poured too. You can sit inside, on the patio or in the Grand Cru private lounge, which seats six to eight. The winery schedules guided tours with a tasting, such as one listed for October 18, 2026, and offers a sparkling wine and caviar pairing for $85.
Charcuterie and other light bites rotate on the menu. Walk-ins are always welcome, and large groups are encouraged to reserve. The tasting room also hosts private events and seasonal happenings such as winemaker dinners and, in June 2026, a National Bubbly Day celebration. A second tasting room is in the Hotel St. Francis in Santa Fe.
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, which has grown lavender since 1999, is about 15 minutes southwest in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Its fields and farm shop make a natural first stop before an afternoon flight here.
What to do
- Taste a flight of méthode champenoise sparkling wines, from $20
- Book a scheduled winery tour and tasting
- Pair sparkling wine with caviar ($85)
- Reserve the Grand Cru lounge for a group of six to eight
- Sit on the patio with a glass or bottle and light bites
- Watch for winemaker dinners and the June National Bubbly Day
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Tasting room open daily; tours on scheduled dates through the year
- Hours
- Posted on their website (checked October 2026): Sun–Wed 11 am–7 pm, Thu–Sat 11 am–9 pm
- Admission
- Free to visit; tasting flights from $20, wine by the glass from $8, caviar pairing $85 (2026)
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Reservations
- Walk-ins welcome; reservations encouraged for large groups
Tips for your visit
- Park in front of the tasting room; if the lot is full, use the street around the corner on Carmel Ave
- Reserve ahead for large groups, the private lounge or a tour
- Plan a designated driver before you go
Pair it with a lavender farm
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm · about 15 minutes away
Los Poblanos in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is about 15 minutes away, so its lavender fields and shop pair easily with a tasting here.
Getting there
Questions
Do I need a reservation?
No. Walk-ins are always welcome, though large groups are encouraged to reserve.
How much is a tasting?
Flights start at $20 and glasses at $8, as listed in 2026.
Where are the grapes grown?
Gruet's original vineyard is in Engle, New Mexico, about 170 miles south of Albuquerque, first planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Albuquerque's North Valley & Los Ranchos, New Mexico
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
