All posts by Editorial Team

Recipes & Pairings

KIVA and PORT Apple Pie recipe

Submitted by Britini Jahanbin

KIVA Apple Pie

Ingredients:

St. Clair KIVA

4 apples

Half Cup Brown Sugar/ Cane Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Chopped walnuts (sit overnight to dissolve)

Directions:
Put contents into a pot

Stir/melt in butter, a spoonful of starch, and a splash of milk

Stir until the contents are thick

Pie Crust per Pie

2 1/2 cups of flour

A mix of brown and cane sugar

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter

4-8 tablespoons of ice water (to consistency)


**Dress pie with crushed cereal, chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of cane sugar.

Bake until after the pie center rises. When ready, stick a toothpick or knife in the center; if the pie is done knife should come out clean from the center.

St. Clair PORT

Ingredients:

4 Apples

Half Cup Brown Sugar/ Cane Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Semi-sweet chocolate chips ( sit overnight to dissolve the sugar)

Directions:

Put contents into a pot

Stir/melt in butter, a spoonful of starch, and a splash of milk

Stir until the contents are thick

***Dress pie with remaining chocolate chips and a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Pie Crust per Pie

2 1/2 cups of flour

A mix of brown and cane sugar

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter

4-8 tablespoons of ice water (to consistency)

**Dress pie with crushed cereal, chopped walnuts, and a sprinkle of cane sugar.

Bake until after the pie center rises. When ready, stick a toothpick or knife in the center; if the pie is done knife should come out clean from the center.

Perfect for the holiday season!

Awards, In the Press

Voted Best Winery & Best Wine Bar

Thank you for making your voices heard and voting us Best Winery and Best Wine Bar!  

Community members were able to cast their votes for the Bulletin’s Best in Arts & Entertainment, Auto & Transportation, Business & Finance, Community, Eating & Drinking, Education, Health & Well Being, Home, Professionals, Shopping, Sports & Recreation.  

“I personally am excited about Bulletin’s Best. Because you’ll be voting online, it’s a truly COVID-safe event. It’s a chance for everyone in the Mesilla Valley to voice their opinion on almost anything you can imagine. But it also means we’ll be doing something together, and engaging with the whole community.” – Richard Coltharp/Las Cruces Bulletin Publisher  

We are honored to receive the Best Winery and Best Wine Bar award. Thank you to the staff of the Las Cruces Bulletin for the hard work they put in to recognize the outstanding businesses in our community.  

The awards are a testimony to the hard work and dedication of the Lescombes family that has been crafting wine in New Mexico since their emigration from Burgundy, France in 1981.

Our winery is located in the Mimbres Valley, just outside of Deming, New Mexico. Our traditions are preserved by Florent and Emmanuel Lescombes, who carry on their family’s six-generation history of winemaking.  

Our wine bar offers numerous award-winning wines for every taste. Just like New Mexico’s first vintners, our goal is to produce great wines and food for you to enjoy in the company of friends and family. 

“I am thankful for the trust our guests have placed in us. We continue to work extra hard to push ourselves to the next level.” – Thomas Perez/General Manager 

Blog, Uncategorized

6 Wines To Serve At Christmas Dinner

Whether you are entertaining a few guests or preparing a holiday meal for two, finding the right wine to pair with your meal is not as complicated as you may think.  

Here are a few suggestions.  

D.H. Lescombes Heritage Imperial Kir is based on the ‘Kir Imperiale’, a drink first made popular in the late 1800s. Awarded 90 Points, Gold, Best Buy & Best Sparling, this crisp, bubbly wine gets a touch of natural raspberry that makes the wine semi-sweet. The perfect bubbly wine for any celebration and an excellent aperitif to any meal or party. Uncork the bubbly and bring out the smiles! 

D.H. Lescombes 631 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon offers fresh cranberry on the nose with a touch of ripe black currant and light earth. Awarded 90 Points, Gold, you will find a bit more of a rustic tone to the fruit, yet not overpowering. Turn a great dinner into an unforgettable dining experience by accentuating the fruit flavors in this wine. Pair with lamb shank, pot roast, game, and other flavorful red meats. 

D.H. Lescombes Heritage Pinot Gris is crafted using a minimalistic winemaking approach, which includes allowing the wine to keep its unique, natural color. Awarded 87 Points, Silver, its elegant flavors of citrus zest and tart apple on the palate with a medium body make it perfect for easy food-pairing. Pair with light dishes that include fresh or grilled vegetables, roast chicken, or pasta salads.  

D.H. Lescombes Limited Release Mouvèdre boasts a lovely nose layered with rich aromas of chocolate, cherry cordial, and light leather. Awarded Class Champion, Chairman’s Best of Class, Gold, the moderate presence of oak enhances the wine’s flavors of raspberry, vibrant cherry, and cranberry with hints of vanilla. Pair with fruity jams and heaty dishes.

St. Clair Kiva & Port are perfect for those who love sweet, rich dessert wines that warm your soul. Awarded Double Gold, the rich aromas and flavors paired with smooth, robust sweetness are the hallmarks of these two stellar selections. Our process utilizes French oak maturation under the bountiful warmth of the New Mexico sun. The unique ceramic bottles pay tribute to the people who lived in the Mimbres region 1,000 years ago. These ancient people are a treasured piece of New Mexico’s rich history, well-known for their unique geometrically decorated pottery. Pour a glass or give the gift of New Mexico’s rich history.  

St. Clair Mimbres Red is the #1 selling red wine in New Mexico. Awarded 86 Points, Silver Medal, Best Buy & Highly Recommended, St. Clair Mimbres Red is a smooth, easy-drinking red wine with lush sweetness, appealing to those who enjoy their wine on the sweeter side. Pair with holiday dishes combining sweet and savory flavors for a satisfying dining experience.  

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Uncategorized

Hatch Green Chile: a local staple

Hatch green chiles are one of the most beloved crops in New Mexico, adored by people all across the country. In fact, they are so prized that they even have a festival celebrated in their honor, the Hatch Chile Festival, gathering around 30,000 people each year!

But what are they, and what really makes them so special?

Hatch chiles are long, fleshy, and green. They come in three levels of heat: mild, medium, and hot. They are typically roasted and are traditionally grown and harvested from, surprise surprise…the Hatch Valley!

Although other farms outside of Hatch do produce chiles that they incorrectly refer to as ‘hatch chiles’, nothing compares to the original crop in Hatch Valley because of the soil and growing conditions of the valley that are said to influence the flavor.

They have a very short season, limited to only two months – August and September. However, despite this slim availability margin, there is nothing to fear, because the roasted chiles can be easily frozen and preserved for future use.

Of course, what makes them adored above all else is not the culture, the valley, the soil, or the sweet rush of limited time availability.  No, what really makes them so revered is their flavor. They taste earthier than most other chiles, a taste that gives the impression of constant freshness, with a buttery, smokey flavor that is not only delicious but also extremely versatile.

Hatch chile has made its way into just about every type of food imaginable, from traditional New Mexican foods like salsa and enchiladas to pizza, sushi, and desserts like ice cream, chocolate, or pie and wine.

We believe that the Hatch green chile that is grown and produced right here in New Mexico is a unique treasure, so we proudly incorporate it into our Signature dishes.

Hatch Green Chile is the star of the show in our Pasta New Mexico. Our executive chefs combine quality linguini with a special cream sauce, topped with lightly golden sautéed chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and provolone cheese.  Pair it with our D.H. Lescombes Heritage Series Pinot Gris, for a savory pairing that will bring a smile to your face.

You can also enjoy our local green chile in our fan-favorite dish, the Southwest Meatloaf, made with quality ground beef, drizzled with mango-chipotle glaze. Take dinner to the next level with our D.H. Lescombes 6*3*1 Malvasia-Riesling.

Taste the tradition!

Special Events

Thanksgiving Day | Thanksgiving Wine Pairing

Give Thanks this Holiday Season

In the past, we have typically celebrated with our annual Thanksgiving Buffet or our special plated Thanksgiving Dinner. This year, were are doing a special Family Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go.

Our guests across New Mexico have always supported and celebrated with us on these special days, and we are grateful for each one of you that has included us as part of your celebrations.

Thanksgiving Holiday Closure

We have decided to close our locations on Thanksgiving Day. This will allow our hard-working employees to enjoy the day with their families.

Now more than ever, our employees have continually shown up, worked hard, and dedicated themselves to the passion and excellence we strive for. Each and every day, the experience we are so proud to offer our guests is because of our employees.

We are grateful to each of our employees for the work they do. We are also grateful to all of our guests and wine club members for your support, understanding, and continued patronage.

3 Suggestions for Thanksgiving Wine Pairing

Our hope is that Thanksgiving 2021 will be happy, healthy, and memorable for each of you. Since we are closed this year, we are offering our suggestions for three wines for a Thanksgiving wine pairing experience we think you’ll love!

A lot of different variables go into what makes a perfect Thanksgiving wine pairing. For our picks, we chose three very different wines. Each one has strengths depending on what you’ll be serving. Also, keep in mind, personal preference also plays a role. When in doubt, drink what you like. But, also don’t be afraid to try something new.

1. D.H. Lescombes Heritage Series Chardonnay

This special wine is a result of many years of perfecting our farming, winemaking techniques, and oak implementation. We use our own highly aromatic Chardonnay grapes from New Mexico’s largest family-owned vineyard.

The flavor profile leans to a lightly creamy texture with notes of bread, almond, soft minerals, and oak. Because of the processes used to craft this wine, it is highly palatable and perfect with Thanksgiving holiday foods. Secondly, due to its palatable and food-friendly nature, it makes a good all-around pair.

2. D.H. Lescombes Limited Release Renaissance

Our Heritage Renaissance is continually one of our guest and employee favorites. Because this wine strikes a nice balance between velvety fruit and spiced tannins, it is a nice choice for Thanksgiving meals. Secondly, if your holiday meal consists of ham, this red wine creates a pair that can’t be beaten. Since it is a remarkably food-friendly wine, it’ll also play nice with the rest of your holiday menu plans.

3. D.H. Lescombes Heritage Bellissimo

Talk about a perfect celebration wine! Our Bellissimo makes a perfect pair not only because it’s sweet and bubbly. In addition, Bellissimo is ideal because if you celebrate a New Mexico-style Thanksgiving, it makes a perfect accompaniment. What’s a “New Mexico-style Thanksgiving,” you ask? For starters, try red chile on your mashed potatoes. Or secondly, take it all the way and have tamales and enchiladas!

No matter if you are serving a “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner, or introducing a more regional tradition, Bellissimo will fit in very nicely.

In Conclusion

When it comes to wine pairing, it’s an art and a science. There are general guidelines for enjoying the best pairings. But, when it comes down to personal preferences, drink what you like. You can browse our online wine store to see what might fit your taste. No matter what wine and food you choose, we send our wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Blog, Uncategorized

4 Things to Love about our Frozen Wine Cocktails

Have you tried our frozen wine cocktails? You may have enjoyed our Frosé (part wine, part fruit, part slushy concoction) during the Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Deming wine festivals.

Now you can enjoy our new hand-crafted wine cocktails at D.H. Lescombes! Try our Frosé, New Mexico Sunrise, Five Cherry Chill, or Pinot Smash while dining with us in Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Las Cruces, or Deming.

Here are four things you’ll love about our frozen wine cocktails.

1. Handcrafted Fresh

We believe everyone is as unique as the drink they choose to sip. We carefully handcraft and immediately serve each frozen wine cocktail. It’s a perfectly frosty, frozen treat every time!

2. Quality Ingredients

We proudly use our award-winning wines, real fruit, and beautiful garnish in our Frozen Wine Cocktails. For example:

Try a Frosé at D.H. Lescombes

Our beautiful Frosé is made with real strawberries, blended with our award-winning D.H. Lescombes Heritage Series Rosé. The fresh flavor profile of ruby-red grapefruit, tart raspberry, and strawberry will give you major tropical vibes.

Try a New Mexico Sunrise at D.H. Lescombes

The sweet and tangy New Mexican Sunrise is made with D.H. Lescombes 6•3•1 Malvasia-Riesling blended with St. Clair Bellissimo, real mango, with a touch of tajin and chamoy.

This colorful frozen wine drink will make you feel like you’re on vacation.

3. Pairings

Enjoy pairing these refreshing cocktails with some of our popular menu items!

Here are some of our favorite pairings
Our famous Bistro Burger paired with the delicious New Mexico Sunrise frozen wine cocktail.

NM Sunrise paired with our Bistro Burger. The sweet and tangy flavors will complement the rich, juicy burger.

Summer Berry Salad paired with our Frosé, a frozen Rosé wine cocktail

Frosé paired with our Summer Berry Salad. The fresh, fruit ingredients of the salad complement the flavors, aromas, and crispness of the frozen wine.

4. Most importantly, we love what our guests say about these refreshing wine-based cocktails!

“Frosé, you’re everything I never knew I needed.” – Jessica

“Refreshing and Classy.” – Margaret

“So good! We are never disappointed!” – Rebekkah

Go ahead and enjoy one today, because it’s impossible to be unhappy with one of these frozen treats in your hand!

Available at our Deming, Las Cruces, Alamogordo, and Albuquerque locations seasonally.

Uncategorized

Reopening June 15th

The Lescombes family would like to send a huge THANK YOU to our friends and neighbors for your support and patience as we’ve navigated through these unprecedented times.


The Governor recently announced that restaurants will be allowed to open starting on June 1st at 50% capacity. Although we are excited to get back to serving you, we are going to take some time to better
prepare for reopening while continuing to offer our curbside to-go options.


We will open our locations in Albuquerque and Las Cruces for dine-in services beginning June 15th. Our Santa Fe location, which is temporarily closed, will also reopen June 15th. Between now and then, we will be working diligently to ensure that we are able to serve each and every guest to the high standard that you’ve come to expect from us. As always, our top priority is the health and safety of our team and guests.


We are diligently working to ensure we have:

  • Easy options for how to browse our menu without sharing between guests.
  • A comprehensive plan for sanitization and cleanliness along with a training program for all staff.
  • A steady supply of necessary ingredients so we can offer a selection we can be proud of.
  • A supply of single-serve items to replace shareable condiments.
  • A supply of hand-sanitizer and surface/equipment sanitizer to maintain a high level of cleanliness.
  • Cashier sneeze barriers where recommended
  • Planning seating areas to ensure the minimum required distance between tables
  • A no-contact option for credit card payments
  • Any other requirements as noted in official COVID-19 safe practices

If you have any other considerations, feel free to let us know. We’d love to hear from you!


Thank you all again, it will be our pleasure to see our dining room full of smiling faces!


For the latest news on our opening, our sanitization policies, our menu options, our special offers, and our entertainment schedule, please like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Blog, News

Romantic Ideas for Valentine’s Day or Any Day

romantic ideas for valentine's day or anyday

Valentine’s Day is the ultimate day of the year to show your significant other just how special they are to you. Of course, it is not reserved only for Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas on how to make valentine’s day, date-night, anniversary, or any other day that much more romantic for you and your loved one.

If you’re just not the romantic type, or you just need some new ideas on how to impress and surprise your loved one. Here are some sure-fire ways to get their attention and leave them feeling loved and pampered for Valentine’s Day, anniversary, birthday, or any other day just because!

Romantic Idea #1. Play Cupid!

romantic valentine's day wine gift basket

Wine, chocolates, and exquisite treats are sure to make your sweetheart weak in the knees. We have just the perfect solution that is well-made and easy-to-order. You choose their favorite wine, and we’ll get it shipped to you, or straight to their door. Be sure to order before February 7th to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day.  Click here to order online or call our gift basket experts at 575-546-1179.

Romantic Idea #2.  Plan a Romantic Dinner Together!

romantic valentine's day dinner at D.H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro

Perhaps the most traditional and obvious way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is the romantic dinner for two. Sure, cooking for your loved one is the perfect way to show that you care, but allowing someone else to do the cooking gives you time to focus on each other. The cozy atmosphere, special Valentine’s Day four-course dinner, and glass of our vibrant Rosé or celebratory bubbly wines are sure to make it an unforgettable day for you and your Valentine. For details on the celebration, click here.

Of course, we offer the romantic-vibe and great food and service all year round with our wonderful appetizers, delicious entrees, delectably unique desserts, and local wine and craft beer.

Romantic Idea #3. Sweet Treats for your Sweetie!

D.H. Lescombes Imperial Kir Raspberry Sorbet Float

The best times can often be had to relax at home together. After all, it’s so easy to curl up together on the couch and watch a movie. Take the usual wine or dessert a step further by combining the two into a romantic treat that is as special as your significant other. This easy Imperial Kir Raspberry Sorbet Float recipe is sure to make the special day even sweeter, valentine’s day, or any day. Click here for step by step instructions.

Blog, In the Press, News

St. Clair To Adopt D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro Name

Owned and operated by Lescombes Family Vineyards, St. Clair Winery & Bistro will be adopting the name D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro. The transition will take place at all St. Clair branded locations across the state this spring.

As one of the most recognizable and popular wine brands in New Mexico today, St. Clair hasn’t always been that way.

“The original investors that opened St. Clair in Deming were unsuccessful, the winery closed its doors, and the timing just worked in our favor,” recounts Hervé Lescombes.  “I was in a position to purchase the winery in the early ’90s, and we moved in and picked up where the investors left off.”

Hervé had been producing wine for many years near Lordsburg after he and his wife, Danielle, emigrated from France in 1981 with their three children.

The family has owned and operated the winery ever since. New Mexicans happily sipped on the new St. Clair wine in addition to the family’s selection of existing Blue Teal wine.  Hervé’s sons, Florent and Emmanuel, soon joined in the business as winemaker and viticulturist, respectively. Growth was steady as the family made use of the larger winery facility. Hervé’s family label, D.H. Lescombes—standing for ‘Danielle & Hervé’—had been also added to their product line in 1991.

In 2005, the family opened their first restaurant in Albuquerque under the St. Clair name, and a new concept was born. Highlighting St. Clair wines paired with unique bistro dishes proved to be a winning combination. The family soon built upon their success and opened restaurants in Las Cruces and Farmington. In Santa Fe, they recently opened Hervé Wine Bar one block from the historic plaza. The family enthusiastically caters to their guests, offering a unique experience that melds wine, food, and a dose of family heritage.

What was once a small-town family business grew to be a New Mexico icon whose success story was owed to the ingenuity, hard work, and dedication of the Lescombes family. Spanning six-generations and three continents, the family legacy of winemaking is more alive than ever.

“We are moving in a direction that better tells the story of our heritage,” says President, Florent Lescombes of the adoption of the D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro name. “The grapes we grow, the guests we serve, and every step between is a part of who we are. We are proud to put our family name on it.”

The wine focus will shift to their D.H. Lescombes wines to include their Heritage Series, Limited Release, and new 6-3-1 Signature Series at company-owned locations. St. Clair wines will continue to be offered at retailers across the state and ingrained in the Lescombes family’s bright future. After all, their St. Clair Mimbres Red has grown to become the number one wine in the state, beating the likes of Kendall-Jackson, Mondavi, and Yellowtail.

“St. Clair will always be part of us,” said Florent, “While St. Clair will remain one of our brands, our locations will be centered around the family name, allowing us to connect on a more personal level with our guests. We want you to feel like you are dining with our family.”

Guests will be delighted to see new signage, menus, and additional details proudly displaying the Lescombes name.

“We are excited and proud that we have this opportunity,” says CEO, Brandon Young, “We’ve always loved telling the story of Hervé, his family’s migration to New Mexico, and the winemaking heritage of the Lescombes family. It makes sense that we allow the Lescombes name to shine through. We are true to our roots, we want our name to reflect that.”

Lescombes Family Vineyards is the premier vineyard and winery in the state of New Mexico. Since 1981, they have been leading the industry with an array of wines to include traditional, hand-crafted releases and highly-acclaimed, award-winning favorites. Their company-owned locations consist of Bistros in Albuquerque, and Las Cruces; Hervé Wine Bar in Santa Fe; and a tasting room in Deming. Their family-owned vineyard thrives just east of Lordsburg with 200 planted acres. The family’s mission is to passionately craft quality wine and food to be enjoyed with friends and family. You can read more about the family and their offerings at www.lescombeswinery.com.