Lescombes Family Receives Grant to Promote Chile Wines, NM Jobs

(Deming, NM) – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development, visited St. Clair Winery in Deming on Thursday and announced a $50,000 grant to help expand production of the winery’s unique Hatch chile-infused wines and promote New Mexico’s agricultural industry.

Florent Lescombes, Vice President of St. Clair Winery, the family-owned company that produces Hatch Chile Wines, said that the popularity of the spicy wines along with the growth in the company’s full range of fine wine varieties has been a vital economic driver for Luna County and the State of New Mexico. “We use the best Hatch Valley red and green chile to make these wines, and bottle them here at our winery in Deming,” Lescombes said.

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant program, which helps agricultural producers like St. Clair Winery grow their businesses and support economic growth and development in rural communities.

St. Clair Winery is a division of Lescombes Family Vineyards, which offers wine under several labels, including DH Lescombes, St. Clair, Blue Teal Vineyards, and several specialty wines—including Hatch Chile Wines. Although all of the wine is produced in Deming, New Mexico, it’s also available in many New Mexico locations. Many of the wines are now sold nationally and are also available online at www.stclairwinery.com. You can also find out more about Hatch Chile Wines at www.hatchchilewines.com.