Category Archives: News

2017 D.H. Lescombes Rosé Earns Silver in Rosé Competition in France

Each year, for the past 14 years, the Union des Enologues de France meets in Cannes for 3 days to blind taste and judge rosé wines coming from all over the world during the Le Mondial du Rosé®. Competition.

This year, there were approximately1300 entries, from 25 countries, including 776 French wines.

We entered our 2017 D.H. Lescombes Rosé Syrah and were excited to have been awarded a Silver Medal, the only medal awarded to a U.S. Winery.

“Our goal is exhibiting excellence, here is another example. This is great recognition for our team, putting New Mexico on the map. Hard work pays off! – Josh Gomez, Winery Operations Manager 

The wines were evaluated by 67 judges, from 18 countries.

The Judge’s Notes: With its beautiful raspberry color with coral fragments, this wine reveals an elegant nose of ripe red fruits like cherry and raspberry. With aeration, violet completes the aromatic palette. The flavors are in perfect harmony with the aroma. One finds the sweetness of raspberry and sour cherry, all supported by a citrus freshness on the finish. A fruity dessert rosé that will delight all connoisseurs.

Pictured from L to R: Florinco Luna -Cellar Associate, Jordan Cardenas -Cellar Associate,Raul Rosas -Cellar Master, Justin Lawrence- Lab tech,Melissa Porter- Winemaker, Memo Rivera- Cellar Associate,Roger Lopez -Cellar Associate, Joshua Gomez -Winery Operations Manager

“I’m extremely proud of our entire viticultural and winemaking team for their continued efforts to craft the highest quality New Mexico wine. This award shows that our wines can compete side-by-side  with the best wines in the world, and it’s a reflection of the amount of work our team puts in.” – Vice President, Florent Lescombes

“As I reflect on the years that have gone by,  one thing that has never left is the passion to create quality wine for the world to enjoy with friends and family while making memories. I can truly say hard work pays off. -Melissa Porter, Winemaker 

The new vintage Rosé will soon be available to the public at all St. Clair Winery locations.  

New Mexico State Fair and San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Results

We’re happy to share the news of our recent medals for our award-winning wines!

lescombes family makes award winning wines in new mexico

Our award-winning wines have consistently been ranked among the best in New Mexico. In 2017, we submitted some of our top wines to the New Mexico State Fair Wine Competition in Albuquerque, ranked as one of the top 10 best state fairs in the nation, as well as the 2018 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo wine tasting competition. Our wines brought home Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, and a BEST OF SHOW award.

We are committed to making high-quality wines in New Mexico, made exclusively with our New Mexico-grown grapes. Our visionary founder, Hervé Lescombes immigrated from France with wife Danielle and children in 1981. Hervé had operated a successful winery in France, but with a thirst for a new adventure, decided to pursue growing grapes in America’s desert southwest.

While crafting local wines in the Mimbres Valley in Deming, New Mexico, the Lescombes family legacy is preserved by Florent and Emmanuel Lescombes, sons of Hervé Lescombes who carry on the family’s six-generation history of winemaking.

“Our passion for making great wines is only surpassed by our desire for them to be shared in good times with family and friends.”-Florent Lescombes, Vice-President

Great wines begin at the vineyard. With 180 acres of vineyards located in the high desert of the Pyramid Valley, just outside Lordsburg, New Mexico, we’ve found the ideal climate and soil to grow the best quality grapes.  Viticulturist,  Emmanuel Lescombes, manages the operations of our vineyard, which yields 7-10 tons of grapes per acre on average.

Our team’s hard work, passion, and skill have paid off. Enjoy the fruits of our labor and check out our many medals and awards!

lescombes family vineyard is located near lordsburg just inside grant county

2017 New Mexico State Fair Wine Competition Awards
St. Clair Kiva won a Gold medal and BEST OF SHOW
2015 St. Clair Bellissimo won a Gold medal
2016 D.H. Lescombes Rosé won a Silver medal
2013 D.H. Lescombes Cabernet Sauvignon won a Silver medal
2015 D.H. Lescombes Chenin Blanc won a Silver medal
2014 St. Clair Malvasia Bianca won a Silver medal
St. Clair Port won a Silver medal
2015 D.H. Lescombes Pinot Noir won a Silver medal
2015 St. Clair Cabernet Sauvignon won a Bronze medal
2015 St. Clair Chardonnay won a Bronze medal

2018 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Wine Competition Awards
St. Clair Kiva won a Gold medal & TOP OF CLASS, Dessert category
2016 D.H. Lescombes Rosé won a Bronze medal
2016 D.H. Lescombes Chardonnay won a Bronze medal

Herve Lescombes master wine maker in New Mexico. His New Mexico wines have been on the shelf since 1984. He planted his first American vineyard in 1981 in New Mexico after immigrating from France.Interested in learning more about our family and our wines?

Vineyard and Winery Tours are available and include a tour of the vineyard, the winery, and the Lescombes home located at the vineyard, which has an underground wine cellar fully stocked with the best variety of vintage wines.

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.

Enjoy pairing these award-winning wines with delicious appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and entrées prepared by our master chefs at our Bistro restaurant locations in Albuquerque,  Alamogordo,  and Las Cruces.

Visit us at our D.H. Lescombes Winery & Tasting Room located at 7075 Hwy 549 SE in Deming, NM. Deming is located in Southwest New Mexico, a land of an ever-present sun, flowing desert landscape, and home of the largest winery in New Mexico. You can also buy our wines online at www.lescombeswinery.com/shop.

How many of this year’s award winners have you tried yourself?

Lescombes Family Vineyards & Winery Tour

Book a Lescombes Family Vineyards & Winery Tour and enhance your wine knowledge and appreciation of New Mexico wines as you learn about the Lescombes rich family heritage.  It’s an experience you will remember for years to come.

Your Lescombes Family Vineyards & Winery Tour will be off to a good start with a Mimosa Meet & Greet at:
D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro in Las Cruces at 8:30 a.m. or at D.H. Lescombes Winery Tasting Room in Deming at 10 a.m.

 
Sip on award-winning Soleil Mimosas accompanied by snacks.   Soleil is a French word meaning “Sun.” Our Soleil Mimosas are a blend of premium wine and fresh-squeezed fruit juice.  A juicy, refreshing wine cocktail that’s sure to tickle your taste buds with its subtle hints of white flowers and orange zest.

“I found that each flavor had a good mix of fruit and a crisp white wine flavor.” – Ashley Gill

Travel with us to our vineyard, located in the high desert of the Pyramid Valley,  located 47 miles west of Deming,  just outside Lordsburg, New Mexico, where we’ve found the ideal climate and soil to grow the best quality grapes.

Let us take you on a journey through 200 acres of wine grapevines. Get to know Viticulturist,  Emmanuel Lescombes, as he guides and educates you on grape planting, the life cycle of wine grapes, vineyard maintenance, the process of harvesting, and shares some of the rich Lescombes family history.

You may get to meet Founder and President Hervé Lescombes, who will invite you into his vineyard home to sip vintages selected from his personal underground cellar, connecting memorable wines to a memorable visit.

Feast your eyes on stunning art displays throughout the enchanting home, built by Hervé himself! Then gather around the table to enjoy a deliciously paired lunch, surrounded by your new-found friends in the home’s unique atmosphere.

“The best part of the tour was the genuine lunch with the winery owners” – Tour guest

After an exquisite lunch, travel to Deming for a tour of the winery, situated on 15 acres. Our knowledgeable guide will take you behind the scenes to learn more about the art of wine blending, fermentation, aging, and the bottling process.
Enjoy private tastings and an exclusive wine barrel tasting experience. Set your eyes upon New Mexico’s largest fermenting tanks. Our winery is composed of over 50 tanks, each up to 16,200 gallons in capacity.

Before ending your tour, rest and relax in the tasting room. Enjoy a tasting at our wine bar or purchase a bottle to take home. Our Tasting Room Specialists are available to answer any questions you may have about any of the over 40 different wines we produce. Stroll through our gift shop complete with gourmet snacks & unique gifts and indulge in a cheese nosh.

 No matter the season, there’s always something magical happening at the vineyard!

Winter– Beat the winter woes with good times! This time of year makes the vines look sturdy and tranquil. Even though the grapevines are dormant this time of year, there is still a lot of work that is getting done. While the vegetation is dormant, it’s time to cut away what is not useful from last year and establish the possibilities for this year. From a mass of branches per vine, the pruner’s choices have a crucial influence on quality, health, and yield.

Spring– The vineyard awakens to the sun and warmth of the season. You will appreciate the enchanting beauty of the budding process. Indulge your spring senses and discover delicious New Mexico wines while getting an up-close and personal view of the vines coming to life.

Summer– The vines are in full bloom. The buds are bursting, marking the beginning of seasonal growth. There’s a lot of vineyard maintenance happening, aimed at limiting yields and promoting good-quality fruit.

Fall – Experience firsthand the excitement of harvest. The season usually begins in late July and lasts through the end of September. The viticulturist and harvesters work around the clock to harvest the grapes at the right time, using our state of the art mechanical harvester.

“This is an amazing tour. I recommend it for anybody who wants to learn more about wines, meet incredible people and just have an amazing time” – Tour Guest

“I loved & enjoyed the tour. If you ever get the opportunity to come, it’s worth it. You’ll really enjoy it” – Tour Guest

“I liked the familiarity of the people who were involved in hosting the tour and the wines tasted great. It was all very good”-Tour Guest

We look forward to sharing great wines, our history, and wine industry insights with you!

Lescombes Family Vineyards & Winery Tours are Perfect for :

  • Corporate Team Building
  • Mommy’s Day Out
  • Bridal Parties
  • Ladies Day Out
  • Romantic Getaway
*Corporate, Private, and Group Tours Available by request
*Complimentary transportation is optional

Book your unforgettable experience or for a custom private tour, call us at 575-546-1179.

5 Christmas Wine Pairings

The right Christmas wine pairings can enhance a dish to perfection. While there are no hard and fast rules on matching food and wine because it’s ultimately a matter of personal taste, we’ve compiled 5 pairings that will enhance your Christmas dinner experience.

Ham is traditional for Christmas dinner. Try pairing it with St. Clair Riesling. The wine’s acidity will cut through the sweet, aromatic flavors of a honey glazed ham.
If you’re serving brisket or pot roast, you can’t go wrong with St Clair Cabernet Sauvignon. While the wine is moderate in tannins, the meat is high in protein and fat. Together they balance out perfectly.

 

Spicing it up? For tamales or any spicy dishes, we recommend DH Lescombes Petite Sirah. Its flavors of dark fruit, smoke, and toasted wood will compliment the many spices of chile dishes.    
Room for dessert? Try pairing butter cookies with St. Clair Chardonnay. The hints of vanilla and brown sugar flavors will bring out their butteriness.
                                                                                                                                               
Still not sure what to choose? A little spritz will liven up the dinner and dessert table. We recommend keeping sparkling wine on hand such as DH Lescombes Imperial Kir because it pairs well with a wide array of foods, including desserts.   Sparkling wines have higher acidity and lower sugar levels than table wines. These two extremes complement elements in almost any food.
Now that you’ve brought the perfect wines home, enjoy sitting around the table with family and friends sipping on good wine and savoring good food. 

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

                    
                                                                                                                                             

 

Cold Stabilization Process

Currently, our wines are going through the cold stabilization process. This process can take from 3 weeks to 3 to 5 months.  

Cold stabilization of wine is a method used to keep tartaric acid crystals from forming after the wine as been bottled. This process is referred to as cold stabilization because it is the act of cooling the wine that causes tartaric acid to form tartrate crystals, also known as wine crystals or wine diamonds.

If wines are not cold stabilized there is a chance that these crystals will form when consumers place bottles of wine in the refrigerator or store it for long periods of time. While the crystals are harmless it can be rather unsettling to find what looks like broken glass in your wine if you don’t know what it really is.

For The Love of Sweet Wine – Four sweet wines you’ll love

After a long, hot day it’s nice to sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine. For those who love sweet wine, there are a variety of different sweet wines that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Understanding what makes wines sweet, as well as the varieties that are most often sweeter than average, can help you decide which one is best for you.

Here are 4 popular sweet wine varietals that we think you’ll love.

Sweet Wine from New Mexico, Blue Teal Red Moscato

Moscato wine (sometimes spelled as Muscato), are wines made with a variety of grape from the Muscat family. The Muscat family of grapes includes over 200 grape varieties belonging to the Vitis vinifera species that have been used in wine production and as raisin and table grapes around the globe for many centuries. Their colors range from white, to yellow, to pink to near black. Muscat grapes and wines almost always have a pronounced sweet floral aroma. Who doesn’t love a chilled glass of refreshing sweet Moscato at the end of a long day?

Though Moscatos typically rule the dessert menu, Blue Teal Moscato is pretty versatile, and can even handle teaming up with spicy barbeque. Buy here

Red wThe wildly popular Mimbres Red is a sweet wine and the #1 selling wine made by the Lescombes family.ine is a type of wine made from dark-colored (black) grape varieties. Most of us enjoy a good drop of red. The fact that it can help stave off serious health issues is an added bonus. Red wines get their color from being fermented in contact with the skins of dark grapes. Because anything sweet can quickly become overwhelming to the digestive tract, sweeter wines are typically consumed on a full stomach or in conjunction with richer foods. On a healthy note, red wine contains antioxidants that may help prevent heart disease, as research suggests. If you’re looking for natural products to benefit your health, you may also want to consider looking into the claims of those who use products derived from the CBD flower to help relieve anxiety, depression, pain, and all manner of ailments.

Red wine typically pairs well with red meat. St. Clair Mimbres Red is perfect for casual get-togethers and sharing with friends who are new to drinking wine. It is also the #1 selling wine in New Mexico! Buy here

Riesling wines, not unlike most other white wines, are often consumed when young. Riesling is often a sweet wine, and St. Clair Riesling is no exception with it's sweet, tropical flavorIn winemaking, the delicate nature of the Riesling grape requires special handling during harvesting to avoid crushing or bruising the skin. Riesling is often put through a process of cold stabilization, where the wine is stored just above its freezing point. The wine is kept at this temperature until much of the tartaric acid has crystallized and precipitated out of the wine. This helps prevent crystallization of the acid (often called wine diamonds) in the bottle. After this, the wine is filtered again to remove any remaining yeast or impurities.

Riesling is a versatile wine for pairing with food, because of its balance of sugar and acidity. It can be paired with white fish or pork and is well known as a great pair for Asian cuisine. St. Clair Riesling is a great wine for summer refreshment. Buy here

Malvasia Bianca wines are characterized by their heavy body that is often Malvasia Bianca has grown to be one of the Lescombes family's top selling sweet wine varietals due to it's rich honeysuckle and light spice flavorsdescribed as “round” or “fat” and soft texture in the mouth. Most varieties of Malvasia are closely related to Malvasia Bianca. The red varieties of Malvasia tend to make wines with pale, pinkish to light red color. In their youth, Malvasia wines are characterized by their heavy body that is often described as “round” or “fat” and soft texture in the mouth. As Malvasia ages, the wines tend to take on more nutty aromas and flavors.

While very food-friendly, the drinking experience alone is worthwhile. Pair with BBQ, smoked salmon, smoked Gouda, blackened chicken, garlic, olives, feta, Greek food, and milk chocolate. St. Clair Malvasia Bianca is a sweet wine that is light and perfect for summer sipping. Buy here

Now you can walk into the wine aisle confidently and find your favorite sweet wines!

St. Clair Event Center Hosts “Yappy Hour” to Raise Money For Deming Animal Guardians

DEMING – Rain or shine, Deming Animal Guardians held another successful Yappy Hour fundraiser hosted by St. Clair Winery in Deming this past weekend. Rain didn’t end up being a problem since St. Clair Winery offered its indoor tasting and event center.

“There was a little indoor dancing, pledging and shopping and a little outdoor visiting and tasting happening. It worked out perfectly.” says event coordinator Debbie Troyer.

The event brought in just under $1,400 to help support DAG’s no-kill rescues and spay/neuter programs. Money was raised through pledges taken in a contest that bid Crystal Pena of HELP-NM against Will Jansen of Mimbres Hospital. Each competed for a $100 prize to be given to their charity of choice. Congratulations to the winner, Crystal Pena, for playing along in her kitty costume and raising funds for Luna County’s Early Childhood Coalition.

yappy hour in st clair winery event center in deming
Crystal Peña congratulated by Will Janson at Yappy Hour inside St. Clair Winery’s Special Event Center.

St. Clair Winery donated use of their spacious indoor special event center as well as $1 for every glass of wine/beer sold, vendors sold beautiful oil and acrylic paintings, hand cut stone jewelry, candles and engravings. Faces were decorated by Megan Lemcke, dancing was provided by EnJ Entertainment and everyone was entertained by the always fun MC Greg Morrow. Belle Pacheco gave away $200 GoodLife VIP gift cards.

“It’s not easy to bring these events together, but the support from our community and volunteers always amazes me. We have a great time at our fundraisers,” Troyer said.

DAG invites you to follow them on Facebook to keep up on all the upcoming and fun events. Next up, “Bowling for Fur-Balls” on August 12 at the Starmax Bowling Center, 333 N. Country Club Road. This will be a No-Tap Tournament for all ages. There will be a Blu-Ray DVD Player raffle, door prizes, music and handmade awards.

For more information, please contact DAG at 575-544-2209

4 wines that pair well with Spring

Spring Wines Spring has officially sprung and the sun is shining! That means the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping,  buds are budding, and rosé wines are flying off the shelves. Be prepared to enjoy some springtime fresh wines before the summer rolls in.

Have a bottle on hand that not only you love, but your guests will love as well,  something you can pour at a moment’s notice.

Here are 4 light, refreshing blush wines to kickoff Spring without breaking the bank. Try pairing them with the right kind of food and you’ll see how perfectly tuned they are to the flavors of spring.

St. Clair Mimbres Pink  St. Clair Mimbres Pink - Spring Wine

It’s a fun, fruity, and easy-drinking rosé wine. A perfumed nose of Moscato, strawberry, orange blossom, and pomegranate reflect the beautiful flavor profile of this mellow wine.

Pair it with salads, cheese nosh platters, simple picnic fare, spicy New Mexican cuisine, or zesty barbecue.

Buy Now $12.00

D.H. Lescombes Rosé                                                                      DH Lescombes Rosé - Spring Wine

Its fresh flavor profile of ruby-red grapefruit, tart raspberry, and strawberry is as light as a Spring breeze.

Pair it with light dishes and picnic fare for a memorable outing experience.

$15.00 Buy Now and have it shipped to your door!

Vinos de los Muertos Rest In Pink      VDM Rest In Pink - Spring Wine

A lovely wine with floral and fruit-forward flavor and aromatic Moscato character. Crafted as a celebration of life and reminder of our mortality,  lingering in remembrance.

Pair this wine with spicy cuisine, fruited salads, fresh fruit desserts, or with your favorite appetizers. Sure to bring life to your meal.

$11.00 Buy Now and have it shipped to your door!

Blue Teal Red Moscato                                                                                      

IBlue Teal Moscato - Spring Wine ts flavors of strawberry and light tropical fruit combined with honeysuckle and pomegranate create a unique and enticing character.

Pair with Asian cuisine, sweet/spicy barbecue, full-flavored or creamy cheeses, fruit-based desserts, and picnic fare for an enjoyable evening indoors or outdoors.

$10.00 Buy Now and have it shipped to your door!

Happy pouring and sipping this Spring!

Imperial Kir Raspberry Sorbet Float

Imperial Kir Raspberry Sorbet Float

Nothing says Valentine’s Day quite like the color pink! So, our rose-colored D.H. Lescombes Imperial Kir is a perfect companion for the holiday. Our Imperial Kir is a crisp, festive, semi-sweet wine with a (literally) bubbly character. Based on the ‘Kir Imperiale’, a raspberry-flavored drink first made popular in the late 1800s, we decided to put a soda shop twist on this old-world classic.

Inspired by a recipe by The Cookie Rookie, we added a few scoops of raspberry sorbet to create a delicious, sweet treat. Notes of citrus in the wine lend a bit of sophistication to an otherwise playful float. We like to top it with graham crackers and fresh raspberries, but feel free to try any other toppings that might strike your fancy (maybe some yogurt chips?). Perfect to enjoy on your own, or to split with a special someone this Valentine’s Day.

Imperial Kir Raspberry Sorbet Float

A playful and festive float with sophisticated flavors, perfect for romantic occasions, Valentine’s Day, girls night in, or anytime!

Ingredients

  • 2-3 scoops of raspberry sorbet
  • 1 cup Imperial Kir

Optional:

  • Crumbled graham crackers
  • Fresh raspberries

Directions

  1. Place scoops of sorbet into a large margarita glass.
  2. Pour Imperial Kir over the sorbet.
  3. Garnish with graham crackers and fresh raspberries.
  4. Sip, scoop and enjoy!

St. Clair and Community Come Together to Support Cancer Warriors

Photo courtesy: Daniel Gonzales/St. Clair Winery. Pictured are St. Clair Winery Staff led by Sales Manager Robert Duran, Tasting Room Manager Lora Robinson and Event Coordinator Naomi Morales presenting this year’s donation to the Cancer Support of Deming & Luna County, Patient Advocate Joanna Costilla and Board Member Don Hill
Photo courtesy: Daniel Gonzales/St. Clair Winery. Pictured are St. Clair Winery Staff led by Sales Manager Robert Duran, Tasting Room Manager Lora Robinson and Event Coordinator Naomi Morales presenting this year’s donation to the Cancer Support of Deming & Luna County, Patient Advocate Joanna Costilla and Board Member Don Hill

St. Clair Winery of Deming, NM, held their annual St. Clair Winefest the first weekend in October, with proceeds benefitting Deming & Luna County Cancer Support for the sixth year in a row. The local non-profit provides a variety of support to cancer patients in the community. They also provide outreach services for general education, early detection, screening programs, transportation assistance, and general cancer awareness.

This year’s Winefest donation was $5,433, which is over $2,000 more than last year’s donation. Major growth is attributed to the community support that has grown every year since its inception.

Each year since 2010, St. Clair has paired with the organization to donate some of the proceeds from their annual Winefest, which has become a destination for those looking to have a great time while also supporting a great cause. The largest portion of the fundraising stemmed from the Silent Auction, which is full of donated items from regional businesses, including St. Clair. The local winery also donates admission fees, pink ribbon sales, and vendor fees for the good of the cause.

“It’s amazing to see the support from all the local businesses that donate to the silent auction,” said Joanna Costilla, Patient Advocate from Deming & Luna County Cancer Support. “We’re extremely grateful to St. Clair for hosting this event and the generous amount of work they put into donating to help those in need. We’re also grateful to the community who continually supports the organization and our local cancer warriors.”

“It all went really well,” said St. Clair Tasting Room Manager, Lora Robinson. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and the turnout from the community was wonderful. We’re thankful for all the businesses and individuals who donated to the silent auction this year, it was a huge success. We can’t wait to do it again next year.”

Silent auction sponsors included: 1st New Mexico Bank, Allie Pelayo, Angel Nails, Black Hat Trading, Big-O-Tires, Bill Schnuk, Border Pest Control, Carol Smith, Car Quest, Cats, Circle S Western Emporium, Cliff & Terri Paulk, The Cookie Jar, Crafter’s Den, Dawn Lint, Deming Coke, Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, Deming Mattress, Diaz Farms, Dollar Tree, El Rey, First Federal Credit Union, Forghetaboutit, Foxworth Galbraith, Furniture Gallery, Gabe’s Fitness, Gene’s Equipment, Hofacket Law Firm, LLC, John Deer South Plains Implement, Karl’s Embroidery & Screen Printing, Kmart, La Fonda, Larry’s Music & Sound, Las Casuelas, The Lescombes Family, Mango Maddie’s, Marty & Will Willis, Mimbres Valley Feeds, Napa, The Patio, Pepper’s, Punkin Gose, Quality Inn, Rancher’s Grill, Samantha Crim, Shifflet Farms.

Deming & Luna County Cancer Support can be reached at (575) 546-4780