Show 343, October 5, 2019: Gruet’s Winery’s 30th Anniversary with Assistant Winemaker Sofian Himeur Part One

Sofian Himeur of Gruet WineryAlbuquerque’s Gruet Winery celebrated a landmark anniversary in September, the 30th release year for Gruet sparkling wines. The Gruet family’s “coming to America” tale is quite remarkable; they embodied the ultimate start-up, finding success from true grit and determination, first as Champagne producers in France and now as one of the fastest growing sparkling wine houses in the US.

Winemaker Laurent Gruet released the first two sparkling wines 30 years ago and is still creating the Champagne method sparkling wines he learned from his father Gilbert Gruet, back in France. Today, third generation winemaker Sofian Himeur serves as Laurent’s assistant winemaker.

“For me, winemaking is practically genetic. My earliest memories of wine were of being alongside my father, Gilbert Gruet, at Gruet et Fils winery in Bethon,” says winemaker Laurent Gruet. “Like me, Sofian basically grew up in the winery – only for him it was in Albuquerque! 30 years after our first release, we continue to delight wine drinkers all over the world. I love seeing the surprise on people’s faces when they learn this wine is made in New Mexico, not Champagne.”

Sofian pops the cork for us…

Show 343, October 5, 2019: Gruet’s Winery’s 30th Anniversary with Assistant Winemaker Sofian Himeur Part Two

Sofian Himeur of Gruet WineryProducing outstanding, award-winning American sparkling wines that adhere to strict Methode Champenoise guidelines, Gruet Winery was founded on the vision and passion of French winemaker and patriarch Gilbert Gruet, making sparkling wine in the U.S. that most resembles French champagne. This esteemed American sparkling wine producer currently makes approximately 275,000 cases annually, including 15 sparkling wines that retail from $15 to $46.

For the 30th Anniversary of Gruet Winery’s first sparkling wine release winemaker Laurent Gruet (with the able assistance of Sofian) created two special limited- edition sparkling wines. They are a Barrel Aged Brut (75 per cent Chardonnay and 25 per cent Pinot Noir) aged in oak for 6 months and a Sparkling Pinot Meunier (using hand-harvested grapes from the Tamaya Vineyard in partnership with the Santa Ana Pueblo.).

Gruet wines are sold in 49 states, Asia and the Caribbean and can be found in the country’s finest restaurants, retail outlets, online and through its destination tasting room and winery located at 8400 Pan American Freeway NE, Albuquerque, NM and its tasting room in the historic Hotel St. Francis in Santa Fe. The Gruet family’s passion for winemaking over the past 30 years has given people around the world a quality, luxury product at a great value.