The Mesopotamians are credited as being the first to produce wine in 6000 B.C.
American wine drinkers consume more wine on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year
Most red wines should be served at 62˚F-65˚F
Port should be served at 62˚F-65˚F
Over 10,000 varieties of wine grapes are grown around the world.
During prohibition, a product called the Grape Brick was sold to thousands of households in America. Attached to the brick of dried and pressed winegrape concentrate was a packet of yeast and a warning, “Do not add yeast or fermentation will result.”
Rosé wines are made from red grapes and get their “pinkish” color from the short time the juice is in contact with the red grape skins.
The pressure in a bottle of sparkling wine is about 90psi, about three times that in a car tire.
A tannin is a naturally occurring substance in grape skins, seeds and oak barrels…Tannins create the “drying out” feeling in your mouth. The greater you experience this the higher the tannins are in your wine.
Most white wines should be served at 53˚F-62˚F
Grapes are the most planted fruit on the planet.
In the middle ages wine was used as currency.
Personnel Bios
Bridget Perrault is the Director of New Mexico Wine Growers Association. As director, she oversees the management of the organization and spearheads projects designed to continue the success of the NMWGA. Bridget earned her Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies from New Mexico State University and is now pursuing her MBA in Marketing.
The Director serves at the discretion of the elected Board of Directors.
Amanda Horton is the Assistant Director for the NMWGA. She has an Associate in Marketing, a B.A. in History from the University of New Mexico. Amanda is currently working on a BA in English Literature. As the Assistant Director, Amanda, handles all Passport Program Prize mailings and questions. Amanda has been with the NMWGA for over a year, and was a major part of the Consumer Awareness Program.
The board is made up of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and 3 members at large.
The President of the NMWGA is Gordon Steel, owner of Rio Grande Winery. Gordon has a Bachelor's of Science with some Masters courses, as well as Enology/Viticulture training from UC Davis. Gordon also has 34 years experience as both enlisted and officer with the United States Air Force. Throughout his military experience, Gordon worked Quality Management, Human Resources, and Program Development. He was directly responsible for over 100 employees with indirect leadership for 1,500.
The Vice President, Paolo DíAndrea,owner of Luna Rossa Winery, comes from a heritage of four generations of wine growers. Paolo graduated from a College of Viticulture in Spilimbergo, Italy, with an expertise in grafting plants. This unique skill moved him to the U.S. with a company operating a 300 acre vineyard, the largest in New Mexico. Still managing the state's largest vineyard, Paolo also opened his own vineyard and winery and manages all three simultaneously. This combination has given Paolo 23 highly successful years experience leading very crucial enterprises in our industry.
The Secretary of NMWGA is Kelly Allen, an owner of Amaro Winery.
Lori Paulson, Treasurer for the NMWGA, has both her Bachelors and Masters of Business Administration from NMSU with over 8 years experience in compliance, operations, and finance. During graduate school, Lori met her husband, Brandon Young, who is the controller for Southwest Wines. They have a 5 year old son together, Jeremiah.
Relatively new to the wine industry, Lori joins NMWGA as Treasurer, from Southwest Wines, the state's largest winery.
Lori's motto is, "Have wine... Will travel". Her efforts have been focused on building relationships with region's wineries in hopes to bring greater national recognition to the areas wonderful wine. Lori believes that "Its a new day for NMWGA," and is excited for the organizations endless possibilities.
The three members at large are Dave Arnold, Jesse Padberg and Mark Matheson.
Jesse Padberg has over 13 years experience in the New Mexico wine industry, with 9 years as the owner of Vivac Winery in Dixon, NM. Jesse is currently enrolled in the UC Davis Winemaker Certification Program and is a 2nd level Executive Sommelier, pursuing his Master Sommelier Certification.
Dave Arnold is the founder of Wines of the San Juan. A winery located in very rural Blanco, New Mexico. Through Daveís perseverance and knowledge, Wines of the San Juan is a highly successful winery with a surprisingly high customer base considering both location and newness of the endeavor.
A classically trained enologist from the University of California at Davis, Mark Matheson has been a fixture in the New Mexico wine industry since 1987. He has made wine and consulted at numerous wineries in the Southwest. In 2007, Mark decided to open his own winery.
Mark's focus is on making delicious and drinkable wines, made from pure New Mexican grapes. He also moonlights as the head-brewer at Rio Rancho favorite, Turtle Mountain Brewing Company. Matheson was recently featured in Albuquerque the Magazine's HOT Issue as an up and coming vintner.