After a visit to New Mexico in 1983 and meeting with a group of European vinters who had successfully planted vineyards there, Natalie and Laurent Gruet planted an experimental vineyard of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Engle, New Mexico about 10 miles from Truth or Consequences.
[3] Sofian Himeur, the grandson of Gilbert Gruet, briefly served as assistant winemaker[4] before leaving to work at Iron Horse, and then VARA Winery & Distillery.
Initially, the production was marketed to restaurants, including to sommeliers in New York, where it became a favorite.
Bon Appétit called it as "crisp, dry, [and] elegant", and a "best bang for your buck".
The same year, it also won gold for its Brut Rose, and silver for its Blanc de Noirs and Blanc de Blancs at the Houston International Wine Competition and gold medals for its Sauvage and Brut Rose at the Sunset International Wine Competition.