Description:
Tularosa Vineyards at the historic village of Tularosa, New Mexico, is the areas premier vineyard, producing several varieties of award-winning wines that are sold throughout New Mexico.
The property is 10 acres total, with about 7 acres planted in grape vines. The winery building and grounds cover about 2 acres, and the remaining one-acre area could be used for parking or a residence.
The winery capacity is approximately 5,000 gallons. The winery has a crush pad with crusher, press, pumps and necessary equipment to process grapes to wine. It has semi-automatic bottling and labeling equipment. The property also includes a box van, several tractors, implements, barrel racks, etc. - everything you need to make and sell wine! Also included is a substantial inventory of bottled wine ready for wholesale or retail.
There is a large tasting and retail sales room adjacent to the winery. An outdoor covered deck and a tree-filled yard provide a good space for events. In fact, the very first Tularosa Basin Wine Festival was held here on the Tularosa Vineyards grounds.
Tularosa Vineyards production has grown steadily with a current capacity of 3,500 cases, and the winery is producing high quality, international award winning wines.
This is an excellent business opportunity for an energetic two or three person team looking to acquire a well-known winery business and build the business to the next level. It is also suitable for a 1031 tax-deferred exchange property.
OUR GRAPES
At Tularosa Vineyards, we source fruit for our wines from the diverse climates that abound in the Tularosa Basin. We grow Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, and Black Muscat (Mission) in our vineyards. We also buy grapes from other area farmers.
Some of the varieties grown in the Tularosa Basin include, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Shiraz/Syrah, Zinfandel, Grenache, Symphony, Gewurztraminer, Mission (original grapevine), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Pinot Noir.
HISTORY
New Mexico is the oldest winegrowing region in the United States. Franciscan fathers planted grapes in what was known as Senecu, New Mexico in the year 1629. When the village of Tularosa was founded in 1862, Spanish settlers brought Mission grapevine cuttings with them and irrigated them from acequias (irrigation ditches).
Tularosa Vineyards was founded in 1985 by local resident David Wickham. After doing research into the history of growing vinifera wine grapes in New Mexico, David realized that the Tularosa Basin was an ideal climate for growing high quality wine grapes.
Starting at the bottom of the Tularosa Basin, a majestic 4,500 feet above sea level to other vineyards located around 6,800 feet - this is probably one of the highest altitude vineyards in the world. Typical high temperatures in the growing season can be in the upper 90's and approaching 100 F. However, nighttime temperatures often drop dramatically into the upper 50's and lower 60's. This tremendous diurnal shift is what gives wine grapes bold flavors and good acid. Without the high altitude cooling influence the wines would be flat and insipid, and without the brilliant sunlight the wines would be unripe and extremely acidic.
After attending grape-growing and winemaking seminars held by the New Mexico Vine and Wine Society, David began planting his first vineyards. He opened the winery in December of 1989 with an initial production of 100 cases, and what started out as a hobby grew into a business venture. The winery began winning medals in New Mexico and southwestern wine competitions. In 1995 David's son Chris Wickham joined Tularosa Vineyards as the active winemaker.
New Mexico has been named on of the 5 US wine districts that could be the next Napa, and Tularosa Vineyards was named one of New Mexico's Producers to know!
