Every vine has a story, and nearly four hundred years ago, New Mexico's wine journey began when the first Mission grapes were planted in 1629. Taste this rich legacy, the oldest in the United States, in Donna Blake Birchell's account of the turmoil and triumph that shaped today's burgeoning industry. Despite greedy Spanish monarchs, prim teetotalers and the one-hundred-year flood's gift of root rot and alkaline deposits, New Mexico winemakers continue to harvest the fruits of sun-soaked volcanic soils and clear skies, blending their family stories with the vines and traditions of the Old World. Raise a toast and join Birchell on the trail of New Mexico's enchanted wines as she explores the heritage of more than fifty wineries in four distinct wine-growing regions.

Donna Blake Birchell is a native New Mexican and wine enthusiast, whose passion for history developed at a young age. Birchell is a former librarian, a current board member of the Southeastern New Mexico Historical Society and the author of two books on New Mexico history. Gordon Steel is the owner of Rio Grande Vineyards and Winery as well as the winemaker. He is currently serving as President of the New Mexico Wine Growers Association.