Congratulations to John Calvin,
named Best Vintner by the readers of
Albuquerque the Magazine!
Albuquerque the
Magazine, December 2011 & January 2012 issue
Since 1990, John Calvin has dedicated
himself to making New Mexico's best red wines. He has become a pioneer of
premium wine making in New Mexico, increasing the popularity and knowledge of
high desert wines, turning heads and winning medals at competitions from
California to New York. His Meritage
Red, a Bordeaux style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon,
has received 11 gold and double-gold medals over the last 3 years.
Mr. Calvin's white wines have gained significant respect as well.
His estate bottled Riesling blends have won Best of Show for the New
Mexico State Wine Competition for two consecutive years as well as his
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Founder’s Reserve. Everyday at Casa Rondeña
Winery, he continues to search for the best expression of the landscape and
what it can produce.
A native of the Rio Grande Valley, Mr. Calvin's passion for world
music led him to study the classical music of India and the Flamenco of
Southern Spain. It was there that he began to form the philosophy that wine, in
addition to music and architecture, is another way to experience the beauty
around us and to coax the diverse elements of nature and earth into a graceful
fabric. With this philosophy in mind, Mr. Calvin tends the vines and his wine
making with the same degree of respect and passion as his practices of music
and architecture. A lifelong student of these disciplines, it is Mr.
Calvin's fondest hope that Casa Rondeña Winery will continue to be a center of
gravity for culture in New Mexico that will include music, art, architecture,
wine and philanthropy.
The most important addition to the winery since its beginning in
1995 is Christina Viggiano, Mr. Calvin's wife, whom he married in 2004. Her
life in Italy and Italian heritage have brought a fresh passion, beauty and
grace to the winery that is reflected in the wines and the grounds alike.
