Casa Rondena Winery is one of New Mexico's most architecturally distinguished wine estates, set at 733 Chavez Rd NW in Albuquerque's North Valley neighborhood, roughly 15 minutes by car from the downtown core. The winery complex is built in the Mission Revival style — red-tile rooflines, arched colonnades, a central courtyard with a fountain, and views over the surrounding bosque toward the Rio Grande — creating an environment that reads more closely to Spanish wine country than a typical American craft winery.
The estate produces wine from both estate-grown and regionally sourced New Mexico grapes. Varieties include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tempranillo, and several white and rosé programs, all produced under New Mexico's AVA designation. The state's wine-growing history predates California's by decades, a point Casa Rondena's tasting room staff regularly contextualizes for guests unfamiliar with the regional viticulture tradition.
Tastings are conducted in a dedicated tasting room overlooking the courtyard and vineyard, with fees running $15 to $25 per person for flights of four to six wines. Staff knowledge is thorough, covering both the winery's production methods and the broader New Mexico wine landscape. The retail section maintains a selection of current releases and library wines for purchase. Guests may bring outside food to the courtyard and terrace areas, which make the winery a popular picnic destination on weekend afternoons.
Monthly evening events — live jazz, flamenco, and acoustic folk concerts paired with wine and food — transform the courtyard and barrel room into an intimate performance setting. These events require separate ticket purchase, sell out well in advance, and represent a meaningfully different experience from the standard tasting visit. The winery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Good to know
- Hours
- Wed–Sun 10am–6pm (tastings); evening events monthly
- Signature
- New Mexico wine tastings in a stunning Mission-style winery; live music events
Location
733 Chavez Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
35.1518, -106.6756 View on map
Highlights
- Award-winning New Mexico winery in a Mission Revival estate with a courtyard fountain and bosque views near the Rio Grande
- Wine tastings featuring estate-grown Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and rotating white and rosé programs
- Monthly evening events — live jazz, flamenco, and acoustic concerts in the courtyard and barrel room
- Picnic-friendly courtyard and terrace; outside food permitted alongside winery purchases
- Knowledgeable tasting room staff covering both the winery and New Mexico's broader wine-growing tradition
Tips for visiting
- Book monthly evening events as far in advance as possible — performances sell out well before the date
- Tasting fees ($15–$25) are often partially credited toward wine purchases; confirm with staff on arrival
- The courtyard terrace is an excellent afternoon setting — outside food is welcome alongside winery tastings
- Wednesday and Thursday visits are the quietest for tasting room exploration without weekend crowd pressure
- A designated driver or rideshare is advisable — the North Valley location is not walkable from central Albuquerque
Frequently asked questions
Are reservations required for a standard wine tasting at Casa Rondena?
Reservations are not required for standard tasting room visits during open hours (Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm), though they may be advisable on busy weekend afternoons during peak season. Monthly evening events always require advance ticket purchase.
What types of wine does Casa Rondena produce?
Casa Rondena produces a range of red, white, and rosé wines using both estate-grown and sourced New Mexico grapes. Signature varieties include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Tempranillo, alongside several blended programs and seasonal releases.
How much does a wine tasting cost?
Tasting fees range from $15 to $25 per person for a flight of four to six wines. The fee is sometimes partially credited toward bottle purchases — guests should confirm the current policy with staff at the time of the visit.
What are the monthly evening events at Casa Rondena?
The winery hosts monthly evening events featuring live music — typically jazz, flamenco, or acoustic folk — paired with wine and food in the courtyard and barrel room. These events require separate ticket purchase and sell out in advance; checking the winery's calendar and booking early is strongly advisable.