Blog: Chavez Brothers Vineyard 

     In September of 2011, while on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, somewhere between Pontevedra and Caldas Reis, Freddie met Don Pedro Roberto Carlos de Jesus. He struck up a conversation and asked Don Pedro about the vineyard behind him. He explained that he was the owner of the boundless acreage of grapes behind him. He then asked Freddie, “bebes vino” (do you drink wine). Freddie replied, “pero, porsupuesto”(but of course). Soon a glass of Albarino wine led to a glass of Tempranillo, which led to a number of other glasses of wine. While sitting on the wall overlooking his vineyard, sharing the fruits of his labor, Freddie knew at that moment he wanted to have a vineyard and make wines to share with others.

     Three years later in 2014, Chavez Brothers Vineyard, Inc. was formed and we are living the Dream. Soon Freddie was making wine of his own and sharing it with others. Our winery application started in July 2020, in the middle of a Pandemic. The application process from the federal, to state, to the city level ended in March 2021 when we became a licensed New Mexico winery. We would not be deterred. Life is Grand! La vidaes Grandiosa!

The Vineyard

     Chavez Brothers Vineyard, Inc. is owned and operated by Freddie Chavez and brother, Will Chavez. The vineyard was purchased in 2014 after the brothers had traveled to Spain and Portugal exploring possible vineyard opportunities. They decided to buy a New Mexico vineyard after finding that New Mexico started its grape growing and wine industry around 1629 in the Socorro area. The Chavez Brothers vineyard is located in Socorro County, in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, about 8 miles south of Belen, NM. The grape vines are Vinas Viejas; old vines that are well over 25 years old and produce high quality, delicious, fruitful grapes for wine, juice, jellies and personal consumption. We prefer to make wine with the grapes.
The Winery

     Their Winery was formed in 2020 in the midst of the Pandemic. It is located in Historic Belen, NM, a city founded in 1740. Belen is Spanish for Bethlehem. It is also known as "The Hub City" because the city is geographically near the center of New Mexico and has been a significant transportation hub for central New Mexico; includingrailroads, Interstate 25 highway, and Valencia County's only public airport.Belen is at the southern end of the Albuquerque Statistical Metro area. The city is located 35 miles south of Albuquerque.

     The winery is located at 210-B South Main Street in Belen, NM. To get to the winery from Albuquerque, get on I-25 and head south for 35 miles and take exit 195 (I-25 Business loop) into Belen. Keep to your right and follow the road around to Main Street. Continue on Main Street two blocks south of the traffic light at Reinken. We are located on the east side of the street in the Trembly Building.

    To get to the winery from the south, head north on I-25, take exit 195 (I-25 Business loop) into Belen, and head north on Main Street about 1 mil; we are located on the right just past the Pizza Hut.

Regards,

Fred Chavez