In the 1800s, growing grapes led to New Mexico becoming the fifth largest wine producing state in America with over a million gallons of wine per year.
he state Legislature created the New Mexico Vineyard Restoration Fund to provide rootstock for the production of wine by New Mexico wineries.The fund will provide $950,000 to New Mexico wineries and vineyards for the reimbursement of purchased rootstock or vines, to replace lost vines as a result of unavoidable event or to expand the planting of vines for the future growth and viability of the New Mexico wine and grape growers’ industry.