Our Winery

What began as a love story at a roller skating rink in 1961 became one of New Mexico’s most remarkable wine journeys. When David Arnold met Marcia Harris, neither could have imagined that decades later they would plant roots, and vines, along the rugged banks of the San Juan River.

In 1999, with no formal training and no guarantee of success, the Arnold family purchased a windswept patch of desert in Turley, New Mexico. Surrounded by barbed wire and blazing sun, it was an unlikely place for a vineyard. But armed with resilience, faith, and an entrepreneurial spirit, they set out to do what many thought impossible: grow exceptional wine grapes in one of the most challenging climates in the country.

New Mexico’s extremes; from winter lows of -18 degrees to summer highs soaring past 100, tested every vine and every lesson learned. Through trial and error, setbacks and small victories, the Arnolds mastered the art and science of winemaking. What emerged from that unforgiving soil was more than wine; it was proof that determination can turn desert into abundance.

Today, Wines of the San Juan stands as a thriving, multi-generational vineyard known for award-winning wines and genuine Southwestern hospitality. Far from the polished estates of Napa, this is wine country with grit and heart framed by painted sandstone cliffs, cottonwood trees, and the quiet current of the San Juan River.

Here, guests are invited to slow down, sip thoughtfully crafted wines, and experience the spirit of the Land of Enchantment. It’s not just a winery, it’s a legacy poured into every glass.