DATE: 10/08/2020
WRITER: Justin Bannister, jbannist@nmsu.edu
New Mexico State University and New Mexico-based Lescombes Winery announced the creation and launch of Pistol Pete’s Crimson Legacy, one of less than 10 collegiate-licensed wines in the country. The Cabernet Sauvignon will be available at all Lescombes locations beginning today, with additional, statewide distribution over the coming weeks.
“This is an exciting day for Aggie alumni and wine lovers alike,” said NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu. “For a long time, NMSU has had strong ties with our friends at Lescombes Winery. We’re proud to be able to work with them in the launch of this outstanding wine.”
The wine is described as a New Mexico Cabernet Sauvignon, with hints of red berries, ripe cherries, toast and oak that will pair well with traditional red wine dishes. Revenues generated from sales of Crimson Legacy will go to support the more than 400 student athletes who attend NMSU. The university was founded in 1888, so fittingly, the first run of Pistol Pete’s Crimson Legacy totals 1,888 bottles.
“New Mexico’s history with grapes and wine dates back more than 400 years, and NMSU’s connection with wine and viticulture dates back more than 100 years,” said Rebecca Lescombes, co-owner and chief financial officer of Lescombes Winery, and a third-generation Aggie graduate. “It only makes sense for us to work together on this project.”
The back of the Crimson Legacy wine bottle tells the story of New Mexico’s rich, interesting, and largely unknown history of wine making, which started in the 1600s with Spanish priests who needed sacramental wine. Because the wine was too heavy to transport, they instead planted grapevines along New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley – decades before wine came to California.
“Being able to take New Mexico grapes and turn them into New Mexico wine has a large, positive impact on our overall economy,” said NMSU President John Floros. “Our state benefits from these kinds of value-added projects.”
In 2017, NMSU worked with New Mexico-based Bosque Brewing Company to create and launch Pistol Pete’s 1888 Ale. Since its debut, the beer has grown in popularity and is now available at more than 300 locations in 70 cities and towns across New Mexico. 1888 Ale has also won a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival. Additionally, the beer’s packaging, designed by NMSU graphic designer Randle Dominguez, won a gold MarCom award. Dominguez also created the bottle design for Crimson Legacy.
