Vara is an international family of Spanish and American wines and spirits celebrating the origin of the American wine experience thanks to the historical connection of Spain and New Mexico.
The history of wine in New Mexico is over 390 years old and is as rich and complicated as its colorful landscapes. The flavor of this ancient history plays out in the wines produced here from robust reds to crisp whites. Wine lovers will find Vara wines an enchanting experience.
In 1629, 140 years before the first Missions of California were established and planted, a Franciscan friar named García de Zúñiga and a Capuchín monk named Antonio de Arteaga planted the first European wine grapes in what is now the U.S. at a pueblo in the Rio Grande Valley of the Province of New Mexico.
Viticulture took hold in the valley, and by the year 1880 the New Mexico territory was the fifth largest wine producer in America. The cuttings brought to the new world by missionaries from Spain were of a Vitis Vinifera grape variety known as Listán Prieto, or the present-day Mission grape. This variety has been continuously grown and is still harvested in New Mexico today.
Sheehan Winery was founded in 2015 by Sean Sheehan, who learned the craft by serving for more than a decade as lead winemaker at some of New Mexico?s finest wineries. Our wines are made exclusively from New Mexico-grown grapes.
Sheehan Winery wines reflect the unique combination of sun, high altitude, dry climate and soil of the New Mexico climate. We invite you to enjoy them!
Sheehan Winery has vineyards in Corrales, Bosque Farms, and the South Valley of Albuquerque. The Corrales and Bosque Farms vineyards are well established and are the basis for our award-winning Lobo Vineyard Merlot and Chardonnay as well as our Elyce Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chambourcin wines. Sheehan Winery also sources high quality grapes from small growers throughout the state. Our wines are made exclusively from New Mexico-grown grapes.