New Mexico Wine Pairing Dinner
/The first M’tucci’s Pairing Dinner of 2024 will feature wines from New Mexico’s top wineries, including Sheehan, Gruet, Vara and Lescombes Family Vineyards. The 7-Course dinner will be on Thursday, March 21 at M’tucci’s Moderno.
Executive Chef Jorge Monterossa and Company Chef Shawn Cronin have been collaborating on the dishes and created the pairings.
“We knew when we wanted to do the first dinner of the year that we wanted to celebrate two things. A) Springtime, and B) the fact that New Mexico has an incredible wine game,” said Shawn.
“We went back and forth trying to figure out whose wine we wanted to feature and then decided we would celebrate with a couple of them. So Bobbie (Bar Manager at Moderno) pulled in enough wines to have a party with the whole city of Rio Rancho.”
“It's always fun when someone takes a sip of wine and yells out lobster, and then the whole room just start adding things on and you look down at your paper and boom, we have a menu.”
“Super excited for this one and as a sneak peek, we actually are featuring the first course this weekend at Moderno as an appetizer special,” he said.
I was at M’tucci’s Moderno yesterday when they were sampling the appetizer, a Crawfish Fritter with a spicy aioli. It was incredible. And you can order it this Weekend!
crawfish fritters with a smokey chipotle aioli and apple cole slaw
New Mexico Wines - Grape vines were first planted in New Mexico nearly 400 years ago. The birthplace of American wine in the heart of the high desert southwest. New Mexico is the unexpected wine country that continues the spirit of adventure steeped in wine culture.
Since 1629, the land surrounding the Rio Grande River has sustained vineyards and produced grapes for making exceptional wine. As one of the oldest documented industries in New Mexico, the production of wine is linked with our story, our culture, and our legacy.
Gruet - In 1983, the Gruet Family was traveling through the southwestern part of the US, and while in New Mexico met a group of European winemakers who had successfully planted vineyards in Engle, near the town of Truth or Consequences, 170 miles south of the city of Albuquerque. After hearing of vineyards planted there as early as the 1600s, and learning about the specific climate and soil conditions of the region, the Gruet Family knew they had found what they were looking for. In 1984, Gilbert Gruet – whose Champagne house (Gruet et Fils) has produced fine Champagnes in Bethon, France since 1952 – made the decision to plant an experimental vineyard in Engle, NM. The plantings were exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
Today Gruet is known for the high quality of their vintage and non- vintage sparkling wines and still wines. They produce the M’tucci’s Private Label Sparkling Wine and partner with our Catering Team for Sunday Brunch on the fourth Sunday of every month.
Sheehan - Sheehan Winery is committed to making high-quality, all natural, boutique wines in New Mexico. Their 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. Their 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.
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 the award-winning Lobo Vineyard Merlot and Chardonnay as well as Elyce Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chambourcin wines. Sheehan Winery also sources high quality grapes from small growers throughout the state.
Vara - They produce wines from Spanish grape varietals grown in Spain and various American vineyards including right here in New Mexico.
Under the direction of winemaking team, Bob and Louisa Lindquist, they acquire fruit from the highest quality growers of Spanish grape varieties in the U.S. The harvested fruit is brought to their New Mexico facility where the wines are made and aged in individual lots until Bob and Louisa assemble the final cuvees.
Vara winemakers and partners regularly travel to Spain and are committed to growing or locating the best fruit for their Spanish wines and cava.
Lescombes Family Vineyards - The Lescombes family has been crafting wine in New Mexico since their emigration from Burgundy, France in 1981. Their winery is located in the Mimbres Valley, just outside of Deming, New Mexico. Their traditions are preserved by Florent and Emmanuel Lescombes, who carry on their family’s six-generation history of winemaking. They produce more than 40 different wines under many labels, including Blue Teal, D.H. Lescombes, Soleil Mimosa, and St. Clair. With 200 acres of vineyards located in the high desert of the Pyramid Valley, just outside Lordsburg, New Mexico, they’ve found the ideal climate and soil to grow the best quality grapes.
“Just like New Mexico’s first vintners, our goal is to produce great wines and food for you to enjoy in the company of friends and family.”
In memory of our Founder, Jeff Spiegel, considering making a donation to one of his last projects, the M’tutoring Program. Any child of our more than 300 employees can receive free tutoring for reading, math and other subjects for free. Please help us support education.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Crawfish & Mascarpone Filling - Shrimp, Scallops, Capers, Fresh Tomatoes, Spinach, Lemon Cream Sauce, Lemon Zest, Pesto Breadcrumbs $27
24 oz. Porterhouse - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $43
Pan-Seared Barramundi - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Red Wine Braised Beef Cheeks - Black Truffle Gnocchi, Mushrooms, Red Onions, Kale, Parsley $27
Weekend Cocktail
Brazilian Chiller - Novo Fogo Cachaca, Passionfruit, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz. Ribeye - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $39
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29
Seafood Pasta - Red Argentinian Shrimp, Celery, Onion, Seafood Sauce, House Made Linguine $27
Special Appetizer - Crawfish Fritters, Smoked Chipotle Aioli, Apple Cole Slaw $11
Weekend Cocktail
Barrell of Passion - M’tucci’s Barrell Bourbon, Meletti Amaro, Liquid Alchemist Passionfruit, Fresh Lemon Juice
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Grilled Chicken Marsala - Herb Marinated Chicken Breasts, Charred Broccolini, Garlic mashed Potatoes, Mushroom Marsala Sauce $25
Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $35
24 oz. Porterhouse - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $42
Weekend Cocktail
Apple of My Eye - Whistlepig Piggyback 6-year old Bourbon, Fresh Lemon Juice, Orgeat, Apple bitters
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Mushroom Ravioli - Goat Cheese & Mushroom Filling - Roasted Button Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Tomato & Black Truffle Ragù, Red Pepper Flakes, Garnished with Fresh Herbs and Shaved Parmesan $23
Pan-Seared Barramundi - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula with Garlic, Seared Stem-on Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Weekend Cocktail
Iron Marauder - Bumbu Rum, Fernet Branca, Orange Juice, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters
Live Music for March
Special Performance for Two Nights Only!
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & Noon Sunday
3/10 Jacob Chavez
3/13 Kirk Matthews
3/17 TBD
3/20 Gilbert Uribe
3/24 TBD
3/27 Lani Nash
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
3/8 RJ Perez
3/14 Kirk Matthews
3/15 Cali Shaw
3/21 Oscar Butler
3/22 Alex Maryol
3/28 Shane Wallin
3/29 Grace Marks
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
3/8 Alex Maryol
3/14 Shane Wallin
3/15 TBA
3/21 RJ Perez
3/22 Javier Ortega
3/28 Eryn Bent
3/29 Gilbert Uribe
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
