Owned and operated by Lescombes Family Vineyards, St. Clair Winery & Bistro will be adopting the name D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro. The transition will take place at all St. Clair branded locations across the state this spring.
As one of the most recognizable and popular wine brands in New Mexico today, St. Clair hasn’t always been that way. “The original investors that opened St. Clair in Deming were unsuccessful, the winery closed its doors, and the timing just worked in our favor,” recounts Hervé Lescombes. “I was in a position to purchase the winery in the early ’90s, and we moved in and picked up where the investors left oΟ.”
Hervé had been producing wine for many years near Lordsburg after he and his wife, Danielle, emigrated from France in 1981 with their three children. The family has owned and operated the winery ever since. New Mexicans happily sipped on the new St. Clair wine in addition to the family’s selection of existing Blue Teal wine. Hervé’s sons, Florent and Emmanuel, soon joined in the business as winemaker and viticulturist, respectively. Growth was steady as the family made use of the larger winery facility. Hervé’s family label, D.H. Lescombes—standing for ‘Danielle & Hervé’—had been also added to their product line in 1991.
In 2005, the family opened their first restaurant in Albuquerque under the St. Clair name, and a new concept was born. Highlighting St. Clair wines paired with unique bistro dishes proved to be a winning combination. The family soon built upon their success and opened restaurants in Las Cruces and Farmington. In Santa Fe, they recently opened Hervé Wine Bar one block from the historic plaza. The family enthusiastically caters to their guests, offering a unique experience that melds wine, food, and a dose of family heritage.
“We are moving in a direction that better tells the story of our heritage,” says President, Florent Lescombes of the adoption of the D.H. Lescombes Winery & Bistro name. “The grapes we grow, the guests we serve, and every step between is a part of who we are. We are proud to put our family name on it.”
“St. Clair will always be part of us,” said Florent, “While St. Clair will remain one of our brands, our locations will be centered around the family name, allowing us to connect on a more personal level with our guests. We want you to feel like you are dining with our family.”
Their family-owned vineyard thrives just east of Lordsburg with 200 planted acres. The family’s mission is to passionately craft quality wine and food to be enjoyed with friends and family. You can read more about the family and their offerings at
www.lescombeswinery.com
.