How it all began…

The story of Wines of the San Juan began in 1961 at a roller-skating rink in Phoenix, Arizona—where David Arnold first fell in love with Marcia Harris.

They married in 1965 and spent the next three decades raising five children while living a life few would dare attempt. From smoke jumping and horse training to trout farming and dairy cows, they even lived in a cave! The Arnold family built a life rooted in hard work, resilience, and a willingness to start over—again and again.

In 1999, they did it once more.

They purchased a rugged stretch of desert along the San Juan River in Turley, New Mexico—ringed in rusted barbed wire and trash but full of possibility. With no prior experience, they set out to build a vineyard from scratch.

A cowboy farmer became a vintner.

Together, the Arnold family learned how to coax life from parched soil under an unforgiving sun. Guided by grit, curiosity, and a deep respect for the land, they taught themselves the art of winemaking through trial and error, missteps and breakthroughs, failures and triumphs.

Two people clinking glasses with pink beverages inside a rustic wooden interior, smiling at each other.

Winemaking here was never easy.

Grapes had to survive extreme conditions—temperatures swinging from -18° in winter to over 100° in summer. It demanded patience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. But the family persevered.

And they succeeded.

Nearly two decades later, Wines of the San Juan stands as a thriving, multi-generational vineyard in the high desert of northern New Mexico. What began as a dream has grown into an internationally recognized winery—built on family, hard work, and a pioneering spirit that refuses to quit.

Far from the polished estates of Napa, Wines of the San Juan offers something different.

Here, hospitality is easy, time slows down, and the Old West still lingers in the air. Sandstone cliffs frame the winding San Juan River, cottonwoods sway in the breeze, and the rhythm of the land sets the pace.

Enjoy a glass of Girls are Meaner® or Sweet Jenner Rose on the porch swing. Sip award-winning Serendipity Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon as woodpeckers call and peacocks wander nearby.

At Wines of the San Juan, the Arnold family invites you to unplug, stay awhile, and experience the spirit of New Mexico—the Land of Enchantment.

Two older women wearing hats hugging on a rocky outdoor landscape with hills and sparse vegetation in the background.
Two elderly people, a woman with blonde hair and glasses, and a man with glasses and a cap, are smiling and standing close together outside under a wooden roof. They are holding bottled drinks and appear to be at a social gathering.
Two people standing under a sign that reads 'Wines of the San Juan' at an outdoor event, with white tents and trees in the background.