Rika M.
Yelp
In my honest and frank opinion, based on the experience I had at this winery on May 27, 2025, Casa Rodena deserves a perfect 5-star review. With that said, its current status of 4.2 stars on Yelp is a bit surprising. Whatever happened to those who couldn't experience what I experienced, too bad! Since I truly want this place to be rated fairly, here is my say.
Being at Casa Rodena, you feel like you are at a beautiful vineyard in Tuscany. I only know Tuscany in photos so hopefully I am saying this right. The winery is a boutique style in a very picturesque area called North Valley. Easy access from the centralized locations such as Old Town Albuquerque.
Like a good Yelper does, I started taking photos of its exterior from the vines to the buildings to the winery sign etc. I simply couldn't help it. While I was engrossed in it, a man who appeared to be in his 70's approached me and asked if I wanted to be in the photo at the tiled winery signage. I, without a hesitation said my cheerful yes with a question, "Do you work here?" to which he replied, "I own this winery." Mr. John Calvin, the man behind this beautiful winery happened to pass me by where he noticed me while I was furiously taking photos. After a nice handshake, he asked me where I was in town from. When I told him I was visiting from Denver for some leisure/business trip, he couldn't help elaborating his time in the Mile High city when he was younger. He was, after all, no stranger to me. It was pleasure meeting him.
The wine tasting room is open everyday from 12pm to 7pm. No reservations are required. As of late May in 2025, the tasting for four varietals (red or white picked by them or that's all they have; not sure which) is $15.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by a friendly/welcoming female staff at the bar. She promptly asked me what I wanted (meaning red or white.) As soon as I told her I wanted the red, she (without any pause) started pouring the three reds she had. The fourth one was my choice of pick so I went with the Rose type one. Here is the lineup of my sample wines:
1) Meritage (2021) Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
2) 1629 (2022) Blend of spicy Tempranillo with heavy and bold Syrah
3) Syra (2020)
4) Rose (2024) Merlot Rose
Once paid, I walked through the building towards the courtyard as I kept hearing some live music.
As much as I enjoyed the inside where the ambiance was quite inviting and spacious, many were out in the courtyard on the greenest grass listening to the live performance by a man with a guitar. The volume of the music was just right where it was soothing to our ears. This place is not just for adults; it's also family friendly where you can comfortably visit it with your kids (some were with their kiddos where the young ones were running around on the softest and greenest grass they could find in the entire state.)
I tremendously enjoyed all four wines. They were equally good where I simply couldn't pick my number one, so I rate them all the best. New Mexico's dry and hot climate is perfect for creating the quality wines. In that sense, although we do have a very cute wine country in Colorado (Palisade), I felt that the wines produced in NM are next level compared to what our state produces. If this little Tuscany is only 6.5 hours of drive from Denver, then I can easily go down here to do a little wine getaway utilizing a weekend. I shall return.