“Animante’s membership club is unlike anything else in New Mexico. My husband and I are delighted to be part of this wonderful institution created by John Calvin.”
— Animante Member

Animante de Rondeña Membership

  • An Animante de Rondeña Membership includes the privileges of our 1629 Club Membership, offering access to two exclusive spaces within Casa Rondeña Winery.

    ·  2 bottles of delicious Casa Rondeña wine each month

    ·  Complimentary tasting for two each time you visit the Tasting Room

    ·  20% off additional purchases in the Tasting Room & winery gift shop

    ·   Advance purchases on New Release Wines

    ·  Exclusive invitations to “Member Only” events including: Parties, Musical Performances, Barrel Tastings, Dinners and Much More!

    · Access to the 1629 Club Estate House for tableside wine and dinner service during hours of operation

    Animante de Rondeña offers the Animante Bar and Moroccan Lounge, Grand Hall and Dining Area, the Courtyard of the Philosophers, Library/Tea Room, and Billiard Room. Members also enjoy use of a private conference room with stunning views overlooking the vineyard. Additionally, the Animante membership grants access to the Website Membership Portal for calendar of events, and Membership App for event registration and easy check-in.

    Animante is home to a diverse array of activities such as concerts, a speaker series, dance and music lessons, cooking and cigar events, the Animante Book Club, with more developing.

    Guest access can be arranged with staff, some events may incur fees in addition to annual membership dues.

  • Rondeña Sparkling Wine                           14 glass | 42 bottle

    This limited edition sparkling wine is full bodied, fruity and dry with elegant notes of pear, apple and dried fig


    2023 Viognier                                                14 glass | 34 bottle

    Though difficult to cultivate and vinify, when correctly done this Rhone varietal produces an irresistible exotic essence. Our latest vintage of this white wine features bright notes of citrus, banana and tropical fruit.  Off-dry and refreshing, pair it with a sunny day and a light fare.  


    2023 Shining River                                      14 glass | 34 bottle

    Off-dry, crisp and clean, this Chardonnay and Aromella blend has notes of ripe melon, honeysuckle and passion fruit.  


    2023 Serenade                                             13 glass | 34 bottle

    A long time Rondeña favorite.  Off dry. Mineral notes and apricot. 2.25% Residual Sugar


    2019 Meritage                                               16 glass | 46 bottle

    This Bordeaux blend has been a best seller for Casa Rondeña for over 25 years.  Old world in style. Drink with meats and fowl, or with a friend in the afternoon on the front porch.  French in style, uniquely New Mexican


    2020 Syrah                                                      16 glass | 52 bottle

    This opulent wine is full bodied and aged for twenty months in the finest French oak barrels.  Bright tannins and lush red fruit flavors, it is some of the most exquisite wine that New Mexican soil can yield. Pair with red meat or enjoy this wine for the sake of it.

    2018 Animante                                               14 glass | 44 bottle

    A deep, rich, tantalizing, robust and decadent port-style wine that pairs beautifully with rich desserts, such as chocolates.  We have a deep regard for Port wines and history surrounding them.  We bring you this extremely special and limited offering - which our winemaker, John Calvin, says is the best vintage crafted over the last generation - to complete any holiday celebration.  


    .

  • Annual Membership Dues for Animante de Rondeña are $2,500 plus tax.

    • Membership is for 12 continuous months from the date in your agreement.

    • Fees and in-house charges will be billed to a single account in the Primary Member’s name.

    • Memberships are non-transferable and cannot be suspended or frozen.

    • Membership automatically renews unless a 30-day written cancellation notice is submitted by the Primary Member.

    • Includes two adults residing at the same address.

    • Animante is a 21+ facility; occasional family-friendly events will be held at the 1629 Club.

    • Dress code in Animante requires men to wear slacks and collared shirts and sport coats after 5pm; elevated attire may be required for special events

  • Information coming soon

An Animante membership at Casa Rondeña Winery offers an exclusive opportunity to become part of a vibrant community that celebrates a shared love for art, music, history, architecture and wine.

Discover the benefits of an Animante de Rondeña membership below:

about our Courtyard of the philosophers

Our name ANIMANTE has as its root the word ANIMA, the Latin word for spirit or Soul. In creating this meditative cloistered space, my mission was to bring into focus the transcendental aspects of our lives, as we deal with endless social, political, and daily life of human business putting food on the table and nurturing our families. 

We must remember that after food, water, shelter and our children, we spend much] of our lives in search of our spiritual connections to each  other and to God. The ancient Philosophers, cast in bronze in the Courtyard of the Philosophers, were  the people responsible for the ideas that created our way of thinking about our social fabric, our ways of governance  , and our way of relating to God  and each other. They were the the founders of our mathematics and physics. To learn from them and to study their ideas, to transcend the differences we have, and remind us of our connections to each other that go far beyond the challenges and norm of everyday life.

The courtyard of the Philosophers is a place for meditation, contemplation learning, and enjoying the company of your friends and family in a safe and beautiful place. With its bubbling graceful fountain, and beautiful Sculptures, your spirit will rest easy here.

We are anticipating the placement of two new bronze sculptures this year; HYPATIA, perhaps the worlds first feminist from Western Anitiquity, circa 370 - 428 AD,  And MAIMONIDEZ, perhaps the greatest Jewish Philosopher of all time, who lived in Córdoba, Andalucia in the 11th Century. We hope to unveil them in late 2024.

John Calvin 

TESTIMONIALS

Animante is a special place with many things to do and enjoy!

“What a great time of year to be in New Mexico (chile roasting, balloon fiesta, fall colors) and most importantly being an Animante Member. It has been a long hot summer, but it was made more pleasant with all the activities that occurred at Animante, not to mention the building itself with state-of-the-art air conditioning! Thank you, John!  This past four and half months have seen a wide variety of activities. Events that would be hard to see outside of Animante such as Phantom of the Opera and Guillermo Figueroa – Music Director of the Santa Fe Symphony. Both were outstanding. Other events like cigar nights, spirit nights, and one of my favorites the themed cuisine nights.  Amazing international foods that we as Animante members got to enjoy right here in Albuquerque! A quick note on dinners, Daniel the Animante chef has delivered outstanding food throughout the summer that rivals top restaurants in the city. Well done to him!  Barbara has attended some of the teas in the Animante Library, which is beautifully decorated. It surpasses St James Team room both in value and quality! Barbara and I have made new friends this year at the club and participated in many activities (planned and unplanned). This is the reason for my letter…

Animante is more than just a dinner destination. It is a destination for meeting friends, making new ones, and enjoying the beautiful building that sits in a working vineyard. We have spent time at Animate just hanging in the bar with new friends or meeting them in the billiards room for an afternoon of pool and fun.  With Fall comes football, College and the NFL. What a great time to shoot pool, watch some football, and hang out with old and new friends. Maybe play a game of chess too! A new offering recently has been the philosophers club. This filled very quickly and shows the diversity of the happenings at Animante! With the weather cooling down, I look forward to sitting with Barbara and friends in the philosopher’s garden or the porch areas enjoying great wines, soaking up the surroundings of Animate, and the beautiful New Mexico Fall.”

 — Terry, Animante Member

Animante is a special place with many things to do and enjoy!

“What a great time of year to be in New Mexico (chile roasting, balloon fiesta, fall colors) and most importantly being an Animante Member. It has been a long hot summer, but it was made more pleasant with all the activities that occurred at Animante, not to mention the building itself with state-of-the-art air conditioning! Thank you, John!  This past four and half months have seen a wide variety of activities. Events that would be hard to see outside of Animante such as Phantom of the Opera and Guillermo Figueroa – Music Director of the Santa Fe Symphony. Both were outstanding. Other events like cigar nights, spirit nights, and one of my favorites the themed cuisine nights.  Amazing international foods that we as Animante members got to enjoy right here in Albuquerque! A quick note on dinners, Daniel the Animante chef has delivered outstanding food throughout the summer that rivals top restaurants in the city. Well done to him!  Barbara has attended some of the teas in the Animante Library, which is beautifully decorated. It surpasses St James Team room both in value and quality! Barbara and I have made new friends this year at the club and participated in many activities (planned and unplanned). This is the reason for my letter…

Animante is more than just a dinner destination. It is a destination for meeting friends, making new ones, and enjoying the beautiful building that sits in a working vineyard. We have spent time at Animate just hanging in the bar with new friends or meeting them in the billiards room for an afternoon of pool and fun.  With Fall comes football, College and the NFL. What a great time to shoot pool, watch some football, and hang out with old and new friends. Maybe play a game of chess too! A new offering recently has been the philosophers club. This filled very quickly and shows the diversity of the happenings at Animante! With the weather cooling down, I look forward to sitting with Barbara and friends in the philosopher’s garden or the porch areas enjoying great wines, soaking up the surroundings of Animate, and the beautiful New Mexico Fall.”

 — Terry, Animante Member

to all future and current members of animante.  

“I can only speak for myself, but I believe the main reason many of us join Animante is for the opportunity to share friendships and community. Animante is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and a nosh, and invite a stranger to sit for a chat. After all, we already share a passion for wine, and in the comfort of this place, let's continue by discussing music, food philosophy and culture in general. 

There are like-minded groups to join to enjoy a tour of the winery for a lesson in the nuances and subtleties of winemaking. I really enjoyed the winery tour, tasting, and tapas event led by John Calvin. We tasted wine at several levels of fermentation and aging, and the gourmet tapas prepared by Daniel Villatoro were exquisite. I was honored by the company of a sweet young couple in conversion over dinner. It was such a lovely evening. I also attended the green chile roast and picnic. Nothing embodies a more quintessential New Mexico autumn than a fire roasting Hatch green chilies, eating burgers, and drinking great wine with friends and neighbors. 

I joined the Philosophy Club led by Christian Isely. We've only met once so far, but with a touch of wine our conversation was lively and enjoyable. Theme nights in the restaurant highlighting the cuisines of different cultures, intimate live concerts of world music, yoga and mimosas with Lorna Stevens, elegant English Teas, and other events just add to the times we can meet new and old friends -all accompanied with tasty wine and relaxed comfort. 

I cannot and will not forget to talk about the staff at Casa Rondeña. I wouldn't have joined the club in the first place if it wasn't for the staff. I love feeling like the character Norm from the 80's classic TV sitcom "Cheers."  These young people know my name and always share some small talk (when they are not too busy) with me. The joy they bring to their job always sets the tone for my visit. I won't list their names for fear of leaving someone out, but they are all, I am proud to call, my friends.  I hope we all show them the same smile and respect they show us.

 — Ken, Animante Member

ANIMATING THE SOULS OF NEW MEXICANS

“New Mexico has always been a home for those willing to challenge the status quo for the greater good, for truth, and for beauty itself in all its forms.  Our long and cultured history in the United States has few rivals but now our state is even richer with the establishment of Animante at Casa Rondeña.  Animante derives from the Latin word for soul - animas.  John Calvin, the members of Animante, and staff, are creating a place where New Mexicans may animate their souls with the help of expert musical performances, philosophical discussions, and shared meals among friends at a place welcoming to all.

It is fitting that one of the wines served at Animante is titled 1629, a unique blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.  That was the year Franciscan missionary Friar García de Zúñiga planted the first vines for wine production in the United States; in courageous defiance of the Spanish Crown so that he could save souls.

Some believe there may be some divinity and purpose behind inspired wine and food, warm fires, sunny vineyards, soulful music, elegant architecture, and new friendships.  If that is your belief, then please consider joining Animante and lending the voice of your animated soul as we show once again that New Mexico is capable of contributing to the great human endeavor.”

 — Christian Isely, Animante Member