In the 1990s, Tru Miller and her husband Donald came to the Guadalupe Valley, Mexico, with a shared dream: to start a vineyard as part of their retirement. Tru’s journey is as compelling as her wines. Of Dutch origin, Geertruida Johanna Hoften Klein Lugtenbelt—better known as “Tru”—studied languages in Groningen, Paris, Madrid, and Oxford. At 22, she emigrated to New York to work for Pan American Airways, and later represented her home country, the Netherlands, as a translator during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Driven by her love for languages, she founded “Tru Lingua Language Systems Inc.” in California. However, her true passion remained—creating a vineyard and crafting exceptional wines. Her son Arlo inspired Tru to fulfill this dream in the Guadalupe Valley. More than 25 years later, Adobe Guadalupe wines are recognized worldwide. Tru Miller has pioneered Mexico’s burgeoning wine region, tirelessly promoting the land and its potential. Her dedication, passion, and heartfelt leadership have made her a respected figure and beloved guide in the wine community.
Media Inquiries trumiller@adobeguadalupe.com and info@adobeguadalupe.com | https://adobeguadalupe.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your winery brand?
Adobe Guadalupe’s story is woven with love and memory. My son Arlo, who was taken from us far too soon, was meant to be a part of a dream my husband, Donald Miller and I had. We envisioned creating a vineyard together and making wine, with Napa Valley in mind as our destination. But when tragedy struck and Arlo’s future with us was cut short, we put those plans on hold.
Years later, remembering Arlo’s deep affection for Mexico, Donald and I decided to explore the Baja California region, where we had heard whispers of promising vineyards. It was in 1997 that we chose to invest in a 60-acre estate in Valle de Guadalupe. We began building our home and planting our first vines.
Our journey began with planting Tempranillo and by the year 2000, we celebrated our first harvest. The rest, as they say, is history.
A special aspect of our wines is that they are named after the archangels, honoring my son Arlo, who was deeply devoted to the Lady of Guadalupe, and naming our wines in his memory felt like a fitting tribute. Our goal is for Adobe Guadalupe to be recognized worldwide as a brand that embodies hard work and profound love for our land and grapes.
For over 25 years, we have dedicated ourselves to crafting wines with the utmost care, quality, and above all, love, carrying forward the legacy of Arlo’s devotion and spirit.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained. Sky’s the limit!
One of my greatest dreams is for Adobe Guadalupe to be enjoyed in every Mexican home that appreciates fine wine and to see our wines on shelves in my home country, the Netherlands. While we’ve made efforts to introduce our wines there, the challenge has been that it hasn’t yet proven profitable for either us as producers or the importers. Ultimately, my vision is for Adobe Guadalupe to be recognized globally as a brand that embodies hard work and a deep, heartfelt dedication to our land and grapes.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
“Gabriel” is our celebrated Bordeaux-inspired blend, born from a journey around the world with Mr. Miller. In our quest to capture the essence of global red wine traditions, we crafted this exceptional blend to embody the classic Bordeaux style. Our winemaker’s expertise has resulted in a harmonious and rich composition that has quickly become our best-seller. Each sip of “Gabriel” reflects the meticulous care and passion behind its creation, offering a distinguished taste experience that’s truly exceptional. Stay tuned for this wine review, coming soon.
What is the One Thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I am a linguist with extensive experience in translation and interpretation across Spain, France and the U.S., including multiple assignments for the Olympic Games. Additionally, I served as a stewardess for Pan American Airlines, where I further honed my skills in cross-cultural communication and service.