[14], Bodegas de Santo Tomás is Baja's oldest existing winery, founded in 1791 with true commercial production beginning in 1888. [7] Some grape varieties such as Semillon and Viognier do not do well with saline conditions and some Syrahs can taste salty. The success of the modern wine industry has spurred a tourism industry as well, though not as developed as in some other parts of Mexico. All but the northwesternmost corner of the state is classified as Warm Arid Desert on the Koppen Climate Classification scale; viticulture is made possible by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of California to the east. Monte Xanic holds a series of sunset concerts at its theatre located on its artificial lake. Though a bit warmer and drier, the region produces many of the same grapes as in California, US, producing varietals that originated in southern France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. [1] The main reason for this is that the climate tends to produce grapes with thick skins, which create more intense flavors and aromas. [3] Land prices have risen over the past 20 years from about US$7,000 per hectare to more than $100,000. Most vineyards here lie on a similar latitude to the deserts of the northern Sahara. It serves as the start and end point for the increasingly popular Ruta del Vino (the tourist-focused Baja California wine tasting trail), and also accommodates the headquarters of several local wineries and distributors. There is one winery in Ojos Negros, Bodegas San Rafael, owned by the Hussong family of the Hussong Cantina in Ensenada. It is a 2014 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, bought in a Soriana supermarket for 99 pesos (under $6 US inclusive of tax, so comparable to a … We have partnered Fernando Gaxiola of Baja Wine & Food to bring some exceptional family-owned wineries from the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California to the US. [6], While there is grape and wine production in the interior of Mexico, northern Baja seems to be better suited to the production of more and better wines. Fourteen more were added in the 1950s. [1][7] The success of Monte Xanic was among younger wine drinkers, who tend to be more proud of their Mexican heritage. We plan to use this money to help build, nourish and educate the less fortunate. To the west is the Pacific coast, and the climate is semi-dry and Mediterranean. Tourists coming to see and tastes the wines have led to the establishment of finer restaurants, and various types of lodging, from bed and breakfasts, inns and “luxury camping.”[3] These are particularly in demand during the annual harvest festivals in July and August, with includes street parties and culinary exhibitions and competitions along with wine tasting. Catholic missions were exempted, allowed … The early Spanish settlers arrived in Mexico (called Neuva Espana at that time) on its east coast, via the Atlantic and Caribbean, making their first settlements on the eastern side of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. Although the Valle de Guadalupe has the most prestige, wineries are looking into neighboring valleys with better water supplies, while other are looking into diversifying into other products such as olives. [4], The lack of water is a major limiting factor for the continued growth of grape growing in this area. [1] Drought conditions from 2010 to 2015 lowered levels in wells as much as nine meters. [3][15] The wineries major sellers are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Grenache Rose. [14] The winery has dramatically upgraded its wines, most recently under Laura Zamora, Mexico's only female wine maker. [13] The Monte Xanic winery is credited with the push towards premium wines, with its success prompting other wineries to bring in oenologists from Europe. [1] In the late 19th and very early 20th century, Russian Molokan refugees arrived to the Valle de Guadalupe and began growing grapes. Like southern California, June fogs slow the ripening of fruit, but harvests still begin in late July. [15], Other commercial wineries include Vinos Bibayoff (early 1970s), Casa Valmar (1983), San Antonio (1986), Mogor-Badan (1987), Chateau Camou (1991), Vina de Liceaga (1993), Casa de Piedra (1997) Adobe Guadalupe (2001), Rincon de Guadalupe (2001) and Vinisterra (2002). The company makes a number of products in addition to wine. are more favored, but about all varietals are grown here except those which absolutely need cooler temperatures. [1], True commercial wine operations did not begin until the 1970s. Really the case, Mexico 's only female wine maker Domecq was founded by immigrants... 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