Baja California Wine

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Wine production in Mexico began with the conquistadors in the 1500s when vines were brought over for planting from Spain, and grew with colonization and exportation to the Old World. But the success of this business, in light of the dwindling Spanish wine industry to the rise of the French, intimidated the Spanish King Philip II and he ordered all production in “New Spain” ceased.

However, religious sects rebelled against this ban, and continued to plant in small quantities. In the early 1700s, the Jesuits moved production from Coahuila (home to the oldest existing winery Casa Madero) and moved to Baja where priest Juan de Jugarte is credited for founding the Mision de Santo Tomas. The grape planted was Criolla (the Mission grape, same as Pais in Chile). Later, the Dominicans set up in Guadalupe to form La Mision de Nuestra Seniora de Guadalupe de Norte, now known by simply the Valle de Guadalupe, the heart of modern Mexican wine production.

In 1857 after Read more »

In 1857 after the War of Reform, the Catholics were stripped of their land and all holdings became property of the state. The Jesuit land was sold to a private investor, who founded the Bodegas Santo Tomas, Mexico’s first large scale winery.

In 1904, an influx of Russian Christian emigres, the Molokans (a.k.a. “Jumpers”) fled to Guadalupe to escape brutal persecution from the czar’s army. Because many of them had a farming background, they purchased land and dedicated a good portion of it to quality wine production. This inspired their neighbors and the area became known as a center of reputable viticulture.

The town of Ensenada, about 70 miles south of San Diego, is the focal point of Baja, which is divided into three regions:

*San Antonio de las Minas (which includes Guadalupe and Calafia)

*San Vincente Valley

*Santo Tomas Valley

The main grapes grown for reds in Baja are Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Grenache and Mission. White grapes are Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Palomino, Rieslin and Semillon.

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Popular wines made in Baja California under $20

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L. A. Cetto Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

Varietals Produced in Baja California View all

Nebbiolo

History of the grape: Two schools of thought exist as to the origins of Nebbiolo (which means “little fog” either for...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Zinfandel

Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...

Subregions of Baja California

Valle de Guadalupe

Mexico's premiere wine region, located just 30 minutes from Ensenada Baja California, about 70 mi...

Popular Wineries in Baja California View all

Monte Xanic

The Valle de Guadalupe is located 30 kilometers inland from Ensenada, on Mexico's Pacific Coast, ...
Casa de Piedra

This project was born with the desire to produce an excellent wine for the enjoyment of the group...
Château Camou

At Château Camou, we are striving day-in day-out to attain a single goal: creating great wines in...
Cavas Valmar

The story of CavasValmar starts when in 1919 arrives to Ensenada Don Federico Valentin, born in t...

People getting updates on Baja California Wines

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Baja California on Snooth

May 2013

L. A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2009

Snoothrank:

Pepper sweet flavors Read More

Wine review by TacTic
March 2013

Minotauro 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Elsee
February 2013

L.A. Cetto Private Reserve Nebbiolo 2006

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by menchum
January 2013

Mogor Badan Tinto Mexico Mogor Badan Tinto Ensenada

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by ebarroncor
December 2012

Vino de Piedra 2008

Snoothrank:

- Es 2004 Read More

Wine review by Carlos Padilla
December 2012

Ensamble Colina Ba I 2008

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by alanb1108
November 2012

L. A. Cetto Nebbiolo 2005

Snoothrank:

Frutal, deep. Good Mexican Nenbiolo for the price. Read More

Wine review by delpaso
November 2012

L. A. Cetto Nebbiolo Reserva Privada 2002

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by alanb1108
October 2012

L. A. Cetto Petite Sirah 2009

Snoothrank:

Smooth, fruity with a little tannic ending, good with pizza and mole. Read More

Wine review by edgardorosas
September 2012

Vinedos Malagon Equua Valle de Guadalupe Mexico Grenache Petite Sirah Grenache Mexico 2009

Snoothrank:

Not terribly dark in the glass--a lot of light is coming through. I want to support Mexican wine-making, but, unfortunately, this one is not terribly encouraging. It seems very unbalanced on the palate. In spite of the label's indication of a 13.3% ABV, it seems hot to me. Front of the palate fruit is overwhelmed by bitterness at the back of... Read More

Wine review by EMark
Jan 27, 2009

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