Baja Wines

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Comment by Adrian Flores on July 21, 2009 at 8:00pm

Whats up Hans ( K.K.) We had an awesome time last year at the festival ( that is the wife and I ) but sadly we cant go this year....have a good one....

Comment by Israel Zenteno on July 20, 2009 at 3:39pm

For info on the wine festival held from august 6th till the 23rd, check the web page www.fiestasdelavendimia.com

Comment by Hans Backhoff on July 20, 2009 at 3:20pm

Here is more:
http://www.bajawine.info/wineries.htm

Comment by Hans Backhoff on July 20, 2009 at 3:19pm

For more info on Baja's wines:
http://www.splashpros.com/
Watch the video

Comment by Hans Backhoff on July 13, 2009 at 2:56pm

The winegrowing area of Ensenada, Baja California is located between parallels 32 º 35 º and 31º 15º north latitude. The valleys run almost perpendiculary down to the Pacific Ocean and the constant sea breezes blowing through help to create the unique microlimates that predominate in the area and exercise such a strong influence on the quality of the grapes. Each of the four valleys in the surrounding area of Ensenada has distinctive characteristics.

The valley of Guadalupe. northeast of Ensenada, extends inland for 25 Km. (16 miles) from the Pacific Ocean, and contains a great variety of soil types. From the center of the riverbeds the soil is sandy and in some cases contains high levels of gravel and smooth pebbles. The valley is comprised of very fertile muddy-clayish earth. In the hills the soil is characterized by granite with a mixture of either red or brown clay. The soil in the hilly vineyards is a mosaic of color.


Destiny established Mexico as the first producer of wine in the Americas. Although a true wine culture was never really able to develop thanks to the prohibitions decreed by the Spanish crown in the sixteenth century and later conflicts that affected agricultural production in general, the cultivation of grapes did awaken a strong taste for distillates amongst the Mexican population. By the 1960s, the large winemaking enterprises that virtually controlled the local market also helped to popularize all grape-based products and set the stage for what was to happen next.

In the mid-1980s, some of the traditional wine producers as well as a handful of adventurous and somewhat idealistic individuals launched a series of ventures that have resulted in some truly spectacular wines, placing Mexico on the map of the world`s finest winemakers. Their succes was not only due to an enthusiasm and taste for fine wine, or the application of advaced winemaking techniques but also a result of good management, keen determination and a certain degree of madness.

“The Pioneer of Mexico’s Top Quality Winemaking”, Monte Xanic Estate, is located in the heart of Mexico’s Wine Country –the Guadalupe Valley in Baja California. With over 20 award winning vintages, Monte Xanic has become the benchmark for winemaking in Mexico.

Our History

Our first 20 years of history have served to confirm that the values upon which Monte Xanic was founded, were the right ones: to be pioneers both in process and technology, as well as to position ourselves in the Premium market; to proudly proclaim that we are Mexican, and to produce wines of a consistently high quality.
Monte Xanic founders had the common dream of building a world-class winery to produce premium quality Mexican wines. It was 1987, the border had just been opened to foreign wines, and a number of local wineries were closing down as a result of their inability to compete with modest quality wines that were being sold in a market that believed that all imports were superior. In spite of that, they dove full force into their project consolidating a brand that today is the benchmark of the Mexican Wine Industry.
As for the name: “Xanic” originates from the Cora Indians who continue to inhabit parts of Nayarit, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, and which means “flower which blooms after the first rain”.

Our Terroir

The Guadalupe Valley is located 30 kilometers inland from Ensenada, on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, 100 km south of the border with the United States. Consequently, its vineyards are the northernmost of Mexico’s and the distance from the ocean is between 15 and 20 kilometers. The vines are at altitudes between 300 and 400 meters above sea level. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides humid currents that result in a microclimate in the valley.
Today the Guadalupe Valley is Mexico’s most prestigious wine region, and home to 90% of the top wines of Mexico.
The character of this land defines the style of our wines; the bordelaise varietals express the terroir of this Valley with distinction and finesse. For this reason, the main varietals on our property are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. We also produce wines with varietals from other regions, such as Chenin Blanc, Syrah and Chardonnay.





The Banyan Tree at Monte Xanic - Hotel and Spa
For the design, construction and management of the hotel, Monte Xanic has joined forces with Banyan Tree, a leader in the development and management of luxury resorts world wide, whose business philosophy is to create a Sanctuary for the Senses.
Monte Xanic will soon become the first wine-tourism destination in the region. This hotel, first of its kind in Mexico, will be built on the hillside with spectacular views of our vineyards and the Valle de Guadalupe. The 42 luxury villas that will make up the Banyan Tree at Monte Xanic have been designed to perfectly integrate into the surroundings, respecting the environs and utilizing construction and operation techniques that will make it an example to follow for future sustainable tourism projects. Our guests will live a “wine experience” through all their senses. Through their sense of taste and smell they will enjoy world-class wines, gourmet dishes and our excellent regional cuisine. Through their sense of sight they will enjoy an extraordinary view of our vineyards and the valley. Through their senses of hearing and touch they will enjoy the sound of the breeze that flows through our property, and world class massages offered at our exclusive Banyan Tree Destination Spa, all part of the Banyan Tree at Monte Xanic experience. The Banyan Tree at Monte Xanic Resort & Spa is scheduled to open in 2010.
Monte Xanic: Iconic winery

As part of our new strategy, we have begun construction of a visionary project to modernize the winery. Mexican Architect Juan Garduño, who together with several other experts in sustainable architecture has achieved a design that fulfills Monte Xanic’s commitment with Mexico and the region’s natural resources and environment.
The result will be the integration of production processes that will guarantee the quality of the wine, as well as new areas for visitors. These new areas will allow visitors to experience the entire wine production process: beginning with the land and the vines, the picking of the grapes, the transforming of the grapes to wine, experiencing the changes in temperature, color and aroma, the aging of the wine in a spectacular underground barrel cellar, and ending with the final bottling process. The tour will utilize walkways and bridges designed specifically to allow the visitor to experience all stages of the production process without interfering in the controlled environment needed for the production of a fine wine. The tasting room will be built with glass panels that will allow for a perfect integration with the outdoors.
Among the most outstanding architectural elements of the winery will be a spectacular outdoor amphitheatre, with capacity for 1000 spectators, located in front of a small lake. This is where our cultural events will take place, particularly those related to our annual wine festival in august, and where we will be able to offer wine tastings, concerts and a number of other activities that will contribute to the “wine experience”. The new expansion will be ready by 2009.