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18 WINES&VINES August 2016 WINE INDUSTRY NEWS B aja Peninsula, Mexico—About 30 of Baja California's 100-plus wineries re- cently joined together for the first time to host a group of trade and media from the United States. Mexico's wine capital is an hour and a half south of San Diego, Calif., in the valleys around Ensenada. It produces 90% of that country's wines. That's not a lot of wine, however. Baja wineries produce about 1.5 million cases of wine per year—more than 800,000 from L.A. Cetto, while Pedro Domecq makes 200,000 cases and San Tomás produces 125,000 cases. Only five wineries produce more than 20,000 cases, notes Gustavo Ortega Joaquin, owner of the new winery El Cielo, which has a high-end restaurant and is building a 54- room resort. The area has little more than 6,000 acres of vines, about the same as in Cali- fornia's Carneros AVA. Baja now has more than 100 wineries, up from 20 a decade ago. Most are quite small, typically making about 1,000 cases per year. Wines & Vines participated in the trip and visited some modern wineries, notably Monte Xanic (55,000 cases), El Cielo (16,000 cases), Las Nubes (10,000 cases) and Alximia (1,000-1,500 cases). The production areas were generally mod- ern, spotless and well-equipped with the latest winemaking equipment. The winemakers gener- ally had international experience, many having studied at the University of California, Davis, and other top winemaking schools. Napan Jac Cole is winemaker at Corona del Valle, while Gustavo González has his master's degree from Davis and was a red winemaker at Robert Mon- davi Winery for 15 years. Many Baja wineries do make varietal wines, but blends seem to be the signature wines of the region. These include traditional ones with Bordeaux or Rhône varieties, but also Sauvi- gnon Blanc and Chardonnay or Pinot Noir and Malbec. Some jump national borders, like Spanish Tempranillo and Italian Sangiovese or Nebbiolo. "The wines aren't tannic. They're a good match for Mexican food," said Pedro Pon- celis of D'Poncelis Winery. The trend meshes with the American craze for wine blends, but the amount of wine avail- able for exports is limited, and the Mexican market for wine is growing rapidly—especially in big cities and resorts. With Mexico charging 40% tax for wines, exports here (which avoid that tax) can be comparable in price to those sold in Mexico. The region's biggest limitation seems to be a lack of water that will hold down production, making it increasingly move upscale. —Paul Franson Baja Wine Region Reaches 100 Wineries, 1.5 Million Cases Located in Baja California, Monte Xanic produces 55,000 cases per year in this clean, modern winery. Corporate Office | Jackson, Wyoming 1.800.875.1558 www.barrelsunlimited.com | West Coast Cooperage Fresno, California They say a fine wine only gets better with age – and at Barrels Unlimited we make sure of it. Whether it's making a good wine great or a great wine legendary, our air-dried American oak casks and barrels infuse complexity and character into every batch. Available in 5,10, 15, 20, 30, 59, 70, and 80 gallon sizes. "Actually, I've aged quite a bit… on the inside." "Wow, you're exactly the same as I remember you!"