From: Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico
Varietal: Nebbiolo
Taste: This Nebbiolo showcases a light ruby hue with garnet reflections, a characteristic often seen in Nebbiolo wines despite their powerful nature. On the nose, it offers a captivating bouquet of red cherry, wild strawberry, and rose petals layered with hints of dried herbs, leather, and a subtle earthiness that adds depth. The palate is vibrant and complex, delivering flavors of tart red berries, cranberry, and savory spice. Fine-grained tannins provide structure, while the wine's bright acidity ensures a refreshing, long finish.
Pairing: For an authentic taste of Mexico, consider birria, whose bold spices and rich, slow-cooked meat complement the wine’s vibrant red fruit and savory notes. Chiles en Nogada, with its sweet and savory balance of poblano peppers, meat filling, and walnut cream sauce, perfectly complements the wine’s acidity and earthy undertones. Grilled carne asada, seasoned with lime and spices, matches the Nebbiolo’s structure and enhances its subtle smokiness. Braised short ribs pair wonderfully with the wine’s bright acidity for additional options, cutting through the dish's richness while balancing its depth. Herb-crusted pork tenderloin highlights the wine’s earthy and floral notes, while a hearty lentil and roasted vegetable stew complement its vibrant acidity and subtle earthiness. Even a simple Margherita pizza, with its fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, aligns beautifully with the wine’s tart red fruit and herbal complexity, making it an ideal choice for a casual pairing.
Birria de Res (Beef Birria)
Recipe from Josef Centeno, Adapted by Tejal Rao, NYT Cooking
About. Dominio De Las Abejas, located in the Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California, Mexico, is a relatively young winery that has garnered attention for its dedication to sustainable practices and exceptional wines that honor the land’s natural essence. Established in the early 2010s, this winery represents the next wave of Mexican winemaking, combining ancient traditions with modern techniques.
"Dominio De Las Abejas" translates to "Domain of the Bees," symbolizing the estate's commitment to preserving biodiversity and nurturing the ecosystem. Bees are vital pollinators, and their presence underscores the winery’s holistic and organic approach to viticulture. This philosophy is woven into the estate’s practices, from the vineyards to the cellar, emphasizing balance and respect for nature.
The winery was founded by a group of visionaries who shared a passion for wine and sustainability. While the primary founder remains relatively private about their identity, they have brought together a team of skilled professionals, including a celebrated winemaker, to ensure the quality of the wines reflects the unique terroir of Baja California. Mauricio Ruiz Cantú is one of the founders and head winemaker of Dominio de las Abejas, established in 2015. A Mexican-born vintner, Ruiz Cantú has an extensive international winemaking background, having worked in Australia, Chile, Spain, and China. He co-founded and served as a winemaker for the wineries Juguette and Somos in Australia. His expertise was recognized in 2020 when he was named one of Australia's Top 50 Young Wine Producers by the Young Gun of Wine competition.
Wine Notes: The 2023 Dominio de las Abejas Nebbiolo is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, specifically the Picotener clone (CVT 415), grown at an altitude of 690 meters in the Ojos Negros region of Baja California. The wine undergoes wild fermentation and is the product of sustainable vineyard practices under the guidance of viticulturist Ricardo Michel Mata. Enology is led by Mauricio Ruiz Cantú, ensuring a meticulous approach that emphasizes the wine's natural character. As the wine is neither clarified nor refined, natural sediment may be present at the bottom of the bottle, a hallmark of its minimal intervention philosophy.