Top Baja Wine Makers
In the Valle De Guadalupe
Baja California’s wine scene is thriving, and at its heart are the visionary winemakers who are redefining Mexican wine. From the sun-drenched valleys of Valle de Guadalupe to the artisanal producers in Ojos Negros, Baja’s winemakers blend Old World traditions with bold innovation. This guide introduces you to the region’s most influential wine creators—boutique vintners, family estates, and pioneers who are elevating Baja wines on the global stage. Whether you're a sommelier, a casual enthusiast, or a traveler exploring the Baja wine route, these winemakers offer unforgettable stories and world-class vintages.
There are so many wine makers in the Valle De Guadalupe, so this article in no way is meant to diminish the toil and effort put in by Baja's lesser known oenologists. Presented here are highlights for a few who have longer histories, have produced quality and are well known for being leaders and having an impact on Baja Wine.
The experience of visiting Baja's Valle de Guadalupe wineries is always an adventure of discovery and there is a lot to be said with having a 'fresh mind' with no pre-conceptions - taking in each winery as a totally new exploration. On the other hand, with so many wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe to choose from it might make sense to target a few that have earned their reputation and to perhaps, insure that your Winery Tour is going to be great. Here are some famous wine makers and where you can sample their creations:
Natalia Badán – Cavas del Mogor
History: Second-generation winemaker; family planted in the region since 1950
Current Focus: Runs Cavas del Mogor, blending tradition with modern techniques.
Flagship Wines: Arrebol rosé, French-style Malabar, and Mexico’s
first vin d’orange
Specialty: Releasing natural and fortified wines under vineyard’s pepper trees.
Natalia Badán is the owner and operator of Cavas del Mogor, a family-owned winery and organic farm in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico. Her parents established the property in the 1950s, and Natalia continues their legacy of sustainable and organic winemaking. Cavas del Mogor is known for its small-batch production, including a unique Chasselas del Mogor white wine and a Bordeaux varietal red wine.
Key aspects of Natalia Badán and Cavas del Mogor:
Family Legacy:
Natalia's parents, of Swiss-French heritage, were pioneers in the Valle de Guadalupe wine region, establishing their home and vineyard in the 1950s.
Sustainable & Organic Practices:
Cavas del Mogor is an organic winery, with a focus on sustainable practices in both winemaking and farming. Located here is one of the most extensive organic gardens in Baja.
Small-Batch Production:
The winery produces a limited quantity of wine, with only around 3,000 cases of their Bordeaux blend made each year.
Unique Wines:
Cavas del Mogor is known for its Chasselas del Mogor, a white wine made from a grape typically found in Switzerland.
Location:
The winery is located on a beautiful property, offering a tasting experience that includes a tour of the production floor and barrel cellar.
Stewardship of the Land:
Natalia is deeply connected to the land and is an advocate for sustainable development in the Valle de Guadalupe.
Hans Backhoff – Monte Xanic
History: Co-founded Mexico’s first boutique winery in 1987; pivotal in national wine resurgence
Now: Monte Xanic is Mexico’s third-largest winery, producing 50,000 cases/year
Iconic Wines: Award-winning Cabernet, Malbec, Chardonnay (250 + awards internationally)
Approach: Night harvests, low-yield pruning​
Backhoff was born in Ensenada, Baja California to a German father and Mexican mother. The area did have winemaking when he was young and he had some exposure to it. Backhoff's father had a farm called Los Alamitos in the Valle de Guadalupe, where they grew fruit trees. They went every Sunday to pick fruit and then sell it to support the family of five children.
He studied biochemical engineering at Monterrey Tech, graduating in 1971. Living in England for five years and with a scholarship from the Mexican government, he earned his doctorate in food science from the University of Nottingham.
He returned to Mexico after getting his doctorate, first teaching classes in wine, cheese and beer production at Guaymas campus of Monterrey Tech. He also worked for a time with various installations as technical director with Tropicana, focusing on the canning of fruit products.
This Mexican winemaker whose work in establishing the Monte Xanic winery helped to establish the wine industry in Baja California. Backoff passed away in 2017 but created a lasting legacy on Baja Wine. His wines were the first from Mexico to receive international recognition. Much of Monte Xanic's production is bought up by Mexico City and frankly, is getting a bit pricey - but rest assured- totally worth it.
Phil Gregory – Vena Cava
History: Built in 2005 atop architectural marvels by Alejandro D’Acosta
Current: Focus on organic methods and pét-nats in cast-off hull & glass bottle winery
Standout Wine: 2020 Ambar – skin-contact Chardonnay
Specialty: Eco-design; tasting under recycled boat hull.
Events: Featured in design & sustainability workshops.
Founded in 2005 as part of La Villa del Valle Group, Vena Cava is a project created by Eileen and Phil Gregory, who decided to share their passion with visitors and friends.
· Located in the heart of the Valle de Guadalupe, the winery is surrounded by an impressive mountainous landscape. In this wine region, soil is rich in minerals and climate conditions are ideal since mornings prevail warm in contrast to cool evenings that, coupled with the ocean breeze that protects the vineyard and favors the vines for perfect ripeness.
Vena Cava´s owner and winemaker Phil Gregory, outstands for creating high quality wines sourcing the best grapes from vineyards around different valleys of Ensenada, including his very own organic vineyard.
Daniel Lonnberg – Adobe Guadalupe
Chilean-trained, hired by Tru Miller to craft premium winery
Today: Produces Merlot, Nebbiolo, Viognier, Cinsault, Grenache, among others
Famous Wines: Archangel-labelled reds and whites. At adobe Guadalupe For over 15 years, our winemaker, Daniel Lonnberg, has increasingly contributed to the Archangels taking center stage within the Mexican premium wines scene.
Approach: Estate-grown, varietal diverse, hacienda-style presentation.
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Daniel Lonnberg Hume is originally from the city of Santiago de Chile, where he studied Oenology in the University of Chile. Mr. Lonnberg comes from a family of doctors and lawyers, which is the reason why his passion for wine came very early, as a curiosity that was born from a tradition in which good wine had to be a part of every family and friends reunion held by his parents in their home.
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Alonso Granados – Decantos Vínícola
History: Former lawyer turned estate winemaker, built gravity-flow cellar
Current: Grown to 20 hectare Carignan-led estate focused on regional expression
Flagship: Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah with gravity vivification.
Specialty: Natural, approachable, terroir-driven wines.
In August 2015, Alonso opened Decantos Vinícola, an imposing winery and tasting room that rises out of the parched landscape like a mirage on the horizon. In the Old World, it is often said that the more vines struggle the better the wine, and when you see how vines grow on some of the rocky slopes in Spain, you understand the truth in that.
Brothers Alonso and Alejandro can be seen daily at the winery. Alonso being the wine-maker and Alejandro the man of hospitality and keeping everyone with a smile on their face.
Camillo Magoni – Casa Magoni / L.A. Cetto
History: Pioneering figure with 50+ years in Baja, former head winemaker at L.A. Cetto
Now: Produces traditional varietals & modern blends.
Top Labels: Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah; L.A. Cetto Petite Sirah bodyworthy of Super Tuscans
Approach: Classic European-inspired, robust oak-aged reds.
Camillo Magoni was born in Morbegno, Italy, which borders with the Swiss city of Engadina. He studied and received his Enology and Viticulture degree from the prestigious Scuola Enolgica Di Alba, located in Italy’s Piedmont wine region in 1962. After working in the renowned Nino Negri de Chiuro winery located in Valtellina (a valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, in the Province of Sondrio which borders with Switzerland), he decided to accept an invitation from Angelo Cetto, to leave Italy and come to Baja California, Mexico to become a member of his winery’s winemaking team.
Pau & Silvana Pijoan – Vinos Pijoan / Tres Mujeres
History: Pau (ex-vet), Silvana second-gen artisanal winemaker Now: Vibrant naturals: El Carbónico, Árbol de Fuego, oxidative whites
Specialty: Carbonic maceration, oxidative styles in natural fashion.
Events: Cave tastings with local ceramics at Tres Mujeres
· A small family business born in 2002, at the beginning of the boom of Mexican wines, dedicated to making authentic handmade wines with heart and integrity. Vinos Pijoan is born from the hand of Pau Pijoan, a Mexican of Catalan origin and a veterinarian researcher, who embarked on an adventure that would completely change his path. Without claiming to be an enologist, his long background as a scientist laid the groundwork for a disciplined and methodical study in the art of winemaking. The early years, he had the help from his adviser Hugo D’Acosta, key figure in the Valle de Guadalupe wine scene.
· Our philosophy is to create honest wines that speak our voices as a family. Different voices, with different things to say. We seek to incorporate the history of our terroir, reflecting its aridity, its morning fogs, the winds and the afternoon heat, followed by cold and cool nights. Having a code of honesty with our drinkers. "We do what we say and we say what we do".
Hugo D’Acosta
Founded in 1997 In the pueblo of San Antonio de Las Minas is where you will find Casa De Piedra. Owner and winemaker Hugo D' Acosta known as "The Pioneer of Mexican winemaking." Casa de Piedra was his first project of which he is now a part of several different projects.
Casa De Piedra remains a family project, on the same property you'll find Conchas De Piedra and also Aborigen a winery his son Lucas oversees.
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Winemaker Info
Graduated from the school of Agronomy of Montpellier, France and the Agricultural University of Turin, Italy.
Founded "La Escuelita " a local wine school where more than half of Valle's current wine makers at one time were students.
Continues making wine along side his with his family, wife Gloria, son Lucas and two daughters Daniella, Julia.
Wines
Espuma de Piedra Blanc de Blanc
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