Monte Xanic: Making World Class Wines

By Steve Dryden

It started with a dream and vision shared by five friends who wanted to create world class wines in Guadalupe Valley, Baja California. These wine enthusiasts were determined to produce excellent quality Mexican wines that would reflect the terroir allowing the vines to mirror the nature of their soil, climate and express that nature in their fruit. The energetic and creative partners purchased 200 acres in 1987 and began the process of bringing their dreams and wines into fruition. Today the winery produces 45,000 cases of world class wine and is showcasing Mexican wines around the world!

The vineyards of Monte Xanic are cultivated with many varieties of grapes including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, syrah, chardonnay, chenin blanc, and sauvignon blanc. The vineyard is managed to produce a low volume of high quality grapes allowing growers to maintain control over every step needed to bring out the best characteristics of the grapes. The fruit of the vines are monitored daily then harvested by hand at the exact moment to meet their superior quality standards.

The current winemaker and a co-partner is Hans Backhoff. He uses the most modern equipment, low pressure presses, new French oak barrels, bottle aging and wine techniques that produce quality wines year after year. He markets his world class wines under three labels: Gran Ricardo, Monte Xanic and Calixa

Gran Ricardo de Monte Xanic is the top of the line for Mexican wines. A magnificent blend of fifty percent cabernet sauvignon, twenty-five percent merlot, five percent petit verdot, five percent malbec aged in new French oak for twenty-four months and up to four years bottle aging. It has a complex bouquet of strawberries and wild raspberries with hints of cedar, chocolate and anise. A refined and well-balanced wine with a smooth velvety taste and mild finish. It can be served alone or would be a wonderful companion for beef dishes, venison, duck, goose, or aged cheese.

Monte Xanic Cabernet Sauvignon is 100 percent varietal producing incredible aromas of black cherries, raspberries, plums, pepper, black currants and wild strawberries. This excellent wine is medium bodied, velvety and well balanced with a long refined finished. Its intense flavors match well with classic cuts of beef, leg of lamb, strong flavors of game and aged cheese such as camembert, manchego and parmesan.

Monte Xanic Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot is a classic blend of sixty percent cabernet sauvignon, twenty-five percent merlot, five percent cabernet franc, five percent petit verdot and five percent malbec. Aging in new French oak barrels for eighteen months induces rich aromas and intense flavors of red fruits, cassis, chocolate and oak.

Monte Xanic Merlot is 100 percent varietal offering a voluptuous wine smooth and rich with intense flavors and delicious aromas of raspberries and black cherry. A versatile and intense wine that combines well with beef dishes, grilled lamb or duck.

Monte Xanic Syrah is 100 percent varietal, very intense and elegant with deep crimson red color and complex aroma of black fruits, red currant, black cherry and toasted coffee with hints of pepper and oak. It’s an excellent full-bodied wine with a long smooth finish.

Monte Xanic Chardonnay is 100 percent varietal with intense and complex flavors. It has rich aromas of pineapple, banana, citrus fruits and apple creating a well-balanced and elegant wine. A great companion for lightly seasoned fish, lobster or salmon.

Monte Xanic Sauvignon Blanc (Vina Kristel) is 100 percent varietal light and dry, full-bodied and delightful to drink. This popular wine has wonderful aromas of pineapple and pear with hints of fresh butter, carmel with vanilla. It compliments fresh oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon, seafood salads, Caesar salad with chicken and more!

Monte Xanic Chenin/Colombard is ninety-five percent chenin blanc and five percent colombard with well balanced acidity, delicious light flavor and very easy to drink.

The winery offers a new selection of wines that are high quality and affordable. The Calixa label reflects great values in Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Chardonnay. They offer a wide selection of premium and budget wines for under $30.

The winery is located near the village of Francisco Zarco in Guadalupe Valley on the Ensenada-Tecate Highway 3. Drive into town on the only paved road and follow it until it turns into a dirt road. Merge to the right at the fork and drive for about three quarters of a mile to the large gate and sign on the right. You can phone at 646 174-6155 for directions, hours or information. Open on Saturdays, Sundays and by appointment.