Monte Xanic

Monte Xanic was founded in 1987 by five partners: Hans Backhoff Escudero, Ricardo Hojel, Manuel Castro Limón, Tomás Fernández, and Eric Hagsater. The winery launched during a particularly difficult era for Mexican wine, as the country had only recently opened its doors to foreign wine imports, intensifying competition for domestic producers. The founding team committed to a quality-first philosophy aimed at producing wines capable of competing internationally. The winery received its first significant accolade in 1994 and began selling direct as a cult wine before entering supermarkets in 1998. By publishing the free magazine El Espíritu del Vino from 1992, Monte Xanic also invested in consumer wine education across Mexico.

• Founded by five partners in 1987 during the peso crisis era
• First major accolade received in 1994, seven years after founding
• Sold exclusively direct-to-consumer as a cult wine until entering supermarkets in 1998
• Published free magazine El Espíritu del Vino beginning in 1992 to build wine culture

Monte Xanic operates in Baja California, Mexico, with its main facility and several vineyard holdings in Valle de Guadalupe and additional properties in Valle de Ojos Negros. Valle de Guadalupe sits at 950 to 1,050 feet elevation, while the Ojos Negros holdings climb to 1,800 feet. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers reaching 30°C and mild, wet winters around 5°C. Annual rainfall is low at 200 to 300mm, and Pacific Ocean breezes moderate temperatures throughout the growing season. Soils vary across the estates, encompassing decomposed granite, clay, sandstone, sandy loam, and granite-rich alluvial material.

• Valle de Guadalupe vineyards sit at 950 to 1,050 feet; Ojos Negros vineyards at 1,800 feet
• Mediterranean climate with just 200 to 300mm of annual rainfall
• Pacific Ocean breezes moderate summer heat throughout the growing season
• Soils include decomposed granite, clay, sandstone, and sandy loam alluvial deposits

Monte Xanic grows an extensive range of both red and white varieties. Reds include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Whites include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Semillon. The winery is credited with pioneering the introduction of Bordeaux varieties to Mexico, including Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc. Wines are quality-focused and range in style from full-bodied reds with concentrated dark fruit, chocolate, and firm tannins to aromatic whites showing citrus and fresh-cut hay. The flagship Gran Ricardo is a Bordeaux-style blend produced only in exceptional vintages.

• Grows ten varieties spanning classic Bordeaux reds and whites plus Syrah and Chenin Blanc
• Pioneered Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc in Mexico
• Reds show dark fruit, chocolate, and firm tannin structure
• Gran Ricardo flagship blend is only released in exceptional vintages

Monte Xanic is credited with transforming the Mexican wine industry. By demonstrating that world-class wine could be produced in Baja California, the winery prompted established older producers to develop their own premium brands and helped establish Valle de Guadalupe as Mexico's premier wine region internationally. The winery established educational programs for local grape growers and maintained its boutique identity despite growing to approximately 60,000 cases annually. The wine cellar was excavated using over 9,000 meters of dynamite, a feat that underscored the founders' commitment to building a serious production facility. In 2017, Monte Xanic obtained ISO 9001 certification, and a comprehensive facility remodel completed in 2014 added state-of-the-art production areas and tasting rooms. The property also features an artificial lake for water quality control and a theater for events.

• Credited with prompting older Mexican producers to develop premium wine brands
• Established educational programs for local Baja California grape growers
• Wine cellar excavated using over 9,000 meters of dynamite
• ISO 9001 certified in 2017; facility fully remodeled in 2014