Santo Tomás Valley

The Santo Tomás Valley's wine story begins on April 24, 1791, when Dominican Friars founded the original Santo Tomás Mission and planted the region's first vineyards to produce sacramental wine. Nearly a century later, Bodegas Santo Tomás was established in 1888, becoming the first large-scale commercial winery in the region. It remains the oldest existing winery in Baja California and the second oldest in all of Mexico. Bodegas Santo Tomás also made history in 2005 by becoming the first Mexican winery to appoint a woman as head winemaker, naming Laura Zamora to the role; Cristina Pino succeeded her in 2019.

• Mission founded April 24, 1791 by Dominican Friars; vineyards planted immediately for sacramental use
• Bodegas Santo Tomás established 1888, oldest winery in Baja California
• First Mexican winery to name a female head winemaker (Laura Zamora, 2005; Cristina Pino, 2019)
• Bodegas Santo Tomás owns the Único vineyard, home to vines over 150 years old

Santo Tomás Valley sits within the Northern Baja California wine zone at elevations ranging from 500 to 750 feet above sea level. The region's vineyards lie within 15 miles of the Pacific Ocean, and this proximity defines the local climate. Cold Pacific breezes and morning fog push inland through the valley corridors, cooling the growing season and creating a Mediterranean microclimate characterized by wet winters and dry summers. The terroir has been compared to both Napa Valley and the Rhône Valley for its capacity to produce both red and white wines of distinction. The valley spans across adjacent areas including San Antonio de las Minas and San Vicente de Ferrer.

• Elevation ranges from 500 to 750 feet across the valley
• Mediterranean climate with wet winters, dry summers, and strong Pacific maritime influence
• Cold breezes and fog from the Pacific Ocean moderate summer temperatures
• Spans valleys including San Antonio de las Minas and San Vicente de Ferrer

Soil composition in Santo Tomás Valley varies meaningfully by position in the landscape. Valley floors feature predominantly alluvial, granite-rich soils, while hillside and slope vineyards are composed of large granite stones. The sandy soils found in certain valley sections carry high concentrations of iron and other minerals. This diversity of soil types across 350 hectares of planted vineyard supports an unusually broad range of grape varieties. The region cultivates 21 varietals in total, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Nebbiolo, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, and Colombard.

• Valley floors: alluvial, granite-rich soils; slopes: large granite stones
• Sandy valley soils are high in iron and other minerals
• 350 hectares of vineyards planted across the region
• 21 grape varieties cultivated, from Bordeaux classics to Italian and Iberian varieties

Bodegas Santo Tomás dominates the valley both historically and commercially, owning the majority of land in the region. The winery produces approximately 130,000 cases annually across a portfolio of 15 wines, making it one of the most significant producers in all of Mexico. Its Único vineyard contains vines over 150 years old, representing some of the most historic plant material in the country. The winery's wine style reflects a Bordeaux-influenced approach alongside exploration of Mediterranean and Italian varieties, with a stated focus on expressing the valley's distinct terroir.

• Owns most vineyard land in the valley, including the historic Único vineyard
• Annual production approximately 130,000 cases across 15 wines
• Único vineyard vines are over 150 years old
• Founded 1888; oldest winery in Baja California and second oldest in Mexico