Casa
de Piedra
Winery
- Vineyard - Boutique
- Location:
San Antonio de la Minas - Valle de Guadalupe
- Web
Site: www.vinoscasadepiedra.com
- Telephone:
+52 (646) 174-0836 / 174-0829
- Email:
cpiedra@telnor.net
- Directions:
From
the ocean, take Highway # 3 into the Valle de Guadalupe, Pass
San Antonio de la Minas and start looking on the left side. It's
right there on the main highway at Km 93.5 Highway # 3 Tecate-Ensenada
This
discreet vineyard, located at Km 93.5 in the valley of San Antonio
de Las Minas, is considered by some as Mexico's most innovative and
ground-breaking winery. Its red Vino de Piedra and white Piedra de
Sol are considered among the best wines in Mexico. They are exclusive,
expensive and hard to find, but many who have tried them say it's
worth it.
The
Casa de Piedra Boutique Vineyard and Winery was born in 1996 with
the goal to produce excellent wine for the enjoyment of people whose
interest and enthusiasm lay in the initiation of the winery here in
Baja California.
At
Casa de Piedra, they have endeavored to make their "Estate Wine"
using the grapes from the Baja California area and its diverse microclimates.
Utilizing the latest technology combined with the expertise and sensibility
of their winemakers, Karl Wente and Hugo D´Acosta, they have
attained a level upon which, each bottle exclusively reflects the
personality of the land here in Baja California and in the Valle de
Guadalupe where their main winery is located
The
Casa de Piedra Vineyard and Winery is located at km 93.5 in valley
of San Antonio de las Minas, Baja California.
The
Casa de Piedra and its vineyards, are uniquely situated, lending its
geometric rhythm and harmony to the vines. The building has an intimate
farmhouse ambiance, but is well equipped with small capacity stainless
steel tanks complete with computerized processing control, a semi-gravitational
system and underground caves. Eight years have passed since their
first harvest and they have received high acclaim for their wine both
nationally and internationally.
As
of 2006, they have produced 17,820 bottles of Tempranillo, Merlot,
and Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes used in the production are 50% from
the Valle de Guadalupe and 50% from the Valley in Livermore, California,
USA.
1997
HARVEST - 4,800 bottles produced
97' was one of the best harvests on record. The climate was perfect
for the growth of the crop. A mild winter with stable conditions,
light seasonal rain, and a later accumulation of dryness followed
by a perfect spring and summer, which resulted in the ripening of
a rich and intense fruit.
The
first wine produced at Casa de Piedra. This wine is an equal mix of
Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, both seasonal varietals
reinforcing the components and concentration in the fruit.
During
the wine making process we sought to obtain the highest concentration
in order to extract the most number of prevalent flavors from the
grapes. It was then aged 16 months in oak barrels with the intent
to give the wine a decorative balance with a subtle hint of wood.
Tasting
notes: Intense red in color with blue undertones. An ample aroma of
ripened red berries, dried forest seedling and fresh cocoa. A robust
wine with a high aging potential.
1998
HARVEST - 8,920 bottles produced
Although 1998 is known as the year of "El Niño" in
Baja California, the vines experienced two unusual phenomenons. Winter-spring
El Niño conditions and Summer-autumn La Niña conditions.
These two particular situations resulted in a period of rain during
the most part of the spring, and the irregular temperatures during
the flowering of the vine resulted in a lower grape production. Finally,
during the summer, the ocean temperature was below normal, affecting
temperature in the valleys at the time of ripening. The harvest reaped
a lesser volume but yielded a very aromatic fruit of medium strength
flavors.
This
was our second production year at Casa de Piedra. We produced our
red wine primarily blended with Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon
with the Tempranillo slightly dominating.
The
two main objectives of the 98 production were, primarily to delay
the harvesting date (end of October) in order to obtain a maximum
concentration of sugars in the grape and secondly, to carefully monitor
the fermentation process with a moderate maceration time in order
to achieve a well balanced aroma and body. Finally aging in oak barrels
to augment the spectrum of flavors whilst taking care not to overpower
the delicate character of this elegant wine.
Tasting
Notes: Elegant red in color with light earthy tones. An ample aroma
with hints of spices, dried fruits mixed with a touch of olive an
cedar. Soft but elegant and well rounded on the pallet. Medium to
high aging potential.
1999 HARVEST - 10,920 bottles produced
Our 3rd harvest and production year, we could detect the different
characteristics of each year´s vintage, expressing the philosophy
of the Casa de Piedra, that each year the wine will be agreeably unique.
1999
was a cold winter, lowering the incidents of pests and plagues on
the vines, therefore giving a more regular growth to the plants. Light
rainfall with a good distribution in the vineyards resulting in a
high concentration of flavors in the fruit. Spring was usually cool,
which elongated the flowering period and led to a lower fruit production.
Summer began very madly although the temperate climate led the growth
of an elegant and highly aromatic fruit. The end of the summer was
perfect for the sun to give the ultimate ripening time on the vine.
Result, a splendid balance of "Aroma-Body". One could say
that this was a very European year.
The
1999 harvest yielded a very uncommon fruit, very agreeable, calling
for a medium maceration in order to give a good structure but not
to mask the natural characteristic of the grape. Aging in oak barrels
to give a discreet hang of wood to the wine whilst maintaining the
predominant fruit characteristics.
PIEDRA
DE SOL
Ending the century, Casa de Piedra started it's first harvest of a
white wine. A simple Chardonnay wine, made with the intention of expressing
the pure character of the grape. Without the addition of wood or any
other technique that might distract the personality of the fruit.
The
vines were planted densely in the amount of 10,000 plants per hectare
(about 2.5 acres), aiming for a high concentration of flavors in the
fruit.
Tasting
Notes:
Pale yellow in color with light green undertones. Aroma of green apples
and orange. Soft and refreshing on the pallet, with an elegant honey
flavor. They produced 420 bottles and sold out.
