Team C&J
Emevé Wines’ 2018 Los Nietos Reserva is an excellent example of the way Valle de Guadalupe wineries punch above their weight in the global community. While the region may not yet have the panache of its counterparts in California, France, or even Argentina, the wines of Valle de Guadalupe continue to captivate us, and we love introducing you to producers like Emevé Wines.
The wines of Emevé were not initially available to the public. The original concept created by lifelong entrepreneur Mario Villarreal was to use the estate as a country retreat for him to explore the world of viticulture in his retirement, and a place where he could open a bottle of his own, locally-made wine to share with friends and family.
In 2004, the first vineyards were designed around popular French varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Just two years later, Mario released his first vintage to a lucky group of Mario’s friends.
It didn’t take long for Mario to expand his vision to include the larger wine community in Baja. It was a decision driven by a desire to share his passion for local Valle de Guadalupe wines with a wider audience, and for that audience to enjoy the same sensory experiences he had created for his friends.
A fun fact about this winery: the name Emevé was created by combining founder Mario Villarreal’s initials: MV. Spelling out the sounds of Mario’s first and last names created “Em-Vee”.
Today, Emevé’s holdings include an 18-hectare estate planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tempranillo, Malbec, and Chardonnay. This boutique brand releases 5,000 cases of wine a year, including the gold-medal winning “Los Nietos”, profiled here, a second Bordeaux-inspired blend, “Armonía de Tintos”, a stand-alone Cabernet, Malbec, and Shiraz, as well as “Isabella”, a white wine blend, and a stand-alone Chardonnay.
Emevé winemaker Daniel Lonnberg is one of the most in-demand winemakers in Baja. This skilled winemaker, who originally hails from Chile, is also a consulting winemaker for nearly half a dozen of the best wineries in Valle de Guadalupe, including Adobe Guadalupe, Norte 32, Hilo Negro, and Hacienda Guadalupe.
Daniel joined Emevé Wines in 2013 and immediately made an impact on the direction of the brand. Prior to his joining the company, the portfolio of wines leaned heavily into red wines. The only white wine in the line-up was a low-alcohol Chardonnay. The warm Mediterranean-like climate in Valle de Guadalupe invites sipping white wines, so Daniel crafted an entirely new imprint called Isabella, which is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Where is Valle de Guadalupe?
Valle de Guadalupe is a two-hour drive from the US-Mexico border, and roughly an hour and a half from Tijuana. Mexico’s most popular wine destination makes a great day trip from San Diego or an easy weekend getaway from Los Angeles or Orange County.
If you travel to Baja, California, and find yourself exploring Valle de Guadalupe wineries, make a stop at Emevé Wines. Their tasting room is open 7 days a week, and tastings are economically priced between $12 and $23 (200 to 400 Mexican pesos).
Tasting experiences include:
The 2018 Los Nietos Reserva from Emevé Wines is a Bordeaux-inspired blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Merlot. In the glass, the wine boasts a radiant ruby-red hue. The aromas are complex, with pronounced notes of olive, plum, black cherry, graphite, and oak. On the palate, a rich medley of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, olive, green bean, and black pepper unfolds, complemented by nuances of eucalyptus, licorice, leather, and subtle smokiness. Overall, the wine exhibits a dry profile with a well-balanced acidity and moderate tannins that support the full-bodied texture. Aging the wine for 18 months in new French oak softens the tannins, and provides an elegant finish.
Emevé’s 2018 Los Nietos Reserva is a knockout wine at a great price that exudes all of the qualities you expect from Bordeaux blends. While Valle de Guadalupe wineries don’t quite have the name recognition of their counterparts in France or California, if they keep producing wines like this, international fanfare will surely follow.
Mexico
Valle De Guadalupe
Red Blend
13.9
Daniel Lonnberg
62–68°F / 16–20°C
Large Bordeaux
1 Hour
Now to 2030
Emeve
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