At a glance
- Founded
- 2005
- Winemaking
- José Luis Durand, founding winemaker (since 2005)
- Vineyard
- 22.2 acres (9 ha)
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc and 1 more
- Style
- age-worthy reds · soil-driven wines · blends
- Visits
- Does not receive visitors
The house
Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026Ícaro was born in 2005 under winemaker José Luis Durand, who never wanted a tasting room or a restaurant: his work is the vineyard and the bottle. He farms about 22 rented acres (9 hectares) in different parts of Guadalupe Valley (Valle de Guadalupe), choosing them for their soil, clay or sand, such as the ground at the edge of the dry creek bed.
That reading of the soil organizes the labels. The Ícaro red brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah, aged in barrel. Ala Rota tells the story of a sandy vineyard beside the creek, and El Perfumista is a Cabernet Sauvignon from those same soils. Marellas, the fresher line, gives Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a rosé. The winery is not open to the public. Only members of its wine club taste with the winemaker.
The wines
Age-worthy reds that the house sorts by the soil they come from, sand or clay, with a year or more in barrel. It also has a fresher line, Marellas, with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a rosé.
Red
Ícaro
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah
The wine that gives the house its name. Between 12 and 14 months in barrel, depending on the variety, according to its technical sheet.
Red
Ala Rota
Tells the story of a vineyard in the sandy area beside the dry creek.
Red
El Perfumista
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon from sandy soils.
White
Marellas Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Grapes it works with
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Nebbiolo
- Petit Verdot
- Petite Sirah
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Soils
- clay and sand
- Vineyard
- rented vineyards in different microclimates of Guadalupe Valley
What to taste
Ícaro, the five-grape red blend that gives the house its name, or El Perfumista, to see what sand does to Cabernet Sauvignon.
The visit
Does not receive visitors. Its wines are sold in shops and restaurants.
The winery is not open to the public. Members of its wine club can taste with the winemaker if they ask for an appointment two weeks ahead.
Getting there
Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada · Get directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Open the driving route in Google Maps:
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