At a glance
- Founded
- 1987first harvest in 1989
- Winemaking
- Óscar Gaona (since 2020); Hans Backhoff Escudero, founding winemaker
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah and 4 more
- Style
- reds built to age · night-harvested whites · minimal intervention
- Visits
- Open to the public
The house
Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026In 1987 five friends set out to put a Mexican wine on the map of international winemaking. The house says it was among the first to harvest white grapes at night, so they arrive fresh, and to use micro-oxygenation.
The five were Hans Backhoff Escudero, Manuel, Tomás, Eric, and Ricardo, the Ricardo Hojel honored by the Gran Ricardo. Backhoff, a physician by training, led the winemaking and signed the first harvest in 1989, about 6,200 cases of Chenin Colombard and Cabernet Sauvignon. He was the winery's winemaker for some thirty years, until his death in 2017. His son, Hans Backhoff Guerrero, has run the company since 2008, and since 2020 the winemaking has been in the hands of Óscar Gaona, trained in biotechnology at Tecnológico de Monterrey and in enology at the University of Adelaide, who describes himself as a minimal-intervention winemaker.
The winery sits in Ejido Francisco Zarco (an ejido is land held by a farming community), but its grapes come from two valleys in the Ensenada area, Guadalupe and Ojos Negros. The Cabernet Franc in the Edición Limitada line comes from Ojos Negros, and the plots set aside for the Gran Ricardo come from both valleys. Some labels, like the Syrah, are certified organic and vegan.
The visit starts with a tour of the winery and its history and ends on the terrace with a reserved tasting. Visitors who arrive without an appointment, Thursday through Sunday, can enjoy a bottle by the lake at the Lago MX space, with no tasting or tour.
The wines
Monte Xanic works in two registers: fresh whites, made with night-harvested grapes, and Bordeaux-style reds raised in new French oak, with the Gran Ricardo blend at the top. The Edición Limitada line shows single varieties, such as Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
Red
Gran Ricardo
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Made since 1994. Grapes from Guadalupe and Ojos Negros, 18 months in new French oak. Peñín Guide 2026: 94 points for the 2023 vintage.
Red
Edición Limitada Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
From Ojos Negros, 13 months in new French oak.
White
Viña Kristel Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
White
Chenin Colombard
Chenin Blanc, Colombard
One of the two wines from the winery's first harvest, in 1989.
Red
Monte Xanic Syrah
Syrah
Label with organic certification.
Grapes it works with
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Petit Verdot
- Malbec
- Syrah
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Colombard
- Vineyard
- estate vineyards in Guadalupe Valley and Ojos Negros
- In the vineyard and the cellar
- night harvest of white grapes · micro-oxygenation · some labels certified organic and vegan
What to taste
Two glasses to see both sides of the house: a night-harvested white, like the Viña Kristel Sauvignon Blanc, and the Edición Limitada Cabernet Franc from Ojos Negros, with 13 months in new French oak.
Why go
See inside the winery behind the Gran Ricardo, founded in 1987, and finish the visit with a reserved tasting on the terrace.
Awards
- Gold (95 points)Decanter World Wine Awards · Edición Limitada Cabernet Franc 20242026
- SilverDecanter World Wine Awards · Viña Kristel Sauvignon Blanc 20252026
- BronzeDecanter World Wine Awards · Monte Xanic Chardonnay 20242026
- BronzeDecanter World Wine Awards · Monte Xanic Merlot 20242026
- BronzeDecanter World Wine Awards · Monte Xanic Selección 20242026
The visit
Receives visitors. Confirm the hours before you go. Reservations are recommended.
Offers:TastingsTours
Tastings and tours
Per the official website, tastings run Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in spring and summer and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in fall and winter. Closed December 24, 25, and 31 and January 1.
House rules
- Groups of 8 or more: let the winery know in advance
Without a reservation, Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can visit the Lago MX space, with no tasting or tour. Tastings and experiences require a reservation.
Amenities
- Terrace
Getting there
Calle principal a Ejido Francisco Zarco s/n, Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, B.C. · Get directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Open the driving route in Google Maps:
- Directions from your location (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from San Diego, CA (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from San Ysidro Port of Entry (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Ensenada (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Tijuana (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Tijuana Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Directions from Tecate (opens in a new tab)
