At a glance
- Founded
- 2003vineyard planting, with the first wines made in 2006
- Winemaking
- Amado Garza, founding winemaker
- Vineyard
- 22.2 acres (9 ha)
- Grapes
- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Grenache, Carignan and 6 more
- Style
- blended reds · Merlot · aged in French oak
- Visits
- Open to the public
- Hours
- Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. · see hours
The house
Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026Amado Garza is a mechanical engineer and also the winemaker at his own house. With his wife, Ana, he has made every Viñas de Garza label since 2006: he chooses the grapes and runs the winemaking.
It all began in 2003 at Rancho Mogorcito, at the km 87 marker of the highway from Tecate to Ensenada, with the vineyard and the construction of the winery. The first vintage came in 2006 and yielded two wines, the Amado IV and the Tinto del Rancho Mogorcito. The couple's daughters, Ana Cristina, Melisa, and Ana Gabriela, also take part in the business.
Today there are 22 acres (9 hectares) in production and another 12 acres (5 hectares) in development. The first grapes were Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and over the years the ranch added Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Grenache, Carignan, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat to try new blends. The catalog runs to about ten labels.
Tastings are outdoors, at the bar on the terrace, with the vineyard in front. The Premium tasting, with regional cheeses, cured meats, and bread, requires a reservation. According to the winery's website it opens Friday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and no one under 18 is admitted. Alongside the reds, the winery pours its Blanco del Rancho Mogorcito, from the 2022 harvest, and it shares the km 87 stretch of the highway with Vinícola 3 Mujeres.
The wines
The house built its style on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, its first harvests, and over time blended them with Tempranillo and Zinfandel. The top-tier reds go through French oak, and the lineup is rounded out by whites from the ranch.
Red
Amado IV
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
One of the house's first two wines, from 2006. A blend aged in French oak.
Red
Gran Amado
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
The house's most ambitious red, aged long in barrel.
Red
Gran Amado Merlot
Merlot
A single-vineyard Merlot from the house.
Red
Tinto del Rancho Mogorcito
The other label from the first vintage, in 2006.
White
Blanco del Rancho Mogorcito
Grapes it works with
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tempranillo
- Zinfandel
- Grenache
- Carignan
- Nebbiolo
- Montepulciano
- Petit Verdot
- Syrah
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscat
- Vineyard
- in production, with 12 more acres (5 hectares) in development
What to taste
To start at the beginning, the Amado IV, the four-grape blend that opened the first vintage in 2006. To see Merlot on its own, the Gran Amado Merlot.
Why go
An outdoor bar facing the vineyard, at a winery where the owner makes the wine with his own hands.
The visit
Receives visitors. Confirm the hours before you go. No reservation needed.
Offers:TastingsFood pairings
Tastings and tours
Hours
- MondayClosed
- TuesdayClosed
- WednesdayClosed
- ThursdayClosed
- Friday11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tasting hours come from the official website. The Premium wines are tasted by reservation.
Hours are subject to change. Confirm with the winery before your visit.
House rules
- No one under 18 is admitted
The standard tasting does not include a guided tour. Book the Premium ahead.
Amenities
- Terrace
Getting there
Carretera Federal 3 (Mexico Federal Highway 3), Tecate to Ensenada, km 87 marker (Rancho Mogorcito)
Rancho Mogorcito, Carretera Tecate a Ensenada km 87, Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, B.C. · Get directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Open the driving route in Google Maps:
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