At a glance
- Founded
- 2004vineyard planting, with the first wine in 2006 and sales since 2008
- Winemaking
- Daniel Lonnberg (since 2013)
- Vineyard
- 44.5 acres (18 ha)
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tempranillo, Malbec and 1 more
- Style
- Bordeaux-style blends · single-variety reds · young whites without barrel aging
- Visits
- Open to the public
- Hours
- Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. · see hours
The house
Eme, ve: said out loud in Spanish, the name spells out the initials M and V, for Mario Villarreal. Villarreal came from other businesses when he decided to enter grape growing in Guadalupe Valley (Valle de Guadalupe), and his winery still carries that personal stamp.
The first vines were planted in 2004 and the first wine came out in 2006, but for a couple of years it was served only among family and friends. In 2008, convinced by the response, Villarreal decided to sell it. The vineyard began with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, later added Tempranillo, Malbec, and Chardonnay, and today the house farms 44 acres (18 hectares).
Since 2013 the winemaking has been in the hands of Daniel Lonnberg, a Chilean from Santiago trained at the University of Chile, who oversees all the lines. He created Isabella, the young white that became one of the house's best-known labels alongside Los Nietos, its Bordeaux-style blend. The 2014 vintage of Isabella won a gold medal at Ensenada Tierra del Vino in 2015.
The shop is large, has a private room, and offers tastings of three wines, from the most awarded to the reserves, with something to eat, as local rules require. Los Nietos is the natural way into its style. Beyond those two, the house bottles a single-variety Malbec and a Chardonnay. According to the information we reviewed, it closes on Mondays and opens Tuesday through Sunday.
The wines
The core of the house is its reds, above all the Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, and single-variety wines like the Malbec. Among whites, Isabella is a young wine that never sees a barrel, and there is a Chardonnay as well.
Red
Los Nietos
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
A Bordeaux-style blend.
White
Isabella
A young white with no barrel aging, created by Daniel Lonnberg. The 2014 vintage won gold at Ensenada Tierra del Vino 2015.
Red
Emevé Malbec
Malbec
White
Emevé Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Grapes it works with
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
- Tempranillo
- Malbec
- Chardonnay
What to taste
Los Nietos, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc blend the house is identified with, and for contrast Isabella, a young white without barrel aging.
Why go
Three wines per tasting, from Isabella to the reserves, in a spacious shop with a private room and a bite to eat alongside.
Awards
- GoldConcurso Internacional Ensenada Tierra del Vino · Isabella 20142015
The visit
Receives visitors. Confirm the hours before you go.
Offers:TastingsShop
Tastings and tours
Hours
- MondayClosed
- Tuesdaynoon to 5 p.m.
- Wednesdaynoon to 5 p.m.
- Thursdaynoon to 5 p.m.
- Fridaynoon to 6 p.m.
- Saturdaynoon to 6 p.m.
- Sundaynoon to 6 p.m.
Hours are subject to change. Confirm with the winery before your visit.
House rules
- By local regulation, tastings are served with some food
The shop has a VIP room. Confirm the hours before you go.
Amenities
- Wine shop
Getting there
Parcela 67, Ejido El Porvenir, San José de la Zorra, Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, B.C. · Get directions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
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