Vinos Rolu

The house

Editorial review · reviewed on October 11, 2026

Ro for Rodríguez, Lu for Luis: the name was built from two syllables. Rolu is the winery of Luis Rodríguez, a Mexican winemaker who learned the trade north of the border and came back to make wine in the San Vicente valley, south of Ensenada.

Rodríguez emigrated to California as a young man. At Caymus, Chuck Wagner's winery in Napa, he started on the bottling line and worked his way up to assistant winemaker. In 2001 he bought half a ton of Tempranillo from a small San Vicente grower to make a wine of his own, and soon afterward he was planting about 20 acres (8 hectares) in the same valley.

The vineyard and winery are at the km 105.5 marker of the old San Vicente wine route. The relationship with the Wagners continued over the years: today Rolu presents itself as an alliance between Rodríguez and Vinos Wagner, which sells its labels in its online shop. The house works with Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

You do not need to drive to the valley to taste them. The tasting and sales room is on Avenida Alvarado, in downtown Ensenada, and it opens every day from noon until 8 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There you can try the Tempranillo, the Nebbiolo, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a rosé.