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By Alfredo Espinola
Vinos Guanamé is a relatively young vineyard in the Mexican wine region of Guanajuato that produces quality wines and has won international awards for almost all its labels.
The winery is a family project born in 2011, explains Alejandro Torres Barrera, commercial director and producer of Vinos Guanamé. It is located on Rancho Pájaro Azul, in the Jaral de Berrios Valley. The vineyard is located 1,800 meters above sea level, and when they began producing quality grapes, it broke the paradigm that it was not possible to do that in that area. Vinos Guanamé was first wine producer in the area.
“It was never our objective to produce quality wine by buying grapes just to have the brand, but to take advantage of the production of quality grapes in our Pajaro Azul Ranch,” Torres Barrera says. “In wine, the most important thing is where it comes from and who makes it.”
Rancho Pájaro Azul not only provides quality grapes, but also milk. In fact, five years before the first grapes were planted, the family launched their first product, Guanamé rompope, an egg-nog like alcoholic beverage (click here to read an el Restaurante article about desserts that include rompope).
When vines were planted, they started with Syrah. They have since added Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and Sauvignon Blanc.
In 2015 they brought their first wine to market, Guanamé Syrah 2014, with a modest production of 250 cases. The quality was high enough that the wine opened doors and opportunities for them to compete in the Ensenada Tierra de Vinos competition. They won a Gold Medal, which encouraged them to continue with their project.
Currently, Guanamé has 30 planted hectares that produce around 100,000 bottles of wine annually. The wines can be found around the United States in Texas, California, Arizona, Chicago, New York and Florida.
Guanamé produces and markets the following varieties:
Guanamé Joven:
- Guanamé Rosé.
- Guanamé Sauvignon Blanc.
- Guanamé Blond.
Guanamé Classic:
- Guanamé Merlot.
- Guanamé Malbec.
- Guanamé Syrah.
Alto Nido Collection:
- Cobaltus.
Pájaro Azul line:
- Pájaro Azul.
- Pájaro Azul Rosé.
Digestive Creams Line:
- Guanamé Caramel Cream.
- Guanamé Rompope.
Torres Barrera emphasizes that all its wines and creams have been awarded national and international prizes. He credits the work of the people in the field, as well as that of Engineer Rafael Garza, one of the most recognized in the country; winemaker Ale Cordero; and Senior Advisor Laura Zamora.
Alfredo Espinola is el Restaurante’s representative in Mexico City.
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