Wine Club: April 2026
For a long time we’ve been hearing about the quickly emerging fine wine industry south of the border, our interest very much piqued. This year, at long last, Wisconsin has representation of a wonderfully robust book of wines from Mexico covering growing regions ranging from the Valle de Guadalupe just south of San Diego to Coahuila on the Texas border to Guanajuato, located at very high elevations in the central plateau, near Mexico City. While we intend to explore many of these wines in the shop in the coming year, we’re introducing Mexico with four delicious offerings in this month’s wine club. Two hail from Baja California and two from the mountainous Queretaro, just over 100 miles north of Mexico City.
Baja California wine country is nestled in valleys surrounded on all sides by mountains with some gaps in the ranges allowing the all-important sea breezes and fog to roll in from the Pacific. This ocean influence is key to making viticulture possible this far south, on the very edge of the ‘wine belt’ at 32 degrees north. Wine has been grown here for hundreds of years, with the same history California has of Spanish Missions planting vineyards, but Baja’s fine wine industry is quite young, having slowly emerged in the 1980s. On the back of Baja’s quickly growing tourism scene, the Valle de Guadalupe wine region is now becoming a destination of its own, rooted in classic European varietals and making a wide range of styles. The Baja wines this month are an expressive Sauvignon Blanc and a powerful red from the little-known Marselan grape, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.
Located even farther to the south (indeed, one of the farthest south wine regions in the northern hemisphere) and very far inland, Queretaro relies on elevation to avoid the extreme heat of other parts of Mexico. At 6,500 feet above sea level, this mountainous area experiences very cool nights, optimal for retaining freshness and acidity, making it an excellent producer of sparkling wines and other fresh styles. It’s one of the earliest planted regions in the Americas, with original plantings in 1531. Similar to Baja though, it has only recently been recognized as a consistent producer of fine wine and has a burgeoning wine tourism industry supported by its proximity to Mexico City. Our wines from Queretaro are a Champagne-method sparkler (the region’s specialty) and a vibrant red blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.
¡Salud!
El Bajio Methode Traditional Brut Sparkling
Valle de Bernal, Querétaro
The Grapes
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Tasting Notes
Toast, brioche and ripe citrus fruit on the nose. Creamy bubbles with apricot and lemon on the palate. Long finish of brioche and lemon zest. Spot-on Champagne-method sparkler!
Pairing Suggestions
This flavorful queso dip is a great appetizer to start off with with this bubbly.
Can it Age?
Up to three years.
Casa Jipi Sauvignon Blanc
Valle de San Vicente, Baja California
The Grapes
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Tasting Notes
Bounces out of the glass with fresh aromas of all sorts of citrus (lemon, tangerine, lime zest) and honeysuckle. On the palate more citrus, some grassy notes typical of Sauv Blanc and some richer melon tones. Vivid acid and a refreshing finish. Get ready for summer!
Pairing Suggestions
Shrimp tacos of any sort!
Can it Age?
Drink now!
El Bajio Marselan
Valle de Bernal, Querétaro
The Grapes
100% Marselan
Tasting Notes
At first sniff lots of rich black fruit (plum, blackberry), crushed herbs, violet, dill. On the palate some leather and tobacco emerge as well as chocolate and baking spices from oak aging. Rich, full body with tannin and acid to back it up.
Pairing Suggestions
A staple of cuisine in central Mexico, Barbacoa tacos would knock it out of the park with this wine.
Can it Age?
Yes, up to five years.
Casa Magoni Sangiovese/Cabernet
Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California
The Grapes
Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes
Fresh wild berries, eucalyptus, wildflowers and black currant on the nose. Rose and violet come out on the palate with raspberry and red plum. Nice balance of tannin and acid with a floral finish.
Pairing Suggestions
The Italian nature of this fresh red calls for a little bit of fusion from Baja California… Salsa Verde Pizza with Goat Cheese and Bacon is probably something we should all be eating regularly, and this wine will pair beautifully with it.
Can it Age?
Drink now.
