Dominio de las Abejas Estate
Founded: 2015 by Mauricio Ruiz and family
Winemaker: Mauricio Ruiz (Mexican born, lives part time in Ensenada and part time in Australia where he runs two other organic biodynamic natural wineries
Winery location: Valle de Ojos Negros, Baja California
Region and grape source: Las Abejas is a concept winery that was started based on choosing the best possible piece of land for growing grapes in anticipation of climate change. Their search alighted on a piece of land in the high elevation Valle de Ojos Negros in Baja California, located just south and slightly inland from Valle de Guadalupe. Priority was placed on organic certification since the beginning, and the vineyards are certified organic by the CCOF. All grapes in their wines come from estate vineyards.
Vineyard location, elevation and grape varieties: The las Abejas vineyard is located in a very unique section of Valle de Ojos Negros that was once a marsh, (when the water table was much higher than it is now). The marsh was a resource for untold generations of migratory waterfowl all of which left deposits that enriched the soil. The marsh was gone long before they purchased the land, but the signature of this period is left in the rich and unique composition of the soil which has far more organic content than the surrounding area. At 2,200 ft in elevation, the main challenge of growing grapes here is the threat of frost during the growing season. They grow 10 grape varieties: Nebbiolo, Grenache, Nero D' Avola, Cinsault, Carignan, Chardonnay, Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, and Zinfandel.
Notes:
- The wines of las Abejas are made naturally. Ambient yeast fermentation, no corrections or additions, no filtration or fining and only a 30 ppm sulfite addition at bottling. This absolute gem of an estate is one of only a handful of organic certified vineyards in Mexico making 100% natural wine that is clean and precise, showing no faults of any kind. Their creations are at the top level of natural wines worldwide.
Total Production: 5 wines 3,400 cases
2024 Nebbiolo - Dominio de las Abejas
Tasting Notes and Drinking Window:
This 100% Nebbiolo is one of the rare examples in Mexico that mirrors the light color and structural backbone of its Italian counterparts. Nebbiolo’s magic lies in its paradox—delicate in color and texture, yet delivering remarkable intensity of flavor and structure. Here, that dual nature is on full display: a nuanced, light-bodied wine with the depth and grip of a serious red.
The 2024 vintage is more assertive and energetic than the 2023, with every hallmark from previous years dialed up a notch. Across the board, the estate’s 2024s are exceptional.
345 cases made
Drinking window: Upon release – 8 yearsVintage:
2024
Blend:
100% Nebbiolo
Producer:
Dominio de las Abejas
Winemaker:
Mauricio Ruiz - Mexican
Vineyards:
Valle de Ojos Negros - Estate vineyards planted in 2015 at an elevation of 2,200 ft in a unique section of the valley that was once a marsh. Vineyards are certified organic by the CCOF.
Winemaking:
The 2024 harvest took place on October 15th, handpicked in the cool of night to preserve maximum acidity. After harvest, the grapes were carefully hand-sorted, gently crushed, and fermented with native yeast. Fermentation lasted 14 days at the lowest possible temperatures, aiming for minimal extraction and the greatest purity and finesse. The wine was then aged for eight months in a concrete egg before bottling—without filtration or fining, as with all Las Abejas wines.
Sulfites: 50 ppmFarming:
Organic, sustainable
Alcohol:
13.5%
