Region: Tecate, Baja California, Mexico
Grapes: 100% Rosa del Perú (Mission / Moscatel Negro)
Body: Light
Notes: Wild strawberry, tart cranberry, hibiscus tea, orange zest, dried rose petals, and subtle wet clay, with a lively natural acidity, delicate tannic grip, and a crisp, refreshing, earth-tinged finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, pork carnitas tacos, grilled quail, ahi tuna ceviche, or roasted beet salad
The Producer
Bichi is a pioneering natural wine project based in Tecate, Baja California, led by Noel Téllez. Working with dry-farmed, ancient, and often historic vine varieties planted on granite-rich soils, Bichi has spearheaded the low-intervention movement in Mexico. Farming organically and biodynamically, Téllez operates with a strict hands-off philosophy in the cellar: spontaneous fermentations with ambient native yeasts, no chemical additives, no fining, no filtration, and zero added sulfur. Their wines are renowned for their raw, high-energy, and distinctively rustic yet pure character.
The Wine
"La Santa" is crafted entirely from 100+ year-old, dry-farmed vines of Rosa del Perú (an ancient clone of the Mission grape / Pais) rooted in the decomposed granite soils of Tecate. The hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts in traditional local clay tinajas (amphorae) and neutral wood, utilizing partial carbonic maceration to enhance aromatics while preserving delicate tannins. Bottled completely unfiltered and zero-zero, the 2022 vintage is a ethereal, pale red that drinks wonderfully with a chill—displaying bright red fruits, savory floral undertones, and a striking slate-like minerality.
Region: Tecate, Baja California, Mexico
Grapes: 100% Rosa del Perú (Mission / Moscatel Negro)
Body: Light
Notes: Wild strawberry, tart cranberry, hibiscus tea, orange zest, dried rose petals, and subtle wet clay, with a lively natural acidity, delicate tannic grip, and a crisp, refreshing, earth-tinged finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, pork carnitas tacos, grilled quail, ahi tuna ceviche, or roasted beet salad
The Producer
Bichi is a pioneering natural wine project based in Tecate, Baja California, led by Noel Téllez. Working with dry-farmed, ancient, and often historic vine varieties planted on granite-rich soils, Bichi has spearheaded the low-intervention movement in Mexico. Farming organically and biodynamically, Téllez operates with a strict hands-off philosophy in the cellar: spontaneous fermentations with ambient native yeasts, no chemical additives, no fining, no filtration, and zero added sulfur. Their wines are renowned for their raw, high-energy, and distinctively rustic yet pure character.
The Wine
"La Santa" is crafted entirely from 100+ year-old, dry-farmed vines of Rosa del Perú (an ancient clone of the Mission grape / Pais) rooted in the decomposed granite soils of Tecate. The hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts in traditional local clay tinajas (amphorae) and neutral wood, utilizing partial carbonic maceration to enhance aromatics while preserving delicate tannins. Bottled completely unfiltered and zero-zero, the 2022 vintage is a ethereal, pale red that drinks wonderfully with a chill—displaying bright red fruits, savory floral undertones, and a striking slate-like minerality.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.