Dominio de las Abejas Néctar de Campo Rojo 2023
We have 18 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Dominio de las Abejas is located in Ojos Negros, a high desert valley in Baja California, about 45 minutes east of Ensenada. Though the Valle de Guadalupe is the most recognized region in Baja, Ojos Negros sits at higher elevation (690 meters) and has a cooler, more continental climate with strong diurnal shifts. This allows for slower ripening and better acid retention — key to the balance in this wine. Soils range from sandy calcareous to deep red clays, offering both drainage and water-holding capacity in a region where rainfall is scarce. Baja’s wine industry is young by global standards but deeply experimental and increasingly defined by its rugged terroir, dry farming, and low-input viticulture. Ojos Negros is one of the most promising subregions, and Dominio de las Abejas is at the forefront of that evolution.
The Wine
Grenache, Nero d’Avola, Carignan, and Cinsault, co-fermented wild, make up the Néctar de Campo Rojo. The result is a vivid and elegant red wine with aromas of red cherry, strawberry, wild herbs, wildflower, and spice. The palate is medium-bodied, with bright red fruit and a savory, stony edge that speaks to the vineyard’s calcareous soils. There’s no fining, no corrections, and only native yeasts — what’s in the glass is a direct reflection of the vineyard and the growing season. It’s the kind of wine that’s best with a light chill and is not on most people’s radar. It’s truly a stunning wine that is reminiscent of something you might find on the Mediterranean coast.
The People
Founded in 2015 by Mauricio Ruiz Cantú, Dominio de las Abejas is part of a new generation of Mexican wineries combining international experience with a deep commitment to place. Mauricio previously co-founded Juguette and Somos in Australia and was named one of Australia’s Top 50 Young Wine Producers in 2020 by the Young Gun of Wine. He brings that same restless curiosity and clarity of vision to Ojos Negros. The vineyard is managed by Ricardo Michel Mata, a viticulturist with a Master’s from the University of Adelaide and harvest experience in New Zealand and across Mexico. Together, they farm certified organic, with minimal irrigation, native fermentations, and no cosmetic winemaking — their work is based in transparency, sustainability, and the belief that Baja can produce world class wines.
Food Pairing:
Roasted sweet potatoes with spiced chickpeas, crispy chorizo, and garlic-herb yogurt.
This dish highlights the wine’s balance of brightness, spice, and savory energy. Roasted sweet potatoes offer natural sweetness that complements the red fruit in the wine, while the spiced chickpeas mirror its earthy, herbal notes. Crispy chorizo adds a smoky-salty edge, and the garlic-herb yogurt brings cooling acidity to match the wine’s lift. Bold, warming, and deeply satisfying.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Grenache is a widely planted grape variety that thrives in its Mediterranean home. In Spain, it's known as Garnacha, where it reaches its peak in the Sierra de Gredos as a pure varietal wine, while also being a key blending component in Rioja. France's Southern Rhône, notably Châteauneuf-du-Pape, is another well-known region, where Grenache is often the base of a blended wine. Grenache also finds a home in Sardinia as Cannonau, and it has spread beyond its Mediterranean origins, most famously to Australia's Barossa Valley. The resulting wines are typically light in color, yet they possess a full body and flavor, displaying mature red fruit notes, herbal spices, and often a hint of orange peel, along with soft tannins and moderate acidity. It is an incredibly versatile grape, showing different expressions based on its terroir and the winemaking style employed.
Grenache
Certified Organic farming is an agricultural practice where vineyards adhere to strict regulations prohibiting the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Instead, certified organic growers rely on natural alternatives, including compost, cover crops, and beneficial insects, to nourish the soil and manage pests. Certification requires compliance with established organic standards, typically verified by third-party agencies such as USDA Organic in the United States or EU Organic in Europe. This method emphasizes ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainability, aiming to produce high-quality grapes and wines while reducing environmental impact and promoting long-term vineyard health. Organic farming is not allowed to use Glyphosate.
