I recently had the opportunity to interview Hans Backhoff, a second-generation winemaker who is a leading light in the Mexican wine industry. He is the CEO of Monte Xanic and also the President of the Mexican Viticulture Council (CMV).
We talked about his early years growing up on the family estate in Ensenada, his time studying oenology in Bordeaux, and how he is taking advantage of the region's terroir to make great wines.
Prior to his appointment as CEO at Monte Xanic, a winery his Father co-founded in 1987, Hans held various positions within well-known wineries including Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Calon-Ségur and with the Chalone Wine Group in California.
In the interview, he also talks about the unique expression of Sauvignon Blanc in the Valle de Guadalupe, the potential Mexico's other wine-producing areas hold and he even shares some of his favourite food & wine pairings. I hope you enjoy it!
About Monte Xanic
Monte Xanic is considered Mexico's first boutique winery. Located in the Valle de Guadalupe, which today is the largest wine producing area of Mexico, it was founded by five partners with the aim of making the best wine possible in the country.
With approximately 100 hectares of vines, the winery produces about 60,000 cases per year under four major labels: Gran Ricardo, Ediciones Limitadas, Monte Xanic and Monte Xanic Calixa.
The interesting name 'Xanic' comes from the indigenous Cora people, from Nayarit, Mexico, and means a "flower blooming after the first rain."
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