Among the many Californians who invested in the early days of our wine industry, Mexican immigrants were right there harvesting and producing their own bottles, paying homage to both their native country and adopted home. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, check out a few of the Golden State wineries with family roots in Mexico. Here are some favorites profiled by 7×7:
Mi Sueño Winery
“At the age of 15, Roland Herrera left his home in Michoacán, Mexico for a shot at the American dream in the Napa Valley. Beginning as a humble harvest laborer for Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, over the years Herrera clawed his way up the winemaker’s chain, from cellar master to assistant winemaker at Chateau Potelle to winemaker at Vine Cliff Winery. In 1997, newlywed Herrera and his wife, Lorena, began Mi Sueño Winery (Spanish for “my dream”) as a “side project.” Within two years, Mi Sueño’s chardonnay was making its debut at the White House, served for a state dinner in honor of then-Mexican-President Vicente Fox.”
Maldonado Vineyards
“This Napa Valley winery began with Lupe Maldonado, another immigrant from Michoacán, Mexico, who purchased 10 acres of land in Jamieson Canyon after years working the vineyards of others. After attending U.C. Davis’ acclaimed program in viticulture and enology, Lupe’s son, Hugo, joined the operation. For the last 20 years, they’ve farmed the original plot of Carneros land, built a wine cave, and overseen winemaking at Maldonado together.”
Discover more Mexican-American winemakers here.
