Clos de Tres Cantos #86
A Conscious Winery Rooted in Nature
Sustainable, Solidary and Socially Responsible Winery
Joaquin Moya and Maria Benitez, a professional couple who share a love for books, cooking, art and wine decided one day to learn winemaking and offer their creations to friends at cultural gatherings they hosted at home. Later, they left their life in Mexico City to build a retreat project: Clos de Tres Cantos, a sustainable, solidary and socially responsible winery located in Valle de Guadalupe. Wine as a common thread facilitated the development of a holistic project blending viticulture, oenology, gastronomy, music and visual arts; a unique melting pot of creativity to experience the magic of wine. They envisioned a conscious approach to winemaking, recognizing and relating to the surrounding reality. A mix of philosophy and ecosophy that invites listening to nature and acting accordingly inspired their vision: “Creating Experiences that bring us closer to Nature.” At Clos de Tres Cantos, wine is the blood that emanates from the earth, done under the rhythm dictated by the passion and dedication of an entire team aligned with its Code of Ethics, which is based on three main pillars: For the Planet, For the People and For the Community. Policies and action plans converge in a present reality and evolve daily to perpetuate themselves over time and leave a legacy for future generations.
Facing Climate Change by Nature-Based Solutions
Faced with the changing climate conditions affecting the valley – very high temperatures together with sporadic rains during summer and a lack of rainfall in winter – Clos de Tres Cantos is adapting to these changes by adopting nature-based solutions. The grape varieties planted when the winery was founded in 2011 were rooted ones, long forgotten but rediscovered and highly appreciated because are the best suited to the terroir and the best positioned to adapt to climate change and better preserves typicality.
Working With the Land: Soil Health and Water Stewardship
Sustainable agriculture is practiced in the vineyard, based on maintaining soil health using seaweed extract, humus and compost, which increase the resilience of the vines, along with the use of cover crops to fix nitrogen and promote soil moisture. All these practices, combined with no-till farming and mulching, achieve an improved ecosystem and biodiversity, with all processes focused on respecting the land and its people.
And since the environment is semidesert, water management is a determining factor at Clos de Tres Cantos. In addition to using root irrigation in 50% of the vineyard, regenerative hydrography is also practiced contributing to the recovery of the water table. For this purpose, an artificial wetland was constructed under sponsorship of the Rio Arronte Foundation and the University of Baja California. Its purpose is to capture and filter rainwater and runoff from the mountains, improving the aquifer levels, creating a source of biodiversity, and ultimately leading to a reduction in CO₂ levels.
A Monastery of Stone and Second-Life Materials
The winery, built entirely with local, natural and reused materials to which a second life has been given, takes the form of a timeless monastery, designed by Mexican architect Alejandro D´Acosta. It adheres to sustainable and biophilic architectural principles, where the buildings harmonize with the surrounding landscape, enhancing the well-being and health of visitors and staff, and minimizing the carbon footprint.
The walls are made of flagstone from a local mine, the iron work is salvaged from ships, the woods are of beams from old houses, and the windows are made from used wine bottles. Waste is not an option at Clos de Tres Cantos. The result is a magical place that surprises visitors at any corner of it.
Crafting Honest Wines and Building Global Partnerships
The winery is fully equipped for the complete “from vineyard to glass” process, and under the guidance of winemaker Thomas Egli, the team develops award-winning wines with minimal intervention, including the natural Pet-Nat MeFlipa from Grenache. Clos de Tres Cantos also collaborates with MIT, UTEP and local universities on sustainable initiatives, holds SRC certification, belongs to the Slow Wine Community, and is the first Mexican winery to join the global Porto Protocol movement.
Wine as an Experience: Philosophy and Wine, a Crossroads
Joaquin and Maria feel that when Clos de Tres Cantos opens its doors, it touches the lives of its visitors, and therefore understands that it is their responsibility to transform the art of wine into an experience that can be shared with family and friends. The visit begins with a tour of the winery, where visitors learn about the winemaking processes, immerse themselves in the discovery of the architecture of the place, and explore the collection of 18th century sacred art that guards the barrels in the temple of the wine.
The Tasting Room is a crossroads between philosophical thought and the sensory enjoyment of wine. The wine labels have philosophical names, each representing an emotion that Joaquin and Maria felt during its creation, thus opening a dialog and a journey to discovery towards Resilience, Nothing, Doubt, Noesis… with the idea of allowing visitors to feel the emotion that is expressed with the wine and take it with them. Among the tastings, unique and unforgettable experiences stand out, such as pairings with chocolates, sensory tastings, experimental wines and the Grenache varietal line. All include four wines and complementary sourdough bread and extra virgin olive oil from the winery. The venue and its surroundings invite you to savor the wine slowly and deliberately, allowing the calm and tranquility to envelop visitors and inspire them.
While sharing a glass of wine and good conversation, they can contemplate nature and the unfolding life that surrounds them. And so that the experience does not end there, at the end of the day you can enjoy a delicious meal at the Ariete Restaurant with the Chef Abraham Sepulveda, focused on local and seasonal cuisine. And why not, as night falls, relax in one of the two individual and exclusive cabanas. Thanks to the view of the vineyards and mountains, and the friendly service and personalized attention, guests can feel like being at their own vineyard, without the hustle and bustle of the big city, thus guaranteeing a stay full of peace and serenity in communion with nature.
Reviews
“Clos de Tres Cantos is a unique and wonderful place that blends sustainable architecture with a deep respect for environmental and the local community. Built with recycled materials and designed to feel like a modern monastery, it offers a peace and mystical atmosphere. Every time I visit I can enjoy quality time with family and friends, outstanding service, and commitment to responsible wine consumption. I highly recommend as an ideal place to experience tranquility, nature contact and unforgettable moments.”
“We have come to the Valle de Guadalupe several times, and this winery is a MUST! Everything is amazing, from the wines (our all-time favorite is Nada, but the new PetNat is spectacular!), the staff is super friendly, the architecture is like some beautiful pyramids, and they have a hallway made of empty bottles where we always take photos. We will definitely keep coming back every time we visit!”