Bichi La Santa 2022

Bichi, established in 2014 by brothers Noel and Jair Téllez, is a pioneering natural wine producer in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. The name "Bichi," meaning "naked" in the Sonoran Yaqui dialect, reflects their commitment to minimal-intervention winemaking. The Téllez family, originally from Sonora, relocated to Baja, California, to explore the region's rich viticultural heritage. They focus on reviving old, dry-farmed vineyards, some over a century old, cultivating indigenous and lesser-known grape varieties such as Misión (Listán Prieto), Rosa del Peru (Moscatel Negro), and Tempranillo. Bichi's approach emphasizes organic and biodynamic farming practices, spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, and aging in neutral vessels, avoiding filtration and fining to preserve the wine's authentic expression. Their distinctive labels, featuring whimsical illustrations of luchadores (Mexican wrestlers), capture the brand's playful spirit and cultural roots. Bichi's wines have garnered international acclaim for their vibrant character and unique representation of Mexican terroir, positioning them as a leading force in the country's natural wine movement.

Mexico has a centuries-long history of winemaking that has mostly gone under the radar. Spanish conquistadores planted vines in the early 1500s, before both Chile and Argentina, and Baja California represents about 90% of the vines in the entire country due to the ideal climate and geography. Brothers Noel & Jair Tellez, with the help of Chilean (by way of Burgundy) winemaker Louis-Antoine Luyt, are producing amazingly fresh and energetic wines from very old, recently recovered vineyards of Misión (aka Listán Prieto), Rosa del Peru (aka Moscatel Negro), Tempranillo and Carinena, among other varieties.