The beginnings of our winery occurred in 2010, when the producer Juan Carlos Ochoa had the opportunity to be accepted to take winemaking courses at the Porvenir trade station, better known as "La Escuelita"; project of the renowned winemaker from Casa de Piedra y Aborigen, which he created with the intention of supporting those who were interested in making wine. It is precisely from La Escuelita that many of the producers who have established their wineries in Valle de Guadalupe have emerged. The first production was from just two barrels, one merlot and one zinfandel which surprisingly resulted in a rich and fruity wine. The following year, 6 barrels were produced, then 12, and from then on, production increased steadily.
In 2011 our now winemaker Laura Chiappella by chance came to Mexico from Uruguay to do professional internships at the little school where she met Juan Carlos and from the beginning began to advise informally with her extensive knowledge and experience in winemaking. wine, now becoming one of the most important pillars of the winery and one of the most endearing friendships of the producer.
Our name and brand is something that attracts a lot of attention and generates a lot of curiosity and it is no wonder, neither of them fit within the classic conception of wine brands that usually have bombastic, elegant names, evoking the snobbish and the sophisticated. .
Our proposal seeks precisely to break with the idea that wine is aimed only at a segment of consumers or that it is drunk only on special occasions. Our intention is to demystify its consumption, making it accessible and easy for new generations to adopt.
It is well known that wine is one of the oldest drinks of humanity, it is estimated that it was probably produced by accident in the Bronze Age, 3000 years BC. What would wine have been like and what was man like at that time? Our brand celebrates the dedication and love for its production, the moments lived and the evolution that man has had with wine from then until now, which gives us the opportunity to open a bottle of Primate to honor him. Hence our slogan: "the evolution of man with wine".
Our name is a tribute to man as a species, homo sapiens, which precisely comes from the Primate biological family, which is why the Primate label is a human hand and we are all actually primates.
The Valle de Guadalupe together with the valleys of San Antonio, Ojos Negros, Santo Tomás, San Vicente, La Grulla, Tanamá, Las Palmas and San Valentín make up the Baja California wine route. In 1840 the Dominican friars established the Mission of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Norte on one of its plateaus, which gave its name to the valley that bears his name.
Its climate is Mediterranean, which due to its distance from the coast (25 km) is a bit more extreme, with very hot and dry summers, no rain but with a breeze at night from the coast, mild and slightly cold winters.
The Valle de Guadalupe is equivalent in extension to two thirds of Napa Valley and produces more than 80% of Mexico's wine with more than 3 thousand hectares of vines planted with more than 30 varietals, however there are 5 that have the most significant production: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo and Chenin Blanc.
In addition to good wine, Valle de Guadalupe offers excellent gastronomy, high-level accommodation, and beautiful landscapes.
El Valle de Guadalupe junto con los valles de San Antonio, Ojos Negros, Santo Tomás, San Vicente, La Grulla, Tanamá, las Palmas y San Valentín conforman la ruta del vino de Baja California. En 1840 los frailes dominicos establecieron en una de sus mesetas la Misión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Norte, lo que le dio nombre al valle que lleva su nombre.
Su clima es mediterráneo, que por su lejanía a la cosa (25 kms) es un poco mas extremoso, con veranos muy calurosos y secos, sin lluvias pero con brisa en las noches proveniente de la costa, inviernos suaves y ligeramente fríos.
El Valle de Guadalupe equivale en extensión a dos tercios de Napa Valley y produce mas del 80% del vino de México con mas de 3 mil hectáreas de vid plantadas de mas de 30 varietales, sin embargo son 5 los que tienen producción mas significativa: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo y Chenin Blanc.
Además de buen vino, el Valle de Guadalupe ofrece excelente gastronomía, alojamiento de alto nivel y hermosos paisajes.
Juan Carlos Ochoa originario de Mexicali, además de ser reconocido empresario y buen amante del vino, es Sommelier por el Culinary Art School de Tijuana, BC.
Su primer encuentro en el mundo vinicultor se dio en el 2010, cuando tuvo la oportunidad de ingresar a “La Escuelita” en el Ejido del Porvenir, un proyecto en el que se enseña a producir vino de forma artesanal.
Motivado por su gusto al vino, Juan Carlos descubre una de sus grandes pasiones, la producción de vino.
Involucrado en todo momento y dejando su huella en cada una de sus mezclas, Juan Carlos disfruta de cada experiencia que el ser productor de vino acompaña, la próxima vez que estés en un evento de vino no dudes en preguntarle su experiencia recorrida con Primate, seguro te encarará su fabulosa historia.
Laura Chiappella estudió enología en su tierra natal Uruguay, en la Escuela Superior de Vitivincultura Presidente Tomás Berreta, hizo un curso de enología y una especialidad en micro biología en la Université de la Mediterranée en Francia.
Ha trabajado en vendimias en su propia vinícola familar y en otras mas de ese país, además de Lynmar winery y DeLoach vineyards en Estados Unidos y Rovero en Italia.
Dedica la mayoría de su tiempo a su proyecto propio llamado Altotinto, una vinícola mexicana muy prestigiada y a seguir atendiendo los vinos de la vinícola que fundó su abuelo en Uruguay llamada J. Chiappella, además de criar a sus dos hermosas hijas.
Juan Carlos Ochoa, originally from Mexicali, in addition to being a renowned businessman and good wine lover, is a Sommelier from the Culinary Art School of Tijuana, BC.
His first encounter in the winemaking world occurred in 2010, when he had the opportunity to join “La Escuelita” in the Ejido del Porvenir, a project in which he taught how to produce wine in an artisanal way.
Motivated by his taste for wine, Juan Carlos discovers one of his great passions, wine production.
Involved at all times and leaving his mark on each of his blends, Juan Carlos enjoys every experience that being a wine producer accompanies. The next time you are at a wine event, don't hesitate to ask him about his experience with Primate, for sure. It will confront you with its fabulous story.
Laura Chiappella studied oenology in her homeland Uruguay, at the Presidente Tomás Berreta Superior School of Viticulture, took a course in oenology and a specialty in microbiology at the Université de la Mediterranée in France.
He has worked in vintages in his own family winery and in others in that country, as well as Lynmar winery and DeLoach vineyards in the United States and Rovero in Italy.
He dedicates most of his time to his own project called Altotinto, a highly prestigious Mexican winery, and to continue serving the wines of the winery that his grandfather founded in Uruguay called J. Chiappella, as well as raising her two beautiful daughters.
Laura is not only an experienced winemaker, but she has that special talent that cannot be learned, like great chefs make delicious dishes with what is at hand. Laura is definitely the best kept secret in Valle de Guadalupe.
