Try the Wines at Casa Bichi

This one-of-a-kind winery belongs to the Téllez family including acclaimed chef Jair Téllez (Verde y Crema, Laja, Merotoro). They produce pure, unmodified wine, without added chemicals, using natural yeast. Noel Téllez, who is in charge of managing the vines and the winemaking process, explains that “we are looking for various things: freshness, authenticity and uniqueness.”

The winery’s own name reflects their interesting mission—“Bichi” in local Sonora slang means naked. And this is how the wines could be described; stripped of anything artificial. These wines are the purest expression of the earth below. If you’ve ever wondered what the wine at the Marriage at Cana might have tasted like, it was probably similar to that of Casa Bichi. The wines are even stored in jars, much like in Galilee 2,000 years ago.

Casa Bichi has various labels: varieties such as the aromatic Rosa del Perú, made only with Nebbiolo grapes. There are also mixed bottles such as Flama Roja, combining Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. There is also the sparkling Pet Nat, which is not made in the champagne method, but the ancient way.

The move to natural wines has been very well received, with 80% of sales going for export, and the wines served in prestigious restaurants such as Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in New York.

Part of the new winemaking philosophy is also letting go of glamour. Above all, this is a place of work. Groups of visitors are welcomed, but simply sit beneath an ancient oak tree and enjoy the bottles they buy. Nothing more, nothing less.