A Mexican and a New South Welshman met in a study hall, caught up for a beer on a Friday night, and plotted a plan which led them to become the biggest Aussie exporters of wine to Mexico.
More than a decade later, with their pallets now more-matured, the pair of McLaren Vale winemakers are opening a quaint cellar-door to share the fruits of their labour – in liquid form.
Somos Cellar Door is the culmination of a University bromance for Ben Caldwell and Mauricio Ruiz Cantu who are all about “fun, energetic and unique small-batch wines, with minimal intervention”.
Somos’ marketing manager and master of all things except wine-making, Justin White, said the quaint little cottage perched overlooking the region’s picturesque vineyards is a quiet, intimate spot offering tastings from three different brands created by Ben and Mauricio.
When the duo first “toyed” with the idea of exporting Australian wine to Mauricio’s home country, Mexico, they launched “Juguetto” – the Spanish word for toy.
“The Juguetto range focuses on some old wine classics, which are enjoyed in restaurants throughout Mexico, where Ben and Mauricio are quite well-known,” Justin said.
Juguetto has just marked its 11th vintage, and continues to be distributed in Mexico, with Mauircio’s family on the ground pitching sales, which have risen over the years from 150 to 15,000 cases.
In 2015, new brand, Somos was born, focusing on alternate varieties and keeping wines as natural as possible, with fruits mostly from McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, and small parcels from Langhorne and SA’s Riverland.
A third brand, Seven Eves, was released in 2019, after an “SOS” from the eastern states experiencing a Pinot Gris crisis due to “smokey tainted” grapes after the bushfires.
“A whole new brand was launched as there was no Pinot in our portfolio,” Justin said.
“It wasn’t something that matched the ethos of Somos. So a new brand was created.”
“The Pinot Gris, which is sourced from Macclesfield, is a classic French variety, showcasing the very underrated Macclesfield region.”
Somos brand new cellar door will open on June 2 with a “community party” for family and friends in the industry, before opening to the public Fridays to Mondays 11am to 4pm, or contact Somos to book an appointment and get the Royal treatment.
Somos Cellar Door
Where: 333 Foggo Road, McLaren Flat
Find out more: Click here
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