Bodegas de Santo Tomas Established 1888 Located in Ensenada,
Baja California Norte Phone Number 646-178-3333 Web Page none
Tasting Room Daily, Tours 11am, 1 & 3 pm. (tour charge) Current
Production 85,000 acres Vineyard Size 865 acres property, 420
acres in vines The origin of Santo Tomas is inextricably tied to
the Spanish mission movement in Mexico. Whenever a new mission
was established in the New World, vineyards were planted and
sacramental wine was made. By the time they decided to found a
mission just south of Ensenada, the Dominican order was in
charge. In 1791 they named it the Mission of Saint Tomas
Aquinas, located in what is today the Valle de Santo Tomas. This
valley turned out to be a very favorable location for both the
mission and sacramental wine production. In 1857, the Mexican
government expropriated all church property and the land was
sold off. In 1888 it was bought by two Ensenada businessmen, Don
Francisco de Andonegui and Don Miguel Ormart, who founded
Bodegas de Santo Tomas and began