Sabor Patrol find love at Symmetría
In Valle de Guadalupe, some wineries try way too hard to seem important. Symmetria doesn’t have to. It doesn’t shout—it speaks in soft sips, kind gestures, and balanced bottles. And once you try it, you’re in.
We first crossed paths at a Provino press event a few years ago. That’s when we met Lola, a modest-looking bottle that hit different. Fresh, smooth, balanced. A year later, at the Muestra del Vino in 2024, we tasted it again. Still magical. That’s when we realized: Symmetria wasn’t a fad—it was a quiet revolution. The only problem? We had no idea where to find them again.
The Secret Ingredient: Balance
So what won us over? Their wines feel grounded—balanced enough to show skill, but never flashy. You can tell a barrel was involved, but it doesn’t try to dominate the room. Just enough to whisper “I’ve got your back”, not “I’ve got something to prove.”
Everything made sense after talking to Mauricio and Denise Soler, the couple behind the label. He’s the winemaker with a mission. She’s the force behind every label, sale, post, and good vibe. Their story started in Valle, but it wasn’t at Symmetria—it was when they became a couple around Monte Xanic. From the beginning, this was Mauricio’s dream, and Denise was right there building it with him, step by step.
From Vision to Vineyard
Their journey began in 2005, when the Soler family purchased a 5-acre property in the heart of the valley. Symmetria officially launched with the 2014 harvest—but long before that, Mauricio was already mapping out something bold.
While others followed tradition, he took a different route. Instead of studying winemaking locally, he enrolled in the Enology and Viticulture program at U.C. Fresno. After graduating, he gained real-world experience in the U.S., taking on key roles at several top wineries:
- Artesa Winery (Cellar Worker/Lab Tech)
- Roederer Estate (Enologist/Assistant Winemaker)
- Maui Winery (Winemaker)
- Longoria Winery (Associate Winemaker)
Each stop added depth. After years of learning and unlearning, Mauricio returned to Baja to pour it all into Symmetria. And now? He’s earned a spot on the “Wineries/Winemakers To Watch” list—and deservedly so.
A Logo with a Story
Their name comes from the Greek word for “balance,” but with a Baja twist. Their wines are global in style, but proudly local in roots. And their logo? A hummingbird for Denise’s grandmother, and a deer for Mauricio’s father. Two symbols, branded on every barrel, that tell the story of family, nature, vision, and love.
Fancy Words and Ice Cubes
During our chat, they shared a tasting room story that still makes them laugh. A sommelier once said, with full flair, “This wine has notes of sotobosque.” We all cracked up. I chimed in with, “You mean like when people say ‘terruño’ instead of dirt?”
(Just so you know: sotobosque means forest undergrowth. Not a character in Star Wars.)
And if someone asks for ice in their wine? No scandal here. They just smile and say, “How many cubes would you like?” No snobbery. Just enjoyment.
Pairings, Myths, and Grapes with Personality
We asked what pairing the wine snobs might hate—but they secretly love. Their answer?
Sparkling wine with pork rinds. No shame. Just crunch and bubbles. And they’re clear on the order of things: food first, wine second.
Favorite grape to work with? Chenin Colombard.
Most rebellious? Zinfandel. “It’s wild,” they laugh. “But fun.”
And the best part of the process? Mauricio jokes: “Drinking it!”
But truthfully, they love every step. Like that time at Tre Galline, when they opened a ten-year-old bottle of their own and found it full of memories. For them, wine is a time capsule you can pour.
So how much of winemaking is magic, and how much is nature?
“95 to 99% is nature,” says Mauricio. “The rest? Just patience.”
Oh—and they’re also working on a Nebbiolo that sounds like it might steal the spotlight. But we’ll save that for our next visit.
The Road Ahead: Growing with Soul
When asked what’s next for Symmetria, Mauricio was clear:
“We want to grow—but with intention. We don’t want to be a massive winery. We want to stay soulful. If someone comes back in 20 years, they should feel exactly what they feel today.”
Denise added:
“And we want to keep learning. You never fully master wine. Each year teaches something new. We want to grow as a family and as a team.”
That kind of mindset? You can taste it. They don’t bottle just to sell. If a wine doesn’t live up to their standards—it doesn’t go out. Period.
Your Next Favorite Bottle
Here are a few bottles to keep an eye out for:
Eje – perfect for surviving awkward family dinners.
Luminaria Blanc de Noirs – already rocking 91 points in the Guía Peñín.
Lola – the hug-in-a-bottle you didn’t know you needed.
Wanna Try It?
📞 619 659 4707
📧 denise.g19@gmail.com
Visits are personal, small, and cozy—best for groups of up to 10. Bigger group? Let’s talk. And yes, they speak perfect English.
Spoiler alert: A Sauvignon Blanc is coming—and it’s shaping up to be as juicy as a harvest-day rumor.
Symmetria exports 70% of their sparkling wines to the U.S. (Arizona, California, Nevada, Minnesota…), but you can also order online through La Competencia Imports.
And if you happen to see a roadrunner on the way there… don’t ignore it. For Mauricio and Denise, it’s a sign that something good is quietly fermenting.
