Aldo Quesada shows off young grape plants of various varietals in a greenhouse

These ancient grapes may be the future of wine

Extreme heat and extreme drought in Baja California are pushing some winemakers to explore a very old—and very climate-adaptable—varietal. The results are delicious.

Aldo Quesada shows off young vines in a greenhouse at Viñas del Tigre. Quesada currently has around 25 grape-producing misión vines and is ready to plant another 300—or maybe more—this year. Misión grapes, called mission in English, are super hardy and drought tolerant. Winemakers worldwide are rediscovering the varietal, brought to the Americas some 500 years ago by Spanish missionaries. Creative young vintners in Europe, Mexico, Chile, the U.S., and beyond are experimenting with ways to make mission wines that appeal to modern wine drinkers. 

Read This Next

Tannins? Egg whites? Fish bladders? Here’s what’s in your wine
Dionysus, Greek god of wine, was more than just a 'party god'
Here’s what extreme heat does to the body

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet