Tag Archives: Bodega Del sur Winery

The First Carmesi Label

bright red, somewhat darkened with blue; purple”. Its use in naming our wine goes back to the imagination and dreams of a 10-year-old girl in El Salvador. To me it meant wonder, delight, fantastic mystery. It was a word I heard in music and read in poetry. It was a word I fell in love with. So, when the time came to name our new red wine, the “word” and a fantastic idea came to life.The word “Carmesi” not only described this mysteriously, romantic, red wine with just a hint of blue, it was a perfect word to use in honoring the memories of my mother and mother-in-law – two very important women in my life. Thus, the first vintage of Carmesi carried a composite image of these two women and was named for them – Maria Alicia. But why limit it to these two women? Why not honor all those strong women who have inspired and made an impression on all of us? Just as poets and song writers have been honoring noble women with their poems and music over the centuries, Bodega del Sur wants to honor them with their wine.The era I chose to depict on the labels is approximately 1900 to the 1930s; a time when women were asserting themselves and making their strengths known. As the blend changes, different women will adorn the Carmesi label.With our most recent vintage of Carmesi we have a new figure adorning our label. Her name is Amparo?

Who is Amparo and why is she on the label? With the huge success of our first bottling of Carmesi, my husband, Victor and I searched long and hard for an image of another Latin woman who would convey both strength and beauty. The search ended in a family album of a friend and neighbor. There she was – Amparo Ramos. She was 15 years old when the photo was taken in 1894 in Sonora, Mexico, but her inner confidence and strength was already apparent. She went on to marry and have children, but after that the trail is lost. It wasn’t until long after the figure of Amparo had been chosen that it became apparent how appropriate the choice really was. The Spanish name “Amparo” translates to “protection or shelter”. While showing strong women on a wine label fulfilled part of my dream, it did not satisfy my desire to help women – and children – in need. Prior to opening Bodega del Sur, I worked as a schoolteacher where I witnessed women and children in trouble. I did what I could then, but it was limited. Now I have a chance to provide direct assistance.

Portions of the sale of each bottle of Carmesi are donated to charitable organizations that assist needy women and their children. The Resource Connection has been chosen to receive the donations from the sale of this 2008 vintage of the Carmesi.