A Fermentation of Love
Geraldine Zialcita
Known to be a common staple in every gathering, event, or simply, the dinner table, the true ingredients of fine wine are fermented with joy, blended with blessings, and flavored with harmony. For Noe Taojo, fondly known as Butchoy, and his wife, Caroline identified as Bing among their peers, wine gathers family and friends together, signifies growth and transformation, and is a lifestyle filled with memories.
Butchoy and Bing are founders of Hexat Mining Corporation, nestled in Davao-de-Oro in the Mindanao region in the Philippines. During the 80s, the gold rush compelled Butchoy to start his quest for gold which cascaded from the river in Compostela Valley. Starting from humble beginnings, Hexat Mining Corporation has evolved into two flourishing milling plants that have been operating for 27 years now. The couple has four children who are actively involved in their mining business. “Mining has always been our life―the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg.”
Butchoy and Bing are partners in everything, ranging from business to love. The power couple are proud grandparents and spends their quality time trotting the globe. Their wanderlust has taken them to Bordeaux in the Southwest of France, Spain, Tuscany, and the Amalfi coast in Italy. “While on vacation, we had the opportunity to spend time at the vineyards and taste the local wine paired with our meals. We noticed that everyone in Europe drinks wine and this left an everlasting impression on us.”
Back home, Butchoy enjoys drinking assorted types of liquor ranging from beer, cognac, and brandy, to wine while he entertains his guests. After further trips to Europe with more wine bottles consumed, Butchoy and Bing realized how much they enjoyed the lifestyle and experience and how wine resonated with them. “We learned to appreciate the value and taste of wine and this sparked the idea of creating our own label―Napa de Oro. Beneath our fondness for wine, lay a dream—a wish to replicate the experience and lifestyle derived from our European travels.”
Crossing through Napa Valley, California, the couple visited an array of majestic vineyards and wineries and devoured tasting the wine selections while enjoying the breathtaking view. Although Bing was not solely convinced about engaging in the wine business, Butchoy’s passion continued to haunt him. After conducting his due diligence, Butchoy collaborated with Atty. Abe Marapao who has a law firm located in Koreatown and practices law in California and the Philippines to develop their dream business―a vineyard and winery that reverberated their passion and would define the Philippine culture. “Atty. Marapao and I used to work together when he was then employed in a government agency that dealt with miners. We got reconnected after his migration to the US and realized that our common passion for wine could benefit a business partnership. Atty. Marapao takes care of all the legalities and represents the business when we are not around.”
Atty. Marapao is delighted to share the same passion as the Taojo’s and believes their partnership stems from a strong foundation they built in the past. “After practicing law for 38 years―half of that time in California, I find vineyard farming and wine production less stressful and calming. It makes you forget about the daily grind in the legal field. Soon, I will eventually leave the practice of law to the younger attorneys and will concentrate on making the Napa de Oro brand famous not only in California but also in the Philippines.
Butchoy, Bing, and Atty. Marapao sought expertise from a winemaker consultant Rudy Zuidema who graduated with a degree in Plant Science and Agriculture Management focusing on Viticulture at UC Davis and with 30 years of experience in the industry. Rudy advised them to create their own brand before finding a vineyard. In October 2019, they purchased a 6-acre property in the heart of Coombsville to develop an estate wine of 2 acres to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. “They actually closed the deal without my knowledge, but for me not to get upset, but for me not to get upset and upon Rudy’s suggestion, they customized a red blend in my honor—a peace offering—Caroline’s Red Blend.”
Forging ahead, the business partners conceptualized a brand that would represent their mining profession while also defining the Filipino heritage. With the Philippine flag silhouette and Mt. Apo as the backdrop, Napa de Oro was born. Oro means gold in Spanish, and for them, this symbolizes the success and longevity they wish to establish with their wines. Eight golden rays planted around the sun embody the first 8 provinces that went to war against the Spaniards―Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The three stars stand for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. “In 2020, we released our first batch of wines, and despite not owning a vineyard, we were granted the privilege of purchasing a tank to produce wine with our customized label. This was our first production—one season, and we are grateful for the positive feedback from our friends and family.”
Pushing the envelope, Butchoy yearned to acquire a vineyard since this felt more rewarding. After two years of avidly searching for an ideal property, Butchoy, Bing, and Atty. Marapao became proud owners of a 10-acre vineyard and winery in a strategic location on Highway 29 along Napa Valley, California. The historic property contains 50-year-old vines previously owned by Tudal Estate and in operation since 1972. “We generated our second batch of wine from this vineyard. Following Rudy’s counsel, our brand specializes in a boutique-style approach. We are more personalized and focus on a deeper premium concentrate matched with supreme quality. We are less about commercialization and believe in the intensity of the flavors vs. mass-producing.”
Whether you’re searching for a subtle taste or an intense flavor for your palate, Napa de Oro carries eight varietals of wine―Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Grenache, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caroline’s Red Blend, Au79 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa de Oro’s wines have captured the interest of wine lovers and won the “Double Gold Award” and acclaimed “Best in Class” at the 2021 OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition. Napa de Oro wines create a statement with their ambrosial fragrance, polished with elegance, which equalizes beauty and mystery. “Butchoy’s favorites are White wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. My favorite is definitely Caroline’s Red Blend.”
Napa de Oro grants the privilege of being part of the Karat Wine Club which offers two types of membership: the 14K and the 24K. Member benefits include decreased prices on shipments, invitations to Karat Club events, access to large format bottles, and two annual private tastings for up to six people at the estate vineyard house. Napa de Oro consists of a wine tasting venue where people can gather together and indulge in their wine selections. They have also revamped the existing home and garden and will be constructing a bigger state-of-the-art winery to feature their wines and depict the Philippine culture and history. “We are still in the initial stages and plan to keep the bigger house as our family home. The second house will serve as a guesthouse where family and friends can enjoy the wine and amenities.”
While they are in the Philippines, Atty. Marapao oversees the day-to-day management and administrative functions which involve marketing and organizing events. “Right now, we are in the process of expanding and modernizing the winery which needs a constant interface with engineers, architects, and planners.”
Blazing the trail, the business partners beam with pride and joy distinguishing a Filipino -owned winery. “I raised the Philippine flag alongside the United States and Napa de Oro flags. We love the idea of acquiring access to refined wine in its best state. Since wines are very sensitive, we take pride in keeping our wines fresh. We ensure that handling is secure within a stable and accurate temperature. The ability to customize wine according to our desires is enriching.”
Butchoy and Bing keep a healthy work-life balance by working hard and playing hard. “The winery is where we get to taste the fruits of our labor. Although we are fairly new in the wine industry, we believe the acquisition of the estate makes a sound investment as well. We wanted to create a destination for our friends and family to enjoy. We don’t only offer fine wine―Napa de Oro serves to be the gateway to a deluxe lifestyle and memorable experience.”
Aside from their mining business and winery, Butchoy engages in different types of sports. For the past thirty years, Butchoy spends three times a week teeing off on the golf course. He also loves recreational diving and exploring the rich coral reefs of Davao-de Oro and the amazing marine life in Tubbataha Reef in Palawan. When he’s not underwater, Butchoy enjoys a bird’s-eye view while paragliding. Bing, on the other hand, finds joy in painting during her free time. Butchoy and Bing value their close-knit family and relationship. “We always eat, pray, and go to church together. Everything we do and all the decisions we make are done as a family. As parents, we have instilled the values of kindness, humility, and compassion. We thank God for everything.”
To express gratitude and share their blessings, Butchoy and Bing are active in their philanthropic work supporting the Gawad Kalinga organization where they have built several houses for the less fortunate. Their community service includes a regular pledge to Child Protection Network Foundation focusing on helping abused children all over the country. The dynamic couple has supported in constructing public school buildings located in remote Barangays, chapels and major churches. And yet beyond these institutional donations, the kind of charity that comes most naturally to them is founded on personal relationships. Living in a tight-knit community, a typical day for the couple involves defraying unexpected costs of friends, neighbors, workers, and strangers at times, from medical expenses to aid for families who lost a loved one.
While the mining business serves to be the backbone of their success, Napa de Oro is an expression of their passion, a celebration of life and many blessings, and a legacy for the future generation—A Fermentation of Love.