wine country

Today more than 90% of Mexico's table wines are produced on the valleys of San Vicente, Santo Tomás and Guadalupe, all located in the municipality of Ensenada. The Guadalupe Valley, located 50 miles southeast of San Diego, is a center of the Mexican wine craft. It offers an incredible cultural experience and will take you back in time to when the love and passion for the art of winemaking were the primary drivers for the winemakers.

Each August, the wine growers of Ensenada celebrate the harvest with a series of events highlighting the culture of wine. The festival is usually held during the first few weeks in August. The Fiestas de la Vendimia lasts for 10 days in early August and gives you a chance to sample the young vintages.

We highly recommend a tour though the vineyard of the Valle de Guadalupe during your stay in Baja. This can be done with an excellent tour guide that can be arranged through the Baja Concierge at our office or try the first timers self guided tour at the end of this section.

 Guadalupe Valley Vineyards

      

LA CETTO

 Santo Thomas 

  Château Camoun 

 Monte Xanic 

 Casa Pedro Domecq 

 Mogor Badan 

  Liceaga 

  Cavas Valmar 

Adobe Guadalupe

  Casa de Peidra 

  Vinisterra 

 Baron Balch'e 

Dona Lupe

Area Restaurants

        Mustafa 
        Laja 

SUGGESTED
SELF GUIDED TOUR

Guadalupe Valley Vineyards

L.A. Cetto

 Three generations of wine-producing excellence. LA Cetto has reached 27 international markets in a short period of time; France, Spain, Germany, US, and Canada, are only a few of the countries this excellent wines are being imported. LA Cetto has also won 150 prizes in the most prestigious wine contests in the world.

Truly the anchor of the winemaking industry in México, L.A. Cetto is an absolute must on any tour of the valley. The tasting room is a fabulous example of Mexican hospitality. Virtually every wine that Cetto makes is on display and available to taste. Generous portions of home made olive and ranch cheese are laid out for the guests of the vineyard. A gourmet deli is also staffed to allow you to purchase some of the fine wines and sample them with prosciutto ham and connoisseur cheeses.

Free wine tasting and tours daily 10am-4pm. No reservation required.

Located in Valle de Guadalupe at Km. 73.5 on Highway 3 to Tecate, tel. (01152646) 155-2264, fax (01152646) 155-2269. www.cettowines.com

Santo Thomas

Bodegas de Santo Tomas is the oldest winery in the area. Bodegas de Santo Tomas is a company with more than 100 years of tradition; five generations have being past since the arrival of it’s founder, Don Domingo Corbetto Carbone. In 1857 the first wine cellar was built, making a dream come true when in 1888 Bodegas de Santo Tomas bottle the first wine in Mexico. As of today is one of the best wine producers in America.

daily tours and wine tasting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm ($2dlls.).

Av. Miramar #666 in Ensenada,

tel. (01152646) 174-0836, (01152646) 174-0829, fax (01152646) 178-3601,

e-mail: bstwines@telnor.net

www.santo-tomas.com

Château Camou

Comments from the wine makers “At Château Camou, we are striving day-in day-out to attain a single goal: creating great wines in Mexico. That is why every decision we make is aimed at achieving excellence in this marvelous and complex art of converting grapes into wine”

Free tours and wine tasting Mon.-Fri. 10am-2pm, Sat. 10am-noon. Located in Francisco Zarco, Valle de Guadalupe, just off Highway 3 to Tecate. Large groups by appointment, tel. (01152646) 177-2221, fax (01152646) 176-0676. www.chateaucamou.com.mx

Winery Tours

A) CLARET: tour the winery (25-30 min), wine tasting at the end of the tour (3 wines from our “Flor de Guadalupe” label and 1 of our “Chateau Camou” label) . Keep the glass. $5

B) BOREAUX: tour the winery (25-30 min), wine tasting at the end of the tour (3 wines from our “Flor de Guadalupe” label , 2 of our “Chateau Camou” label and our dessert wine “El Gran Divino”). Keep the glass. $10.

C) MAGNUM*: tour with winemaker and/or owner. Tour the vineyards (15-20 mins), tour the winery with a comprehensive tasting of our wines, including barrel sampling (35-40 mins). Lunch at the end of the tour with your choice of paella, quails, ostrich or carne asada. (glass of wine included w/lunch). $40

* FOR A MAGNUM TOUR, A 15 DAY IN ADVANCE APPOINTMENT IS NEEDED AND 50% DOWN PAYMENT IS REQUIRED.  A MINIMUM OF 10 PERSONS GROUP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PACKAGE.
For Reservations email: info@ccamou.com

Monte Xanic

Wine tasting and tours (2dlls.) by appointment, tel. (01152646) 174-6769, (01152646) 174-6155, fax(01152646) 174-6848. Located in Francisco Zarco, Valle de Guadalupe, just off Highway 3 to Tecate. www.montexanic.com.mx

Casa Pedro Domecq

Casa Pedro Domecq is one of Mexico’s oldest Wine Makers.

Guided Tours & tasting, sales of Wines & Brandies. Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-1:30pm. Located in Valle de Guadalupe at Km. 73 on Highway 3 to Tecate. Free wine tasting & tours Mon.-Fri. 10am-4pm, Sat. 10am-1:30pm. Located in Valle de Guadalupe at Km. 73 on Highway 3 to Tecate, tel. (01152646) 155-2249.

www.domecq.com.mx

Mogor Badan

Mogor Badan is a small winery with a production of 600 cases of wine per year, however Mogor Badan winery makes one of the finest red wines in the region based on Cabernet Fran. Mogor Badan also makes a soft white wine based on the variety of Chasselas.

Tours and wine tasting by appointment, tel/fax (01152646) 177-1484. At Rancho El Mogor at Km. 86.5 on Highway 3 to Tecate.

Liceaga

Comments from the wine makers:

“At Vina Liceaga we capture the magic of the vineyard through our selected wines so you can enjoy… Mexico’s Fine Wine”
Wine tasting and tours Sat. 1pm by appointment, tel. (01152646) 184-0126, (01152646) 184-1184, fax (01152646) 184-0262. At Km. 93 on Highway 3 to Tecate. www.vinosliceaga.com

Cavas Valmar

A family own winery, one of the smallest and oldest wineries, founded in 1982. Cavas Valmar is well known for making wines that respect the originality of every year’s vintage by processing the wine with a minimum of human intervention. Their porpoise is to produce wines that allow nature express its generosity.
Free tours and wine tasting by appointment, tel/fax (01152646) 178-6405. Calle Ambar #810 & Riveroll in Ensenada.

Adobe Guadalupe

  Adobe Guadalupe started a dream in 1998 and had their first harvest in 2000. Adove Guadalupe is a working winery, plus a bed and breakfast with six    guest rooms. They are located in the Guadalupe Valley near Ensenada, Baja California. The philosophy of Adobe Guadalupe is to create an ambiance of harmony with nature where people can have a unique experience with wine, haute cuisine, horseback riding, swimming and Jacuzzi. Where guests can enjoy spectacular sunsets while being looked after by the cordial and warm people of the Valley of Guadalupe.

Located Parcela A-s/n Col. Ruusa de Guadalupe, municipio de Ensenada, BC. Mexico 22750 01152(646)155-2094. www.adobeguadalupe.com

Casa de Peidra

  Comments from the wine makers: “This project was born with the desire to produce an excellent wine for the enjoyment of the group of people whose interest and enthusiasm lay in the initiation of the winery. At Casa de Piedra, we have endeavored to make our "Estate Wine" using the grapes from the area and its diverse microclimates. Utilizing the latest technology combined with the expertise and sensibility of our winemakers, we have attained a level upon which, each bottle exclusively reflects the personality of the land. Eight years have passed since our first harvest, and we have received high acclaim of our wine both nationally and internationally”.

Km 93.5 Carretera Tecate Ensenada San Antonio de las Minas B.C. Ensenada Mexico 01152(646)155-3097,01152(646)156-5267. http://www.vinoscasadepiedra.com/index.html

Vinisterra

Vinasterra is a small Project with 20 hectares of vineyards focused in the elaboration of 7,000 cases of wine.

The philosophy of Vinisterra is to let the wine express the different characteristics of the region’s valleys and vineyards. This means that they have to work with extreme care every detailed when elaborating their fine wines and proudly represent Baja Californian wines. Vinisterra proudly offers three concepts of wine: Vina Domino, Vinisterra, and Macouzet.

Located at San Antonio de las Minas, Ensenada B.C. Calle Miguel Lerdo de Tejada y Riva Palacios y Vallarta # 466 Poblado de Villa de Juarez,

Tour and wine tasting by appointment only 01152(646)178-3310 and 01152(646)178-3350. http://www.vinisterra.com/

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Barón Balché their goal is to produce the best Mexican wines to satisfied the most demanding taste improving year by year the quality that characterized Baron Balche

Bodegas De Baron Balche Calle Juanita Beltran s/n Ejido Francisco Zarco, Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, B.C. 01152(646) 183-9501 http://www.baronbalche.com/

Dona Lupe

For more than 40 years, Doña Lupe´s homemade wine, and other natural products have been enjoyed by many.

“Whether you want to get away for a day or celebrate a special occasion, Doña Lupe offers a unique way to experience the real Valle de Guadalupe. Our patio can serve a home made pizza, a bottle of wine, or get a glass and try them all. Our friendly staff can also arrange everything (everything) to cater for up to 300 guests, for private parties”

Telephone: 011 52 (646) 155 2323 (646) 155 2323 52 (646) 155 2323

E-mail: info@donalupe.com

Area Restaurants

The valley is blessed with many excellent dining experiences. Many of the vinyards have special dinner nights like Adobe Guadalupe. Below I list only a few of my favorites. We will expand the list as time and experiences permit.

La Hacienda

La Hacienda is located in a lush garden setting along Guadalupe Creek and can only be described as a an essential culinary experience when visiting the valley. Sumptuous seafood dishes and savory Mexican cuisine make this the valleys most popular stop on any wine tour. Located in San Antonio de las Minas it is the perfect lunch stop in the middle of your day tour to the valley.

Location: Santos Degollado #444, San Antonio de las Minas, Off the town main street. Tel:. (646) 155-3160 (646) 155-3160 (646) 155-3160- Hours: Daily from 8:00am - 6:00pm

Mustafa

This old favorite of the valley can only be described as a collage of Moroccan and Mexican cuisine. They make a great hamburger as well. Great stop on your way home from the valley. They have a spectacular old vine offering of wine that goes great with the lamb. I highly recommend them together.

Location: Km. 93 Highway #3 Tecate-Ensenada, San Antonio de las Minas, On the highway. Hours: Open Daily 8:00am-6:00pm Phone: 52 (646) 155-3185 (646) 155-3185 52 (646) 155-3185

Laja

One of the areas most elegant and acclaimed restaurants, dinner at Laja is truly a culinary voyage. An idyllic setting among the vines greets you as you learn about what the set menu will bring you for this evening’s gastronomic adventure. Everything is farm fresh and conjured up in the valley. No finer experience can be found but make reservations as they do not take walk-ins.

Location: Km 83 Highway #3 Tecate-Ensenada, Francisco Zarco Hours: Wednesday 1:30pm to 3:30pm (last order) Thu - Sun 1:30pm to 8:30pm (last order) - Reservations REQUIRED Phone:  52 (646) 155-2556 52 (646) 155-2556Email: info@lajamexico.com Website:www.lajamexico.com

SUGGESTED SELF GUIDED TOUR

If you would like to book a wine country tour prior to your visit call the “Baja Concierge” at Baja-Rentals and they can book you with the foremost authority on the wine country of Baja, Steve Dreyden.

However, if you would like to enjoy a day “on your own” in the valley let me suggest the following agenda:

9:30 – load up the car with plenty of water and coffee to go. The scenic trip to your first stop in the valley will take about 45 minutes.

Take the scenic toll road (cuota) south past Baja Mar, through the scenic bay at Salsipuedes (notice the tuna farming) and to the Ensenada toll booth. About 4 minutes south you will see the exit for hwy 3, Tecate, Ruta del Vino. Take this road about 10 minutes east and you will be dropping into the valley near San Antonio de las Minas.

1. 10:15 - Go past town about 1 km to km93. You will see the Liceaga Vinyard on the right (south) side of the road. Great tasting room with a small charge for flights. Call them ahead and let them know you will be there about 10:15.

2. 11:00 – Go back west to the town of San Antonio de las Minas and on your left (south side) you will see a large Corona sign and an arrow with grapes. Take this road past the bridge (notice the sign for the turn to La Hacienda on your left) to the end (2 minutes) go left and turn right at the sign for Vinisterra. YOU MUST CALL FOR AN APPONTMENT. There is a small charge for tasting Set this up for 11:00. to experience a small artisan winery process. Take the full tour of the process here.

3. 12:00 - LUNCH - Go back the way you came and just before the bridge you will turn right to the road for La Hacienda restaurant. Enjoy a magical meal in the beautiful gardens here. Buy some pomegranate liquor if you like.

4. 1:30 - Head back out to the main highway and go about 20km though and past the town of Guadalupe (the only gas station on the valley is here) to km73.5. Here you will see a big sign to turn right to L.A. Cetto. The tasting room is great and has a wide variety of wines to taste free of charge. No need to set up an appointment there. The full tour is grand and presents the largest production facility in México.

5. 2:30 - Come out to the main highway and directly across the street you will see the entrance to Casa Pedro Domecq. The tour of the caves is very fun and ends in the most scenic tasting room in baja. Definitely try the brandy as this is what they are famous.

6. 3:30 - Return to the town of Guadalupe and stay to the right. Follow the signs to porvenir. The vineyards are quaint here but Monte Xanic offer spectacular wines and the grounds are beautiful. You will need to call set this up.

Head down the road west all the way till it ends at El Tigre. Go right. You will be on the free road and will drop into the la Mision river valley. This will take you to the coast and you will follow this south to the entrance to the highway. Stop at La Fonda in this area for dinner if you have anything left in the tank.

This should provide one of the most memorable days you will have ever had in Baja and it will change the way you look at the area forever… enjoy!