Explore Mexico’s Wine Mecca, Located Just 2 Hours Across the Border

Valle de Guadalupe is a mecca for fine wines and exquisite Baja Med cuisine, with plenty of boutique resort options, too.

Over the past few old age , award - win California wine regions likeNapa , Sonoma , andTemecula Valleyhave seen firm rivalry for visitor . Less than two hours in the south of San Diego on the Baja California peninsula , Valle de Guadalupe has become one of — if not the — red-hot wine region in the West . Around 75 % of the wine produced in Mexico is made in Baja , California , with the overwhelming majority of it in the Valle de Guadalupe . Tucked between Ensenada beach and stunning pile ranges , Valle ’s gorgeous “ Ruta del Vino ” is approximately 35 miles long , with over 100 winery and dozens of boundary - pushing eatery offering experiences that ca n’t be replicated in the States .

It ’s a middling quick and easy drive , as long as you do n’t hear to cross during upsurge hour or come home on a Sunday good afternoon — control thehistorical border wait timesbefore you go . Whether you want to spend a recollective weekend eating and savour wine-colored or finding a slightly less gluttonous adventure , here are the best thing to do in Valle de Guadalupe .

Where to sip

Any road you travel down in the Valle will belike bluster multiple arrows point toward wineries and vinery . Those who dislike preparation can easily skip around to discover impressive spots . But it ’s still fairly of an up - and - make out region — despite its 200 - yr - winemaking history — and some wine maker are better than others . For French - stylus wine-coloured , head toTorres Alegre y Familia , which blow epical vinery opinion from the taste patio . ensure to try the Nebbiolo , an intensely concentrated wine with enunciate red berry and down-to-earth flavour , and the higher - death “ Cru Garage ” series . Toward the northwestern terminal of the Valle , Villa Montefiorispecializes in Italian varietals and blends , include Brunello , Nebbiolo , and a merriment Nerone , made from the uncommon Aglianico varietal wine aboriginal to Southern Italy . The industrial smart degustation elbow room atVena Cavaisn’t just the coolheaded in Valle — overrun with San Diego hipster on any given weekend — it ’s also a top spot for organic wine . try out the assemblage in sundry or natural wine-coloured tastings , and be certain to bring down the on - siteTroikafood truck for raw or grilled oysters , steak tartare , cheesecake , and large - format dishes . Another top spot for natural wines isVinos Pijoan . This family - have placeoffers multiple series , let in a born selection that includes an telling old vine , dry - farm zinfandel useable by the nursing bottle . If you ’re into sparkling , head over toVinos Cruz . Lechuza Vineyard , E of San Antonio de las Minas at the Valle ’s southwesterly final stage , is plausibly the well - acknowledge winery in the region after its acclaimed Pinot Chardonnay made it onto the wine inclination at Thomas Keller’sThe French Laundryin Napa Valley . Or , if you require to leave the planning — and , more significantly — the driving to someone else , conceive book a “ daycation ” with tour operatorLost in Baja , which offer a variety of software for varying wine interests .

Where to eat

As much as the Valle de Guadalupe has developed into a notable wine region , it has become an equally great culinary destination . It all started withLaja , which chef Jair Téllez opened as a outback , seasonal cognitive operation in 1999 , describing it as a “ terminus restaurant in the middle of nowhere”—thus begin the chef movement in the Valle . These daytime , Faunais considered by many to be the Valle ’s good restaurant . pass by husband - and - married woman squad chef David Castro Hussong and pastry chef Maribel Aldaco Silva , who both worked at Blue Hill at Stone Barns and other internationally recognized o.k. dining restaurants , debuted onLatin America ’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022with the highest ranking of any new locus . This make it the Highest New Entry Award . Chef Javier Plascencia’sFinco Altozanois another popular but more casual patch that provide a unanimous excerption of Natalie Wood - fired centre and seafood with great view of the Valle from a shaded patio . If you need even more campfire vibes , head toPrimitivo . The fully outdoor restaurant dwell of just a handful of tables localise underneath an honest-to-goodness oak tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with an capable hot - fire “ kitchen ” that churns out set menus of local seafood and heart . The must - visit spot is so unique it would be near impossible to replicate in the States . For breakfast , look at trying the traditional autochthonal fare atWa Kumiai Tabita , the unforgettable corn battercake and fresh tortillas atLa Cocina de Doña Esthela , or , on the way back toward Ensenada , Escama’sexcellent coffees , pastries , and other morning metier .

Things to do

Most citizenry go to Valle to consume and imbibe , but the area is well worth a trip , even if gorge yourself like a foie gras duck does n’t vocalize appealing . Take a wage hike and free fall into Valle de Guadalupe Hot Springs behindL.A. Cetto . Get a view of the Valle from the sky while floating along in a blistering air balloon with the squad atGlobos Baja . Head to Adobe Guadalupe for ahorseback ridethrough the vineyard on one of their gorgeous Aztecas ( a mixing between an American Quarter Horse and Andalusian ) , followed by luncheon at its excellent Spanish - inspiredfood truck . If you need to go the escapade road and assay an off - road tour or some other form of bespoke excursion , Legends Overlandingoffers customized sidereal day trips that include meals , wine-colored , and all the amenities of its seven-day junket for people who ca n’t take off into the Baja wild for twenty-four hour period on end . They even engage motortruck for those who do n’t have their own rig .

And , if you just want to give ear around by the pocket billiards , get pamper with various wellness handling — and really come back from a weekend trip feel rejuvenated rather than hungover — script a villa atMontevalle Health & Wellness Resort . While it does put up day pass for its service , its all - inclusive if you stay . So , you could get well with IV infusions , massage , meditation , yoga , and flavourful constitutional menu at the onsight eating place that aims to heal guests from the inside - out . Also , while it may take away from the healing , the grenacha they make and serve onsight is one of the best in the Valle .

Where to stay

draw close between the Pacific Ocean and rolling vineyard , CuatroCuatrosis an excellent option for anyone who wants to equilibrise time at the vineyards with lounging at the beach — though with an on - situation vineyard , plus dining and drink optionslike seafood - focalize Bura ( which boasts one of the most amazing opinion from any bathroom on the planet ) and mezcal - driven Tahona Bar , you ’ll be tempted to last out on the grounds . Glampers can rent raise collapsible shelter that hail equipped with all comforts , including a patio that overlooks the property or go all out with one of the luxe wooden cabin suite that are designed by architect Mauricio Rocha and Gabriela Carrillo , including a room that open up now to the vineyards so you do n’t even have to pull up stakes your bed to catch a technicolor sunrise , plus sack on the ceiling .

On the other hired hand , Brumais as much a vision as a hotel . The 200 - acre eco - luxury hangout encompasses a process wine maker , private ranch - style villas , and an eight - suite b&b , complete with stunning Valle aspect , sunlight decks , a pond , a jacuzzi , a swimmable pond , flak pit , and rock art scattered around the property . While you ’re there , agenda awinery tour and tastingand dinner party at Fauna , which is right on the property .

Arguably the most architecturally striking dress shop hotel in the Valle isEncuentro Guadalupe . It ’s back - to - nature in a futuristic place setting , with 20 modernist eco - pads dotting the hillside and crawl up from the valley ’s floor . It ’s not a gaudy hitch , and it may not be your musical theme of sumptuosity , but it is remarkable , and the on - site restaurant is one of the secure spot in the area to render Baja Med culinary art , a term coined by chef Miguel Angel Guerrero that speaks to a fusion of Mediterranean and Asiatic influence pair off with local seafood and seasonal green goods .

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The Valle de Guadalupe is far from a ruined mathematical product . It evolves from class to year and season to season , which is part of its joy . The wine maker , eatery , and hotel recommended here are exceptional and are likely to be so for the foreseeable future . But tomorrow , there ’ll be another well winery , and Tuesday , a great restaurant ’s sous chef will announce he ’s open a respectable wine maker ’s new restaurant .