Valle de Guadalupe: Baja’s Wine Country

Travel, Adventure

Valle de Guadalupe: La Ruta Del Vino

 

If you think Baja is just tacos, surf, and Coronas, think again.  The winemakers and restauranteurs in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe are some of the best in the world!  

And in addition to Baja’s wines, which have come a long way since I first began traveling to Valle de Guadalupe in 2004, there’s incredible dining, nightlife, and gorgeous places to stay.

This guide will give you our favorite spots in the Valle!

 

Baja Valle Guadalupe El Cielo

Baja’s wine region of Valle de Guadalupe is an easy day trip from San Diego. But after just a few hours here and we think you’ll want to spend the night!

Getting to Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe

 

First, if you’ve never driven across the U.S.-Mexico border, read our Baja Mexico Travel Guide!  This will give you step-by-step directions for crossing the border, navigating through Tijuana, and then continuing south towards Valle de Guadalupe.  Plus we’ve also included our favorite places to stop along the way in Rosarito, Ensenada, and Popotla.

Now onto the best Baja vineyards, plus where to stay, dine, and eat in Mexico’s wine region!

 

Driving to the Valle from the Coast

 

As you leave the coast, you will cruise inland along Route 3 from Ensenada.  Or, perhaps you’ve taken the road in from La Misión, climbing up over ‘El Tigre’.

Either way you choose to drive into the Valle, Route 3, also known as the Ruta de Vino, is your main road.  And as you head inland, the coastal mountains will soon give way to rolling hills covered in grapevines.

Along the main roads, you’ll find both standard and hand-painted signs directing you to numerous vineyards.  Valle de Guadalupe looks like Napa Valley 75 years ago.  It’s a bit wild and rugged, but there is a touch of elegance.  Farmhouse chic mixed with mid-century modern design.  Oh, and plan for some dirt road driving, but your standard vehicle will be more than fine to navigate to each vineyard!

In addition, your phone map apps will be very helpful.  You’ll have service throughout the region, which is new in the past few years.  But, print or pick up a Ruta del Vino map just in case.  Or download the Baja Wine Country app!  Keep in mind, there are almost 150 vineyards in the Valle these days, and many are smaller establishments that may not show up on older map versions.

 

Wine Making in Baja Mexico

 

Valle de Guadalupe in Baja is home to almost 150 wineries!  The grapes most often grown?  Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, and Chenin Blanc.  This is due to the hot and dry climate, which is similar to Napa Valley or the Southern Rhône.  The soils are a mix of sand and clay, often including granite at higher elevations.

Winemaking in Baja is not new or emerging, as vintners have been growing grapes for hundreds of years in the region thanks to the Spanish explorers.  However, the Valle has only begun to grow in popularity in the past 2 decades.  Read more from Wine Enthusiast!

 

outdoor dining baja mexico travel

From wine tasting to meals, you’ll be dining al fresco at places like Finca Altozano. Come hungry, and try new things with each glass of wine!

 

Best Wineries in Valle de Guadalupe

 

Here are our favorite vineyards to visit and sample Baja’s finest wines.  All of these wineries have tasting rooms, some offer small bites to full food menus, and they are open most days.

 

To visit smaller Valle vineyards, you may need to make a reservation or call in advance.  Keep in mind, there are new wineries popping up each year, and most restaurants in the Valle will carry wines from local producers.

 

Where to Eat in Valle de Guadalupe

 

When you’re out wine tasting, you’ll no doubt be hungry.  We do not recommend driving anywhere until you’ve sampled a few of the restaurants along the Ruta del Vino!  Pro tip: Often we’ll book a van or shuttle to take us to a few places or have a designated driver.

Here are the top restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe:

  • Finca Altozano  A Chef Javier Plascencia establishment. Order anything off the grill and wander around the farm. They also have some pop-up restaurants like Animalón onsite.
  • Primitivo- Hidden under an old oak tree, this restaurant has a specific meat-heavy tasting menu. Come hungry!
  • Salvia Blanca Cocina- Amazing brunch spot!
  • La Cocina de Doña Esthela– one of the older establishments and received a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod. Great for breakfast or brunch!
  • Fauna at Bruma  Think farm-to-table luxury with Chef David Castro Hussong creating sophisticated dishes with local ingredients.
  • Deckman’s en el Morgor  Michelin Star Chef Drew Deckman creates a one-of-a-kind meal in a farmhouse setting.  Even the kitchen is outside!
  • Adobe Guadalupe Food Truck- Posted up outside the tasting room for Adobe Guadalupe, this is a great spot to grab some shade and tasty bites!

baja mexico encuentro valle guadalupe mexico

Stay overnight to truly enjoy the Valle from sunrise to sunset!

Where to Stay in Valle de Guadalupe

 

A few hours here and you’ll wish you booked a place to stay in the Valle.  However, there are plenty of beautifully crafted villas, lots of Airbnb’s, and modern hotels that make it easy to turn your day trip into a weekend getaway!

Here are a few of the places to stay in Mexico’s wine region:

 

encuentro valle guadalupe pool

Relax after a long day of wine tasting at the infinity pool overlooking the Valle at Encuentro Guadalupe.

 

Valle de Guadalupe Nightlife

A fellow Baja aficionado once said, 9pm is Baja midnight.  However, after our most recent trip, I have to disagree.  There are several spots in Valle de Guadalupe where there’s food, drinks, DJs, and dancing!!  Our favorites are:

Baja Mexico Travel Made Easy

 

Before you go, make sure you’ve read our Baja Mexico Travel Guide.  And, here’s a bit on What You Can and Cannot Bring Home from Baja.

Loved this and want more travel tips for international destinations?

 

Until next time, hasta luego, amigos!

Meredith McConvill

 

 

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