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’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-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. And 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!
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 and are open most days.
To visit smaller producers, you may need to make a reservation or call in advance to see what their hours are. There are also several restaurants, hotels, and bottle shops that will sell or offer tastings of Valle de Guadalupe wines. We’ll get more into this below.
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!
Where to Eat in Valle de Guadalupe
When you’re out wine tasting, you’ll no doubt be hungry. And 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. Below are the top restaurants to eat in Valle de Guadalupe, and there are new ones popping up each year!
- Primitivo- Hidden under an old white oak tree, this restaurant has two different tastings menus, and its the spot for meat eaters! Come hungry and share!
- Finca Altozano A Chef Javier Plascencia establishment…order anything off the grill and enjoy wandering around the farm.
- Laja Another new find, this place is known as the French Laundry of Baja.
- Fauna at Bruma Think farm-to-table luxury with Chef David Castro Hussong creating sophisticated dishes with local ingredients.
- Animalón– Chef Javier Plascencia expands at Finca Altozano to bring you an outdoor dining experience under a 200-year-old oak tree!
- 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!
- Cuatro Cuatros Overlooking Salsipuedes Bay, Bar Bura at Cuatro Cuatros wins for the best place to surprise and delight your eyes…and your palate. It’s also a great place for date night!
- 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 between tastings!
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 and modern hotels that make it easy to turn your day trip into a weekender.
Oh, and those infinity pools? Yes, the Valle has pools. And hotel bars. Here are a few of the places to stay in Mexico’s wine region:
- Surya Valle Guadalupe– a small, intimate hotel with a pool and jacuzzi.
- Encuentro Guadalupe– those cute little boxes on the hillside, and that infinity pool! There are also two restaurants onsite.
- Casa 8 at Bruma- so well-designed you will not want to leave. Think organic luxury.
- Adobe Guadalupe– the first high-end bed & breakfast in the Valle.
- Agua de Vid– more modern, yet rustic, one of the newer places to stay in Valle Guadalupe.
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 dancing!! Our favorites are:
- Casa Frida– an expansive restaurant with tasting rooms, a dance club, and if you can, try to get a reservation at the Cava Chavela speakeasy!
- King and Queen Cantina and the rooftop dance club, Mr. Tempo, which is very reminiscent of nights out in Cabo. And if you haven’t read about Jorge Cueva, aka Mr. Tempo, his meteoric rise began stateside!
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?
- Costa Rica for the Adventure Traveler
- Oaxaca Mexico Travel Guide
- Adventure Travel in Spain
- Cuba Travel for Outdoor Adventurers
Until next time, hasta luego, amigos!
Meredith McConvill
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