With its sun-soaked vineyards, winding mountain roads, peaceful farmland, eco hotels, and celebrated food scene, Mexico’s wine country is emerging from the shadow of the country’s sprawling all-inclusive resorts. And, if you have a soft spot for quality wine and authentic Mexican food, this should be one of the first stamps you add to your passport post-pandemic.
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Baja California, Mexico
Located 145 kilometres from San Diego in Baja California, Mexico, Valle de Guadalupe was one of the country’s best-kept secrets until high-profile visitors like the late Anthony Bourdain put it on the map for discerning foodies in the past decade.
The vineyard-filled region is blossoming and multi-faceted; it’s a nature-immersed, but refined playground for wine-loving foodies who seek more of a genuine Mexico experience than that of a typical beach vacation. Here, you can expect scenic roads overlooking the crashing Pacific Ocean, shared stories and wine with local producers at family-run wineries, fresh farm-to-table meals, scenic outdoor adventures, and shameless poolside lounging.
While the region housed less than 10 wineries two decades ago, there are now over 150 in Baja California, many filled with blends of quality wine that can rival their counterparts in neighbouring California (and beyond).
While some of the best experiences in Valle de Guadalupe are best stumbled upon accidentally (like, for example, a memorable food stand or local mom and pop spots), here are some of my top spots to sip, savour, and stay in the unforgettable region of Valle de Guadalupe.
Places to sip, savour and stay in Valle de Guadalupe
Encuentro Guadalupe
This sleek and futuristic eco resort has hosted a slew of high-profile guests (including Rihanna) looking to get up close and personal with nature in the most refined way imaginable. Here, guests can stay in personal pod-like accommodations built into rolling hills, or in the luxury villa – like the aforementioned famous faces. Highlights here include stunning architecture, delicious gourmet food, and a photogenic infinity pool that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape.
Finca La Carrodilla
The celebrated, sun-kissed winery offers panoramic views of the surrounding hills and holds the bragging rights as Mexico’s first organically certified vineyard. An expansive, peaceful orchard produces things like kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, beets, tomatoes, radishes, Swiss chard, and aromatic herbs. A selection of fresher than fresh cheese accompanies the breezy wine tasting experience here.
Malva Restaurant
This peaceful open-air restaurant sits on the grounds of Mina Penelope Winery and offers somewhat of an Italian feel, as guests dine under a palapa surrounded by rolling hills of lush greenery. The airy farm-to-table restaurant – where sustainable livestock roam within view – began as a pop-up and features colourful mural art as a nod to its approachability.
Finca Altozano
Finca Altozano is a lively and sprawling country steakhouse that only uses products and ingredients from the surrounding gardens, ranches, and sea. The airy outdoor restaurant offers an extensive list of wine and craft beer to accompany its memorable food. A particularly notable dish is the fresh grilled octopus from the Pacific, which – submerged in soy sauce, citrus, ginger, cilantro, and peanuts.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela
For a traditional, hearty, and completely delicious family-style breakfast with a heartwarming backstory, stop at La Cocina Doña Esthela. The now bustling 160-seat restaurant began with humble roots, with one table and whatever ingredients owner Doña Esthela could purchase. Now, she’s become a local celebrity – and the spot, an institution – known for their signature Manchaca con huevos egg dish.
Bruma
Bruma winery and restaurant is worth a visit for its conversation-starting design as much as it is its memorable wine. The eye-catching winery was constructed around a stunning (and completely photo-worthy) 300-year-old oak tree and built with local and mostly recycled materials. Guests are encouraged to mingle with others at communal tables, as they enjoy a multicourse, experimental meal cooked by local celeb chef David Castro. An onsite hotel is an inviting option for guests who want to stay awhile.
Lomita
In 2009, entrepreneur Fernando Perez Castro started Lomita with a vision to create a “free flow winery” that forwent the use of machines to move the grapes and the juice to fermentation and into aging barrels. Aside from the wine, other draws to this spot include eye-catching art and two celebrated restaurants. Sister winery, the equally as beloved Finca La Carrodilla sits seven kilometres away and provides the produce for both restaurants.
Corazón de Tierra
Sitting adjacent to the Vena Cava Winery Corazón de Tierra (meaning “heart of the earth”) has appeared on best restaurant lists and features an artistic six-course tasting menu of innovative spins on traditional dishes from celebrated chef Diego Hernández Baquedano. Made from fresh local goodness, the celebrated menu changes daily here.
Cuatro Cuatros
Pristine glamping spot Cuatro Cuatros invites guests to disconnect and submerge themselves in the surrounding nature and star-filled sky. Located in the coastal town of Ensenada, here, guests lay their heads lay their heads in luxury elevated tents nestled among vineyards and mountains, next to the Pacific Ocean. The sophisticated tents feature chic and cozy interiors, electricity, a fireplace, indoor/outdoor showers with views of the surrounding mountains. and a private outdoor lounging area.
Vena Cava
Vena Cava winery is an appreciated experimental winemaker that specializes in small-batch wines. The winery draws upon the highest quality grapes in the valley and its own vineyard is organically farmed. In addition to its crowd-pleasing Tempranillo, its visual appeal attracts guests, thanks to things like vaulted ceilings made of reclaimed fishing boats from a local port, walls adorned with discarded lenses from a nearby eyeglass factory, and an intricate outdoor canopy created with reclaimed wood.
