The Well Designed Travel Guide: Valle de Guadalupe
Nestled between the hills of Ensenada, less than one-hundred miles south of San Diego, lies what many consider Mexico's Napa - the Valle de Guadalupe. With over 100 wineries, this promised land in Baja California sits in latitude with Southern Spain and Italy, offering frequent sunshine that allows many strains of grapes to flourish while others struggle.
What remains more enticing than the wine itself are the wineries and hotels. Less stringent building codes and availability of land allow creativity to flourish, resulting in some of the most captivating architecture coming to fruition. On my third and most recent trip to the Valle, I revisited some of my favorite places and explored some hidden gems tucked within Baja's best-kept secret.
eat | sleep | drink - bruma
No need to leave this property with multiple private hilltop villas, two restaurants, and a winery.
LOCATION: Carretera Avinicola La Cetto fractionacion AB, P74, 22760 Francisco Zarco (Valle de Guadalupe), BC, Mexico
WEBISTE: https://bruma.mx/
drink — casa de piedra
For a state-of-the-art wine tasting head to the House of Stone, an experimental winery that works with multiple Northern California vineyards to create unique blends of red, white, and sparkling wine.
location:Carretera Ensenada Tecate Kilometro 93.5, 22761 Villa de Juárez, B.C., Mexico
website: https://www.vyva.mx/
EAT — bura |
cuatro cuatros
Experience 270-degree views of the coastline from one-hundred feet above. This is a place I will not stop visiting on every trip down South.
LOCATION: El Tigre, Carretera Libre Tijuana Ensenada Km 89, Enseanda, 22760 Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
eat — agua de vid
Choose between starting your day with Huevos Rancheros or sleep in at the hotel that is conveniently attached.
LOCATION: Parcela, Ejido El Porvenir - San José de la Zorra 69, 22750 Francisco Zarco (Valle de Guadalupe), B.C., Mexico
website: https://www.aguadevid.com.mx/
STAY —
casa malbec
Stay with friends in this 9-person house located centrally in the Valle.
book: AIRBNB
explore —
CASA FRIDA
This Frida Kahlo inspired casa includes an array of good art, shopping, and wine. You won’t miss the bright blue exterior inspired by Kahlo’s home in Mexico City.
LOCATION: Rancho San Marcos s/n, 22755 Ejido El Porvenir (Guadalupe), B.C., Mexico
WEBSITE: https://casafridavalle.com/
Transportation: If you’re unfamiliar with Baja or a first timer I highly recommend booking a Baja Wine Tour. Many leave from San Diego or will pick you up at your hotel in Ensenada or Rosarito and will offer one-day tours or overnight options in collaboration with hotels. While the Valle is a safe and welcoming place the roads are not so friendly and most of the wineries are on dirt roads with lots of potholes.
