The countryside beyond Ensenada is home to some of the best vineyards in all of North America. This beautiful grape country is pristine and abundant with the fruits of summer. Ripened grapes are harvested for wines—many of which are compared to those produced in California’s Napa Valley. The harvest season is prime time for Baja California wine tastings and there’s no better way to experience the best of the peninsula than during the Festival de la Vendimia. Visiting the wine lands near Ensenada is a sunlit adventure that many have called intoxicating simply in terms of the breathtaking scenery. The lush vineyards boast a rich harvest that is certainly worthy of celebration!
Featured Valle de Guadalupe Wineries
Encuentro Valle de Guadalupe
Encuentro. A stunning venue with unique landscape and stay. Click here to view more and book.
Adobe Guadalupe
Perhaps the most picturesque winery in all of Valle de Guadalupe, Adobe Guadalupe is situated within authentic adobe-style buildings and is surrounded by over 60 acres of lush vineyards. The winery doubles as a bed and breakfast so that you have somewhere cozy and comfortable to crash after a long afternoon of sampling their world-class wines. A few of the varieties that they produce include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Fran, Shiraz, Tempranillo, and Viognier. They also offer a horseback tour through their vineyards which can definitely add to your overall visit.
Casa de Piedra
Located very close to San Antonio de las Minas in the Vale de Guadalupe, Casa de Piedra is Baja wine tasting at its best. The winery is owned by Mexico’s world-famous wine legend, Hugo D’Acosta. Therefore, you can be certain that you’ll be sipping on only the highest-quality craft. A few of the wines that this farmhouse-style winery is best known for include Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, and Chardonnay.
Casa Madero
Over 400 years of history as one of Mexico’s top wine producers sets Casa Madero apart from other wineries in the Baja region. In fact, it is the oldest traditional winery in all of Latin America. Its stunning Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, and Chardonnays attract wine enthusiasts from all over the world. If you’re in the area for a visit, you definitely don’t want to miss out on a quick stop at Casa Madero.
El Cielo Vineyard – Valle de Guadalupe
Excellent location with magnificent views of the mountains, vineyards, 2 restaurants, pool. Luxurious suites with magnificent views of the mountains,…book a night here.
Monte Xanic
Monte Xanic does things a little differently than other big-name wine producers in Baja. Instead of simply copying others and taking the easy route to success, they strive to create completely original wines that reflect the Mexican people. Though many of their wines are a little different than you’re probably used to, they are all top-quality and will truly add a little culture to your Baja experience. So, if you’re planning on visiting Monte Xanic, you can look forward to sampling:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Verdot
- Merlot
- Cabernet Franc
- Malbec
- Sirah
- Chardonnay
- Petit
- Chenin Blanc
- Viognier
- Semillon
L.A. Cetto (Valle de Guadalupe)
The recipient of more than 135 international awards, L.A. Cetto sets the mark. In addition to its wide variety of honors, the winery is also Mexico’s largest wine producer. When you visit them for a tour and tasting, you’re really in for a treat. As a result, they offer an enormous array of wine varietals which include:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Nebbiolo
- Tempranillo
- Grenache
- Petite Verdot
- Malbec
- Sangiovese
- Mourvedre
- Sirah
- Zinfandel
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
L.A. Cetto offers guided tours of their vineyards and perfectly manicured gardens. Additionally, they hold many free tasting events per year – it’s not very often that you get to experience wine this good without paying a penny.
Tierra del Vino
Each year Ensenada will host the Annual Tierra del Vino in Ensenada. This annual competition is attended by international wine enthusiasts and this year’s contest will see an international panel of judges hailing from countries like Spain, Italy, and South Africa.
This international competition brings wineries from around the globe to participate. The competition and associated conferences and events will be held at Ensenada’s Hotel Coral and Marina. The conferences are open to the public at no charge. The event involves many wineries and upwards of 250 wine labels. The competition includes a panel of eighteen judges that hail from nations like those listed above as well as the U.S., Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, Uruguay, Chile, and others. Judges will sample wines of red, white, rose, and even sparkling. Winning in various categories is a prestigious accomplishment and the competition has been intense.
The wonderful thing about this wine contest is that it poses a great meeting place for wine enthusiasts from around the world as well as those who reside in Baja California. Hosting a prestigious event adds to the region’s reputation as a world-class wine center. Though various wine houses will send their representatives to participate, members of the public also thrill at the chance to learn a great deal about viticulture and other wine-related topics at the various conferences offered.
The Coral Hotel and Marina
This five-star hotel is an attraction all its own. Both the hotel and marina are luxurious and beautiful. The breathtaking Pacific and stellar accommodations make this the perfect place to host an international wine competition. Even if you reside elsewhere during your stay in lovely Ensenada—which boasts many fine hotels and resorts—this is certainly a venue to see. Dine at the hotel’s BC Bistro & Cava Restaurant which is noted for its hospitality and renowned regional cuisine. Naturally, they boast an excellent wine list! The marina is equally enchanting and has well over 300 secure docking areas for vessels between 30 and 65 feet.
Ensenada for Wine Lovers
August, of course, is typically associated with Ensenada’s grape festival, “Vendemia”. This competition in July, therefore, is a bit of an appetizer for the main event itself. Certainly, many Ensenada wine lovers will be rooting for local labels at the competition. But the entire event simply reminds the city of how good it is to be a part of such a world-class competition. During the various days of the competition, be sure to visit some of Ensenada’s restaurants. Judge for yourself which labels are best and see if your results echo the judges’ decisions!
Vendemia – Harvest (First 2 Weeks August)
Festival Fiestas de la Vendimia, as it is known in Baja California is an enchanting time to visit Ensenada. Many events are scheduled for this year’s grape harvest celebration. Not only will events boast delectable wines and culinary delights, but also plenty of entertainment and cultural events and activities. The official celebration begins August 2nd at Ensenada’s Community Center, Civic and Cultural Pacific Riviera with an opening wine tasting geared to whet everyone’s appetite for more delicious wines to come. Then, of course, the schedule opens up to include multiple vineyards and their schedules. For instance, August 3rd involves various wineries and special harvest events. Visiting during grape harvest means that wine-lovers are sure to find many appealing dinners, wine tastings, and events throughout the countryside and, indeed, within some of the city’s fine restaurants.
Some of the most acclaimed harvest events include Gypsy Night at Vineyard Liceaga, Night of Brotherhood at Cruise Port Village, Baja California Culinary Expressions at Hacienda Guadalupe, the Sea and Wine Concert at the Estero Beach Hotel and Resort, and Party in the Valley in Valle de la Guadalupe’s Parque del Porvenir. Be sure to check with your favorite vineyards to see how they plan to celebrate the harvest festival this year!
Festival del Caballo
The Festival del Caballo (“Festival of the Horse”) is a celebration of horse culture, art, and wine. In essence, it’s a celebration of Baja California culture and it’s a prominent event that attracts many to the state to enjoy it. The popular festival takes place in the countryside of Ensenada in the territory of Valle de Guadalupe. The festival is at the equestrian facilities of Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards & Inn. This family-friendly event attracts a myriad of people coming to enjoy the day’s activities and sights.
Named for the horse, this festival is a celebration of equestrian life—both past and present. Equestrian exhibitions are available with horseback riding activities and even hayrides. It’s a great place to see expert riders perform with some of the state’s most marvelous horse. From dancing horses to the famed Andalucían horses, visitors will delight in this celebration. For those who enjoy riding, there are horseback rides that make participants truly feel part of the show and the day’s festivities.
It almost goes without saying that the best of Baja California’s wines will be served at the events illustrious wine tasting event. After all, as the event is in the country’s premier vineyard, it would hardly be an event without the best of the vineyards represented. Aside from wine, there will also be plenty of beer and a myriad of other beverages and refreshments. The cuisine ranges from hotdogs to authentic Baja dishes—especially cowboy favorites! While Mexican cuisine is the order of the day, many international dishes will also be available during the festival. Naturally—there’ll be a wide variety of desserts!
The Festival del Caballo has a lot of entertainment, but it’s not a real Mexican celebration without music and dance. Aside from various live music performances, this year’s festival will feature dance exhibitions as well as traditional Mexican folk dancing. As infectious as the music is, expect to see many participants join in the dancing fun as the day progresses!
Ensenada
The grape harvest is truly one of the loveliest times to visit Ensenada. Many of the region’s wineries and restaurants want to take part in some way. Wine lovers from around the world find this an amazing time to visit Ensenada. August, however, is simply dizzy with wine and food and all the wonderful fruits of the harvest. Moreover, the city has many other wonderful activities to entertain travelers of all tastes. Whale watching, water sports, sailing, beach-combing, off-roading, and shopping. Ensenada is a vacation town in every respect including vibrant nightlife and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you book at a Valle de la Guadalupe hotel or inn or at an Ensenada resort, the experience is sure to be memorable!
For those to love to view art, there will be a wide variety of art on display. Arts and crafts are available for purchase during the festival. Moreover, the festival will feature a painting contest this year, too. Travelers will find many other attractions during the event such as a beauty contest and a children’s art competition. If you’ve never witnessed the Festival del Caballo, make this year different by planning a trip to enjoy this revered festival. There are many elegant inns and hotels in the region making it the perfect getaway. If you happen to be visiting Ensenada, be sure to fit this festival into your travel itinerary!
DON’T FORGET – Drinking and Driving is a technicality that can void your Mexican insurance – so be advised. Claims can be denied if they find you’ve been drinking. Please don’t drink and drive.
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