Believe it or not, Mexico makes wine too! Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, impossible to get hold off never returns email or answers the phone ,, not a good sign not able to reach Kevin Morrison, On a recent trip, we decided to try the wines in the Guadalupe Valley. So it might be a surprise that a region so close to the tropics can grow grapes at all. Most are fairly small scale operations, bottling under 100,000 cases annually. your password With over 100 wineries, Valle de Guadalupe has become the hottest new destination for the connoisseurs. Mexico Has Its Own Wine Country—and It’s Amazing This unsung wine region in Baja California has it all, from cutting-edge wines to glamorous hotels. The La Laguna region straddles the states, Durango and Coahuila. Mexican wine is still very much a frontier of wine. The tastings at the wineries can be expensive so I prefer to buy a bottle at each winery and just enjoy the surrounding that each winery provides. Who knew Mexico has a wine region? Map View. Though some wine is produced here, most of the grapes are grown in its two main dry regions, Hermosillo and Caborca, and are used for brandy or raisin production, respectively. Some have dubbed Valle de Guadalupe the “Napa Valley of Mexico.”, Vineyards next to Hotel Endémico in Ensenada, Valle de Guadalupe in Baja Mexico – by Hernán García Crespo. Baja is at the top of my favorite destination list.........go for it!! Of course, because it’s so dry, irrigation is almost always required. Every trip gets better and I cannot wait to explore new wineries, restaurants, and hidden gems in this newly popular region for wine and lifestyle. There are over 150 wineries in the Baja Peninsula, and the number is growing. I'm a certified wine geek, constantly discovering new facets in the joy of wine. The region benefits from the cooling breezes of the Pacific Ocean. Please choose a different date. There are two main options here. Here’s a little overview of what’s to know about modern Mexican wine country. For an added bonus, plan your trip around the Fiesta de la Vendemia (Vintage Festival) which takes place every August in Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe. The majority of grapes in this area are used for brandy production, but due to its location close to Mexico’s largest city, some fine wine can be found here as well. The major wine-making sub-regions here including Valle de Guadalupe, Valle de Calafia, Valle de San Vincente, and Valle de Santo Tomás, are characterized by granite-rich alluvial soils – attributes you might expect to find in the Northern Rhône Valley of France. more, Recommended experiences in and around Valle de Guadalupe, Commonly searched for in Valle de Guadalupe. Add to that delicious cuisine, sandy beaches and tequila or two and you’ve got one of our favorite vacation spots. This year, Black Friday's all month long. 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In addition to the winery-side dining at Encuentro Guadalupe, Valle de Guadalupe has a trio of standout restaurants offering a 90-point blend of … The vast majority of wine production (about 85%) occurs in the state of Baja California, which is just a smidgen north of the 30° latitude line. When visiting the Baja wine region, be sure to check out the new wine museum, El Museo de la Vid y el Vino, whose website homepage proclamation is inspiring: “There are only two types of wine, the good wine and the better wine.”. And because they rely only on rainfall, the wines are much more intense than the other varieties. For those who know, the 30th parallel (above and below the equator) is considered the theoretical boundary of successful grape growing. Wines from this region are typically full-bodied, ripe, jammy, and robust (higher alcohol), and grapes have thick skins to add a deep color. Valle de Guadalupe is a village located in Mexico’s Baja California, and it’s attracting national attention for its 100-plus wineries, some of which … photo TTseng. So take a plunge; it'll be well worth your time! With over a hundred wineries, some of which are beautiful, you can easily make a day of it. So far I have found great pizza in town, fabulous grilled steaks at Deckman's, super gourmet faire at Fauna, and so many other great places. Share. This wine country engages the senses with food, wine, and a new adventure at every turn. The region is a melting pot of French, Spanish, and Italian grapes, from Nebbiolo to Chenin Blanc, making up 7,700 acres of vineyards. The first vineyards in North America were planted in Mexico. Winery tourism is growing in popularity here and many accommodations and high-end eateries are available to complement your wine tasting experience. Soils here are composed of loamy clay, which helps retain moisture in the semi-desert climate. Wine has been growing here for more than 100 years but only recently has seen a boost in popularity. Along the Ruta del Vino in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe wine region in Baja. Grapes were first planted in Mexico during the 16th century by the Spanish. Wine blends are quite popular here, although they don’t always follow European traditions. Despite the region’s long history, the advance of modern Mexican wine is as recent as the 1970s. Here's a useful site about modern Mexican wines if you need to know more. I suggest doing your studying b4 you go. Although Mexican wine is now exported to 38 countries, it is not that easy to find. Here’s a breakdown of the major regions to know: You can get a good pairing to anything you've got on your plate - master a reliable pairing method with this handy chart. Mexico may be better known for its beer and tequila, but it is also home to the oldest wine industry in the Americas. You probably don’t think wine, right? The region was originally planted by the Spaniards and vineyards here are located at nearly 5000 feet altitude, providing a much cooler microclimate suitable than the surrounding areas and very well-suited for wine grape growing. Although there were indigenous grapes before the Spanish conquest, the Spaniards found that Spanish grapevines also did very well in the colony of New Spain (Mexico) and by the 17th century wine exports from Spain to the New World fell. We went on a, I have now made about 10 trips to the Valle. Mexico City’s most proximate wine country destination sits at elevations of up to 6,500 feet. Grapes were first planted in Mexico during the 16th century by the Spanish. Mexican Wine Country Mexico is the home of hot peppers, hot weather, bright colors and adobe buildings.