BajaNomad - Not the usual suspects. Guadalupe Valley wine thoughts?

Not the usual suspects. Guadalupe Valley wine thoughts?

redhilltown - 3-12-2012 at 11:40 PM

Greetings. A friend and I will be coming back up the Guadalupe Valley in a couple of weeks after fishing and we're looking to maybe check out a couple of wineries that are not the big "easy" ones to get to. Does anyone have any suggestions of places to check out? I bet there are small tasting rooms that would remind me of the fun times in Santa Ynez valley 30 years ago but I don't know which ones.......but I bet a few Nomads do!!!!!!! And don't worry, we are not wine snobs by any stretch ( I almost single-handedly--via Trader Joes--keep a few Chilean wineries afloat!). Thanks in advance.

Pompano - 3-13-2012 at 06:08 AM

Hola redhilltown,

Sorry amigo, just can't get away from it... I have to stick to one of those 'easy-to-get-to' wineries. A favorite for many years...LA CETTO. Although you can take many side trips here and there along this stretch and find your own hideaway winery, I am sure. That search would give you a lot of fun memories.

I'm too biased. I have a love affair with the reds at LA CETTO...especially this one, Nebbiolo. I stop at the wine-tasting every fall and buy 2-3 cases of this fine wine for winter provisions in Baja Sur.

Most excellent...for me anyway! Also a good buy on tequila...Cazadores (I like the taste ...and it's label..cuz I'm a hunter, too)

Try This One

bajaguy - 3-13-2012 at 06:43 AM

Malagon:

http://vinedosmalagon.com/Vinedos-Malagon-Wines.html

The location is outstanding and Joe and Rachel Malagon are wonderful hosts.

bajadock - 3-13-2012 at 07:05 AM

La Villa del Valle's new wine cave, dug out of the ground, has 3 upside boats as its roof. Complete review of the wine and Corazon de Tierra Restaurant.

The Vena Cava "Big Blend" wine is up their with Malagon's "Equua" as my favorites.

LisaR. - 3-13-2012 at 07:15 AM

Last spring we were wine tasting and turned off the main road at a sign marked vinacola (there are quite a few of those signs, and I couldn't tell you exactly which one it was--sorry). We followed a dirt road for some ways through cornfields and finally came upon Tres Mujeres. It was such a wonderful experience, that I think next time, we might mostly follow dirt roads to find wineries! You might try that!

Udo - 3-13-2012 at 07:44 AM

This is also our favorite winery.

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Malagon:

http://vinedosmalagon.com/Vinedos-Malagon-Wines.html

The location is outstanding and Joe and Rachel Malagon are wonderful hosts.

tripledigitken - 3-13-2012 at 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajadock

bajadock,

Thanks for the well written review! What is the location of the Winery?

Ken

bajadock - 3-13-2012 at 07:58 AM

Ken,
It's closest to Pabloff, but, written directions won't suffice. Assuming you can navigate a map like Google Earth, here is an Ensenada Interactive Map with La Villa del Valle on it.

KM88 "exit" from hwy 3, just north of San Antonio de las Minas has signs leading the way on approx 3 mile rough, dirt road.

info@lavilladelvalle.com email address is easiest way to make reservation for wine tasting and/or dinner. This is not the usual "cattle call" wine tasting. Dinner is 5-6 courses, prix fixe service, stunningly creative and will set you back more than a Ben Franklin.

Phil & Eileen Gregory are the British owners. Agnès Cameleyre, from Bordeaux, is the manager. Lucky me, I'm dining and QUAFFING at their Corazon de Tierra restaurant again this week.

[Edited on 3-13-2012 by bajadock]

tripledigitken - 3-13-2012 at 08:10 AM

bajadock,

Thanks I know just where that's at.

Ken

wilderone - 3-13-2012 at 08:43 AM

I drove the Wine Route a couple weeks ago. The signs on the highway are new, and direct you to every winery and hotel there is. I noticed many new "boutique hotels" - that's what the signs say. And seems new tasting rooms are popping up all over. Start early to give yourself plenty of time for many stops along the way. Just follow the signs and explore. If you know the names of the larger, more popular establishments, skip those. Although I still like LA Cetto for their OLIVE OIL and bathroom (!), and they have two kinds of inexpensive table wines (priced about $3.80). And Dona ____ (always forget) across the road from Cetto's, has lemons, tea, jam too. (You can't bring lemons back across the border, but ....) The highway is in great condition. And if you find yourself at El Sauzal and still hungary, stop at El Trailleros taco stand - the BEST fish tacos (they have everything else, but I alway get the fish tacos.)

capt. mike - 3-13-2012 at 08:58 AM

the most friendly liberal pours and mulitple tastings - over 14 of theirs- has always been at La Cetto.
never a charge. just buy a couple.

Leo - 3-13-2012 at 12:18 PM

That Nebbiolo is indeed a fine wine from La Cetto (had it last week) but my favourite is Monte Xanic winery just past Francisco Zarco.

redhilltown - 3-13-2012 at 06:29 PM

Thank you thank you thank you all!!! I didn't mean to "diss" the larger wineries as we have stopped there and had a great time...just looking to try something new.

Will for sure stop at the new "boat" wine cave...how cool is that???

I'll post in trip reports next month and include the wine adventures!

And of course, more suggestions welcomed!

DavidE - 3-13-2012 at 06:37 PM

un mano de feria para

Monte Xanic. Love their cabernet sauvignon, merlot and blended red. Pretty hoity toity stuff. Mexican presidents give bottles or cases as gifts to visiting heads of states.

Udo - 3-13-2012 at 06:46 PM

Does anyone know if the two bottle limit is applied to dignitaries?
:?:

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
Mexican presidents give bottles or cases as gifts to visiting heads of states.

redhilltown - 4-17-2012 at 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Malagon:

http://vinedosmalagon.com/Vinedos-Malagon-Wines.html

The location is outstanding and Joe and Rachel Malagon are wonderful hosts.

Well as it often happens the best laid plans........but! We did stop here at Malagon and had a terrific time!!! I guess it is best to contact them ahead of your visit to taste but we just happen to roll in at the right time with some couples out of Mexicali. Our wine tasting host Anna Rosa was a total firecracker. Great wines and a great time. A wonderful Baja experience so thanks again for the recommendation BajaGuy and Udo.