BajaNomad

Upcoming Ruta de Vino trip

Martyman - 4-22-2013 at 09:28 AM

Heading out for a couple days of wine tasting. We are staying at El Mezon Del Vino and want to hit 5-6 of the best wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe. My wife works in a tasting room in Sonoma County NorCal. Our list of possibles include Bibayoff, Retorno, Nubes, JC Bravo, Emere, Sol Y Barro and Tres Mujeres.
Has anyone visited recently and can advise positive or negative on the above? We are also going to Laja for dinner one night. (25th anniversary)
Thanks you and...keep drinking. :bounce:

bajadock - 4-22-2013 at 09:35 AM

Pompano - 4-22-2013 at 09:53 AM

You can't go wrong eating at Laja's. Superb!

Mustafa's is good, also.

Baja4Rnr - 4-22-2013 at 11:00 AM

I enjoyed the white wines at Chateau Camou and the reds at Monte Xanic. I think you'll find the wines similar to the Carneros region in Sonoma. Have a great trip.

Whale-ista - 4-22-2013 at 11:50 AM

There's a great little wine bar at San Miguel, a neighborhood at the last tollbooth before Ensenada. Try it on your way back if you want an ocean view with your wine.

Excellent freshly made tapas and one of the best ocean views and outdoor patio seating in the region.

Monday night is pétanque night, lots of people enjoying the views and food. Worth a look before returning north.

Baja Times Article About Wineries

Gypsy Jan - 4-22-2013 at 12:39 PM

Just published this month: http://www.bajatimes.com/bajawine.asp

bajaguy - 4-22-2013 at 03:11 PM

Add to your winery list Malagon and Fuentes. Also try Mustafas restaurant.

If you jo to Malagon, ask for Joe or Rachael. At Fuentes, ask for Miguel. Fuentes also has a great restaurant. Tastings at Fuentes are free, and a large pour.

Been to JC Bravo a couple of times and not really impressed.

[Edited on 4-22-2013 by bajaguy]

Boules

bajaguy - 4-22-2013 at 03:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Whale-ista
There's a great little wine bar at San Miguel, a neighborhood at the last tollbooth before Ensenada. Try it on your way back if you want an ocean view with your wine.

Excellent freshly made tapas and one of the best ocean views and outdoor patio seating in the region.

Monday night is pétanque night, lots of people enjoying the views and food. Worth a look before returning north.





That would be Boules. Immideately as you pass through the toll booth coming toward Ensenada, turn right just before the Extra store, follow the road. It dead ends at Boules. Great food. The owner/chef is Javier Martinez

DENNIS - 4-22-2013 at 03:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Also try Mustafas restaurant.




Hey Terry.........Is Mustafa still around there? He was trying to sell out and go back to the old country around twenty years ago and I was just wondering what happened?
If he's still happening, I'll take a ride out there one of these days.

Udo - 4-22-2013 at 04:01 PM

Go with what Gypsy Jan has posted.

We have made the trip to Valle De Guadalupe about 15 times in the last three years. We have run into many wineries we could buy a lifetime supply of their wine, but others...no way!

BUT...that is a matter of taste. What I considered a no-no, others considered a top wine.
The food,however, is not a crapshoot. Casa Vieja is a must, as well as Laja's and Hacienda de Guadalupe.

I'll check

bajaguy - 4-22-2013 at 04:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Also try Mustafas restaurant.




Hey Terry.........Is Mustafa still around there? He was trying to sell out and go back to the old country around twenty years ago and I was just wondering what happened?
If he's still happening, I'll take a ride out there one of these days.





And let you know.......

DENNIS - 4-22-2013 at 05:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy


And let you know.......


Thanks. In the restaurant, painted on a wall, is a picture of his daughter as a vinyard hand or wine wench......forget which. A buddy of mine painted that. He's high talent and I hope it hasn't been painted over with Tecate ads.

Mustafa

bajaguy - 4-22-2013 at 05:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy


And let you know.......


Thanks. In the restaurant, painted on a wall, is a picture of his daughter as a vinyard hand or wine wench......forget which. A buddy of mine painted that. He's high talent and I hope it hasn't been painted over with Tecate ads.





Dennis......get in your Jeep and take a ride. My source says he is still there. Report back on the painting.

DENNIS - 4-22-2013 at 06:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy




Dennis......get in your Jeep and take a ride. My source says he is still there. Report back on the painting.


Thanks Terry. Think I will.
Mustafa was in on the ground floor of private label wines in the valley. He just grew a field of grapes and joined a co-op that processed and bottled the wine with his label.
I think that's still a common procedure out there.
People tend to think everybody out there is stompin' their own grapes, but they really arnt.

bajaguy - 4-22-2013 at 06:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
Heading out for a couple days of wine tasting. We are staying at El Mezon Del Vino and want to hit 5-6 of the best wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe. My wife works in a tasting room in Sonoma County NorCal. Our list of possibles include Bibayoff, Retorno, Nubes, JC Bravo, Emere, Sol Y Barro and Tres Mujeres.
Has anyone visited recently and can advise positive or negative on the above? We are also going to Laja for dinner one night. (25th anniversary)
Thanks you and...keep drinking. :bounce:





For a unique late lunch/dinner experience, try Finca Altozano.
Turn off the main highway as if you were going to Laja, however do not turn into the laja driveway. Continue straight on the dirt road past Laja about 3/4 mile. It will be on your right. Outdoor dining, outstanding!!!! You can bring your own wine or buy a bottle or two from local vineyards.

Martyman - 4-26-2013 at 12:41 PM

Hey;
Thanks for all the great responses! So...it sounds like I should hit Camou for whites. Xanic for Reds. Malagon and Fuentes are a big must drink. And plenty of good restaurants including Hacienda de Guadalupe, Finca Altozano, Casa Vieja and Mustafas.
Thanks all!

Ask Your Concierge at Your Hotel

Gypsy Jan - 4-26-2013 at 12:56 PM

The people on the ground have the best and most up-to-date information.

Martyman - 5-31-2013 at 03:01 PM

We are back from our lovely trip to the Ruta de Vino! Santiago was right on with recommending El Mezon Del Vino hotelito ($42usd/night). Very relaxed and quiet (once we found it).
Our favorite winery was Villa Montefiori followed by Monte Xanic, Vena Cava and then Las Nubes. Chateau Camou was horrid with Fuentes being so-so. Most of the wineries charged 100 pesos for tasting and even if you did buy a bottle or 2 they still charged you.
My wife works at a winery in NorCal and we tried to get industry discounts but they were not to be.
We splurged and had dinner at Laja-fantastic. Corre Caminos had a great breakfast. Brought back a case and declared it at the gate in San Ysidro but the Border Patrol guy was cool (for a change) and let us slide without paying duty.
I enjoyed the wines in general but most of them had a hot finish.