BajaNomad

Valle Wine Tasting - Reservations

elgatoloco - 6-10-2016 at 11:28 AM

I have been gathering info on wine tasting from all the experts here and wanted to know what your experience has been relative to just walking in for a tasting. I seems that most places would prefer you had a reservation and some require (Lechuza) that you have. Last time down we stumbled into Mogor-Badan and a few others with no problems. Just now decided to head down this Saturday for the wife's BD and once we get to Rosarito area will have a better handle on timeframe/arrival to the Valle but...............what are your thoughts/experiences?

BajaGeoff - 6-10-2016 at 12:42 PM

Since it's summertime and also the weekend...you should have no problems at all walking in to most of the wineries and doing a tasting. I've been to about 35 of the wineries down there and never made a reservation once.

elgatoloco - 6-10-2016 at 02:01 PM

Only 35? That must have been over two weekends right? :biggrin:

What are your top 5?

Vina de Frannes

bajaguy - 6-10-2016 at 02:26 PM

http://viņadefrannes.com/

Walk-ins welcome



[Edited on 6-10-2016 by bajaguy]

Santiago - 6-10-2016 at 02:40 PM

Yes, most of them welcome walk-ins; in fact, I suspect it is part of their business plan as they all charge for tasting and do not comp the tasting fee if you buy wine. They may if you ask, but it's not offered.

That used to bother me but it does not anymore. Last weekend we saw that most people were treating the day more like a bar-hopping afternoon; we never saw anyone buy a bottle of wine to take with them. I have a feeling there are a lot of valle wineries who sell a lot of wine by the tasting fee - runs $120-$150mx per person; splitting the tasting between two people is OK.

BajaGeoff - 6-10-2016 at 03:17 PM

Hahahaha...no gato that was over many months when we were creating our guide to the wine country. There are so many great stories down there of how the wineries came to be.

Sol y Barro is probably my favorite because it's a small operation with great wine. Aime is a wonderful host: https://www.bajabound.com/destinations/bajawinecountry/solyb...

L.A. Cetto is worth a visit just to see the scale of how large their operation is plus the wine is good: https://www.bajabound.com/destinations/bajawinecountry/lacet...

Paralelo is an interesting visit as well...this winery is run by Hugo D'Acosta who is probably the most influential winemaker in the region: https://www.bajabound.com/destinations/bajawinecountry/paral...

Xecue is another winery with a great story: https://www.bajabound.com/destinations/bajawinecountry/xecue...

Quinta Monasterio is another favorite with wonderful hospitality: https://www.bajabound.com/destinations/bajawinecountry/quint...

Hope this helps....have fun down there!

elgatoloco - 6-10-2016 at 06:37 PM

Thanks all for the tips! We are looking forward to some R&R, great food and wine.

BajaGeoff - your guide is full of great info. Keep up the good work.
Santiago - always enjoy your take on things. We plan on buying and tasting :saint:
bajaguy - plan to hit Frannes tomorrow and make a res for Lechuga Sunday, finally.

This trip will be all about new stuff. No falling back on the same old same old.

bajaguy - 6-10-2016 at 06:59 PM

You won't be disappointed with either Lechuza or Frannes. Say "hey" to Kris and Adam at Lechuza. Frannes is worth the trip to find it

mtgoat666 - 6-10-2016 at 07:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Yes, most of them welcome walk-ins; in fact, I suspect it is part of their business plan as they all charge for tasting and do not comp the tasting fee if you buy wine. They may if you ask, but it's not offered.
OK.


I seem to remember that back in the old days they did not charge for tasting. I haven't been there in past 10 years or so, do they all charge now?
I suppose it's crowded now, Popularity killed it, eh?


[Edited on 6-11-2016 by mtgoat666]

bajadock - 6-10-2016 at 10:29 PM

http://www.meteored.mx/clima_Francisco+Zarco+Guadalupe-Ameri...

As summer arrives, weather forecast is my #1 advisor for wine valley tours. You are ln for mild temps this weekend, CHEERS

Santiago - 6-11-2016 at 07:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
You won't be disappointed with either Lechuza or Frannes. Say "hey" to Kris and Adam at Lechuza. Frannes is worth the trip to find it


Not been to Frannes yet but agree with BG on Lechuza - their cab was rated very good by our group last fall. Not cheap, mind you, but worth getting a bottle or two.

Santiago - 6-11-2016 at 08:02 AM

BG might chime in here but when we went to Lechuza there was 6 of us and they had a nice spread of meats, cheeses, olives and the like. I don't know if that is their normal procedure or if BG arraigned that. Anyway, I don't recall if they charged for the tasting, but between our group and BG I think we bought a case of wine so that probably covered it. Better ask ahead of time to get the current policy.

We still talk about the 1 hour wine tasting there, really a nice way to start the afternoon. Nice folks.

bajaguy - 6-11-2016 at 04:22 PM

I didn't request anything special but I think she (Kris) knew we were on the way with guests and we know the family personally. I have never been there when they didn't serve. Be interesting to hear Gato's review on both Lechuza and Frannes

I'm not a white drinker, but Frannes has a 2014 Sauvignon Blanc that blew my socks off........ended up getting a split case of red (2010 Legat Mezcla de Tintos) and the Sauvignon Blanc.
Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
BG might chime in here but when we went to Lechuza there was 6 of us and they had a nice spread of meats, cheeses, olives and the like. I don't know if that is their normal procedure or if BG arraigned that. Anyway, I don't recall if they charged for the tasting, but between our group and BG I think we bought a case of wine so that probably covered it. Better ask ahead of time to get the current policy.

We still talk about the 1 hour wine tasting there, really a nice way to start the afternoon. Nice folks.