BajaNomad

Valle de Guadalupe

HeyMulegeScott - 4-30-2018 at 04:27 PM

For our last stop in Baja we headed to the beautiful Valle de Guadalupe from San Felipe. Highway 3 was a little rough in the desert but looked like the bigger potholes were patched. Once we got closer to Ensenada the last part was pretty twisty with cars passing you on blind corners and trucks getting pretty close on the narrow part. Ensenada was busy and tight. We finally made it to the RV Park at Rancho Sordo Mundo. A very nice spot.



The Encuentro Guadalupe hotel across the street gets $400 for a room.



The vineyard behind the park.



Luke, whose parents founded the ranch, came by to collect a donation and gave us a ton of info on places to go. Our first stop the next day was Vinos Fuentes with a free tasting. The next winery was Monte Xanic which was a beautiful winery with very nice wines and great views.



Our last stop was the stunning Las Nubes. Really good wines and we received a great explanation of the tasting in English. After the tasting, we ordered a couple of glasses and cheese plate to enjoy on the deck.





The next day we got back on Highway 3 and crossed through Tecate. No wait at the border but did get inspected and they confiscated some things from RV fridge.

David K - 4-30-2018 at 04:50 PM

Thanks for the trip report.

Some things?
Maybe the forbidden: pork products, raw chicken, raw eggs, one of the taboo fruits (oranges, pitahayas, etc.)??

HeyMulegeScott - 4-30-2018 at 05:07 PM

Raw frozen chicken but from Costco in the US and some ham. Maybe a couple of other items. Oh well Hard to believe we were in Baja for almost two months and still had stuff in the freezer from the US.

We would definitely come back here and stay longer next time.

David K - 4-30-2018 at 05:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Raw frozen chicken but from Costco in the US and some ham. Maybe a couple of other items. Oh well Hard to believe we were in Baja for almost two months and still had stuff in the freezer from the US.

We would definitely come back here and stay longer next time.



Oh yes! Once the product (from a U.S. market) enters Mexico, it instantly becomes Mexican. No uncooked chicken, uncooked eggs, or any ham or pork (cooked or raw). I think deep-fried pork skin snacks (CHICHARRONES) are okay, however!

I once had some Oscar Mayer lunch meat in my ice chest and on a trip in 2001, it was confiscated. I only brought turkey-based sandwich meat after that!

HeyMulegeScott - 5-12-2018 at 09:52 AM

Here's some notes my wife put together for a friend that might be helpful in planning your trip here -
First stop should be the Museo del Vino for a map of the area, directions, suggestions, etc.

Online map - http://larutavcc.com/mapa/

We tasted at:

Fuentes – Complimentary tasting. Good wine. Dinner at their restaurant, Sarmiento. Traditional Mexican. Big plates. Miguel, owner, and winemaker, stopped by the table.

Monte Xanic – Just down the road from Fuentes. Lovely view. Interesting architecture. Great wines. They offered tapas with paired tasting for 250P. Tasting was 300P. Tours can be scheduled.

Las Nubes – Best overall experience. Great wines. Views of the Valle. Tasting was 250P more or less. Food available. Highly recommend having a snack and a glass of wine after your tasting. #74 on the map.

Both Monte Xanic and Las Nubes mentioned on Outside Magazine's Favorite Mexican Getaways. Link below

https://www.outsideonline.com/2134846/experts-only?utm_sourc...

Some of our pictures here: http://www.awaywewinnebago.com/valle-de-guadalupe-baja-wine-...

We stayed at the donation only campground at Rancho Sordo Mundo. All proceeds support the school for the deaf. Please check their Needs page in the event you have room in the car, and your schedule, to drop off supplies. http://ranchosordomudo.com/needs

Luke, whose parents started the school, manages the campground and recommended these vineyards. Note: he likes beer too!

Baron Balche – for the wine, #62 on the map

Decantos – view, food and wine, #67 on the map

JC Bravo – great wine, especially whites

Finca La Carrodilla – small, gorgeous succulent garden, really good wines. Near #25 on the map.

Vinos Lafarga – visible from the campground, stone winery, great view of the Valle from the East

Encuentro Guadalupe - $400 / night, decent wines, good beer selection

Vinedos Malagon – good wine

La Case de Dona Lupe – great wine and restaurant

Cieli – great wine and beer

Media Perra - Great beers

Finca Altozano – Chef Javier Plascencia's place. EAT HERE IF YOU CAN

DeMarco Food Truck – next to the propane place, a quesadilla that will change your life

La Esperanza – great place for a late lunch, closes early

BajaBlanca - 5-12-2018 at 01:30 PM

Great report full of suggestions!

Paco Facullo - 5-12-2018 at 02:28 PM

I can't believe that with the many many times I've been to Baja that I have yet to do the vineyards and wine tasting ..
(I was probably distracted by all the great fishing, surfing, getting drunk and playing with the Chica's )

With all your detailed posts I will be making it soon. Thanks for all the great info. !

thebajarunner - 5-12-2018 at 05:12 PM

How much wine did you bring back and was it a problem?

HeyMulegeScott - 5-13-2018 at 08:25 AM

BajaBlanca - Thanks.

Paco Facullo - You're welcome. Enjoy.

thebajarunner - How much wine? Let's go with one liter per person.

fishbuck - 5-13-2018 at 10:26 AM

Looks nice.

fishbuck - 5-13-2018 at 10:31 AM

This looks fun but can it be done on a budget.
I have never spent $400/night for a room.
Nothing is that fun.

Paco Facullo - 5-13-2018 at 11:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
This looks fun but can it be done on a budget.
I have never spent $400/night for a room.
Nothing is that fun.

I can think of a few things that are worth $400 a night, but it ain't a stinkin room....

HeyMulegeScott - 5-13-2018 at 12:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  
This looks fun but can it be done on a budget.
I have never spent $400/night for a room.
Nothing is that fun.


Ha. Yep. We stayed across the street for a $20 per night donation in our RV. There's even an Airstream there you can rent on Airbnb for $45 -
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/22714472?location=Valle%20de%20...

redmercury - 6-30-2018 at 11:55 AM

I just read that the Mexican IRS has shut down the La Esperanza Restaurant in the Valle de Guadalupe for some kind of tax fraud.