Santiago
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Valle Guadalupe, Big Palapas, and La Fonda
Last few weeks, SWMBO and I went to our place in Bahia de Los Angeles and along the way stopped into a few favorite wineries and some new ones.
After crossing at Tecate we dropped into the valley and while we usually make our first stop at L.A. Cetto, this time we drove past it a quarter mile
and stopped at Donna Lupe. We enjoyed this stop very much; a Sunday with many families, lots of interesting foods, salsas, spreads, jams etc. They
are very proud of their organic traditions and always note that Donna Lupe was the first women to open a winery in Baja 45 years ago. Wines were just
'OK' in our humble opinion, and we're definately not snobs. I tried their habenero/tomato spread and it was really good. Definately worth a stop -
their pizza looked good too.
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Of course, we could not not stop at L.A. Cetto as it was on the way back to the hiway. Always a good stop. Here is my better half slip-sliding away
into happy wine-tasting land. By the way, it's definitely getting around to rose time and L.A.Cetto makes a nice dry rose with lots of fruit. Hit
the spot.
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Next stop was Vinicola Suenos. We always stop here becasue we like the grounds and tasting rooms. This time they have used a local artist to make
the labels - they only way you know what's in the bottle is the color of the cap and we've completely forgotten the code. They only make vino tinto:
cabs, merlot, sarah, a zin of all things, and a blend of something-or-other. Wines are not up to L.A.Cetto standards, but the senora who pours the
wines wears a really, really tight dress. You can buy the wines with the standard labels or the artsy ones, $5 more for the artsy - supposed to go
the artist. The first two are some of the labels, the next is the inside of the tasting room.
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Here is a map for Guadalupe rookies:
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After working on our cabin for 3 or 4 days, we headed out to get some fishing and water time and when we turned the corner into Bahia Pescado (south
of BOLA 5 or 10 miles) we were stunned a the work that has been done to the boat-in camp: three or four of the biggest palapas we've ever seen and
freaking street lights, of all things. They were LED, but still. Palapas were beautiful and the caretaker said they were built by crews from the
mainland.[img] [/img]
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On our way home we decided to stay the night at La Fonda - I thought I would point out some badly need maintenance: Take a look at the post to the
right of the corner in front of the palm, you can see sky between the top of the post and the beam it is supposed to hold up and railing is sloping
way down. Doesn't instill much confidence.
[img] [/img]
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BajaBlanca
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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that is one good-looking palapa !!!
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woody with a view
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dona lupe's is awesome.
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Roberto
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Amazing work they've done down there. Looked pretty deserted - but then again this is probably not the "high season". It's been years since I've
visited there, and I've since sold my boat. What info do you have regarding getting there, staying there, etc.?
And yes, the pizza at Dona Lupe's is pretty good. Not Italian, really, but good nonetheless and well worth eating. Did you get any of the various
preserves, canned goods, brittle, etc.?
[Edited on 7-3-2011 by Roberto]
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wilderone
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"Bahia Pescado"? You mean Ensenada el Pescador? Is that island in the distance Isla el Pescador?
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goldhuntress
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I love stopping to see Dona Lupe. The wines aren't great but she is a really cool lady and local medicine women. She's from Sonora and told me they
lived 2 days from a doctor so she learned a lot about herbal and natural medicine. She also told me her late husband worked in LA and she planted all
the grapes, I think she said 15,000, by herself. Looks like a fun trip!
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Santiago
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
"Bahia Pescado"? You mean Ensenada el Pescador? Is that island in the distance Isla el Pescador? |
Yes, of course. I couldn't quite remember the name so I dug out my AAA map and as I was typing it, I knew it was somehow wrong.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
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Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Santiago, we did the wine tour and buying also since we are down here the next four months. The L.A. Cetto we really like due to all the choices and
they don't charge you for the wine tasting as long as you buy something. The other places charge $9 dollars per person for the wine tasting and bring
out some bread with spreads to put on them to help in your tasting experience. None of the others even come close to LA Cetto wines and will now just
head straight for LA Cetto from now on as wife enjoys it the most. Love the weather right now in Las Gaviotas and not in the 114 heat at El Centro
and I know it is heading for 118 to 120 soon not FUN at all!! Take Care & Travel Safe--------------- "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN!!
bajafun777
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