Food, Wine and Activity Guide to Valle de Guadalupe

What does one do in wine country? Uhh drink wine, of course. Here are the top vineyards to check out:

Vena Cava: The “The hippest winery in Mexico". Order the seafood tostada at the TROIKA food truck on site.

Bruma: An eco-luxury winery in tune with nature. Enjoy organic red blends and chardonnays bottled on site over a meal at their on-site restaurant, Fauna.

Monte Xanic: Noted as the valley’s first maker of high-quality wines. Their masterpiece is the Gran Ricardo, a mix of cab, merlot and petit verdot grapes. This is the one bottle (or case) to bring back.

Adobe Guadalupe: Beautiful Vineyard, Hacienda-style Inn and Azteca horse breeding. Enjoy excellent reds and a chance to go horseback riding through a vineyard (tip: ride first).

Cuatro Cuatros: A short drive west to the oceanside, this hotel and vineyard property boasts amazing aerial views of the Pacific and whites that are hard to find in the region. Be sure to book a table in advance and post up here to catch a gorgeous sunset.

El Cielo: All-Inclusive Winery, Boutique Hotel and Restaurant With A Scenic Backdrop. Options to do a bike tour, wagon tour or rent a golf cart to roam the winery grounds. Regular tastings are also available.

Finca La Carrodilla: Sit in the rooftop garden and have a glass of the crisp biodynamic chenin blanc

These last two may not be vineyards, but they boast some of the most Instagrammable scenery in Valle.

Bloodlust: Wine bar inside of a pumpkin (yes, you read that right). Get there before dark to capture stunning images of the architecture. Or hang out after dark if you want an intimate bar vibe. If you’re there on a Friday or Saturday, you might even catch a live DJ set.

Ojá: With a zebra farm at the entrance and some very IG-worthy mirror moments, Ojá doesn’t disappoint when it comes to content opportunities. Not to mention the vibey music and delicious oysters. This is a great pre-dinner drink spot.

Day Trips

Explore Ensenada, a port city on the Baja Peninsula located a short 45-minute drive southwest of Valle.

Fauna: Run by an Eleven Madison Park Alum, Chef David Castro Hussong, Fauna is arguably the top restaurant in Valle. Its long communal tables and rustic, industrial interior create a sense of warmth you won’t want to leave. As for the food, you can’t go wrong with the tasting menu.

Deckman’s en el Mogor: Farm-to-table restaurant concept boasting locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and open-air fire stoves. It’s the perfect setting for a long, intimate, vino-fueled lunch.

Animalón: Seasonal fine dining restaurant under an oak tree in the heart of Valle. Tasting menus and wine pairings are a great way to try their heavy hitters. Reservations fill up fast, so be sure to time your booking accordingly.

La Cocina de Doña Esthela: This Anthony Bourdain-approved breakfast spot is truly an institution in Valle. From lamb burritos to pancakes de elote, Doña Esthela’s farm-to-table menu delivers something for everyone. Get there early to beat the line.

Salvia Blanca Cocina: Delicious, dependable food for brunch, lunch or dinner surrounded by gorgeous vineyard and garden views. Located on the same property as Contemplación Hotel.

Casa Frida: Artsy tasting room with rooftop and lake deck. One of the few spots open late night in Valle, though only on Saturday nights until 12:00 am.

Bakkus Oyster Bar: Lively, large oyster bar and restaurant. One of the few late night drinking options in Valle, Bakkuss is open until 12:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Poseidon Restaurant: Located in Puerto Nuevo, a small waterfront village between Tijuana and Valle. Driving down to Valle? Kick off your weekend trip with a pit-stop here for decadent (but affordable!) lobster dinner overlooking the Atlantic ocean.