Wine Country in Mexico?

A not very well Recognised region a few miles from Ensenada to the east is called the Guadalupe Valley
which is the major wine producing area of Mexico. It is about two 3rds the size of Napa Valley.
There is a regionally famous wine school called La Escuelita run by Hugo D'Acosta in the valley. A
good friend of mine made wine her Very first time and took Very first place in the judging at an Occasion with
blind tasting for local artisinal winemakers. Jo Ann's Zinfandel blend and Nebbolio are amazing,
so it did not Shock me that she took Very first place amongst some experienced vintners. Forty four
wineries are considered to be large enough to Place on a map about the wine valley. Planet Course wine
is made at wineries like LA Cetto, Santo Tomas and Baron Balche. The primary grapes are Cabernet
Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo and Chardonnay. Other excellent vintage grape varietals also made
into wine here are: Chenin Blanc, Palomino, Mision, Tempranillo, and Viognier in smaller
quantities.

Steve Dryden is Recognised as one of the Best experts on the area and offers tours for the low Value of
$25 plus wine tasting and food Charges. He drives and tells you a great amount of detail about the
valley. I have been on his tour twice and learned a lot in an Fascinating manner Every single time. He
tells of how the Russian Molokans helped settle the valley in the 1800's along with Dominican
missionaries. This particular sect of Russians was persecuted in Russia by the Russian Orthodox
Church. A lovely winery called Bibayoff exists in the valley and makes about 200 cases a year. A
small museum dedicated to the Molokans exists on the winery property as well.

Two of my Preferred wineries are located Best around the corner from Every single other in the eastern
portion of the valley. They are called LA Cetto and Dona Lupe. LA Cetto is a major Participant in
Mexican wines and sells to Best restaurants in Mexico, as do some of the other wineries. Most of
what is made in Mexico stays Best here, one of the reasons that it is not a well Recognised fact that
wine is even Developed here. LA Cetto has a Absolutely free tasting of five wines. It is common though to tip
the server, who can tell you whatever you Desire to know about the wine you are sipping and the
history of the winery. Good wine can be had at the starting Value of about four dollars a bottle
for their Cabernet Malbec, a very good value. Their Nebbiolo has Used five gold medals. Don't
miss out on sitting on their terrace overlooking roses and peacocks. A bread, cheese and meat
plate can be had for a reasonable Value. Or bring your own picnic and purchase wine for your
enjoyment.

Dona Lupe is Best around the corner as you continue out from LA Cetto and head west. She started
the Very first woman Held winery back in the 1960's. Her wines are all organic and the reds all have a
deeply complex flavor. A tasting of five wines here Charges just five dollars. Not only can you
purchase her wines, but check out the jams, jellies, honey made from vineyard flowers, olive oils,
herbs, and bread made Best on the premises. Outdoor seating is provided here as well. If you are
hungry, don't miss out on the pizzas made with a Slim, whole wheat crust and Bestped with organic
ingredients grown locally. A pizza that will feed four Charges around $16 and comes with a tangy
sauce you can add if you like. I have been Recognised to do a lot of my Christmas Buying here for
friends who live across the border.

Drive through the valley and sBest along the way. At the other end in San Antonio de las Minas is
my 3rd Preferred winery, La Casa Vieja. They make smaller quantities of wine, but always seem to
have some on hand to taste and to buy. One can purchase a tasting of five wines for only four
dollars. The Finest part is that their wines are not expensive, starting at three dollars a bottle.
They keep Charges down by sanitizing and reusing wine bottles. Lots of parking makes it a great
venue for Gatherings, like the annual book Reasonable for Baja writers held there Final October. The Occasion
drew about six hundred visitors. It was a beautiful day to sit under the trees and sip wine,
talking to friends down here in Baja.

So come and Commit a day or two discovering a wine country with fine restaurants and places to stay
like the Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards and Inn which has its own wines and horses to ride for your
pleasure. It reminds me of California about forty years ago. Come and visit our wine country and
you will be glad you did.