| There aren't that many places in Mexico where | | | | ranches for camping, artisan centers, museums, |
| the combination of land, altitude, seasons, time | | | | wine boutiques, art galleries, small inns and |
| and weather come together in such a way as to | | | | B&Bs, Viñedo Adobe Guadalupe has its |
| give the ideal Mediterranean conditions for the | | | | own six bedroom B&B plus stables where |
| growing of grape vines, olives, refreshing citrus | | | | you can go horseback riding; all of this and the |
| fruits as well as the collection of honey. One such | | | | beautiful natural surroundings make this a special |
| area is located between the parallels 32o35 and | | | | tourist destination. Whether or not you come for |
| 31o15 North Latitude in the region known as the | | | | the wine, the food, ranches and other recreational |
| Wine Route; where not only the Guadalupe Valley | | | | areas still makes the trip worth while. |
| (Valle de Guadalupe) but also San Antonio de las | | | | The history of wine making in the Baja valleys is |
| Minas, Santo Tomas, Calafia, San Vicente, Las | | | | speculated to go all the way back to Hernan |
| Palmas, and the Tecate valleys extend | | | | Cortes, who in 1524 was the appointed governor |
| perpendicular to Baja's Pacific Coast. | | | | of the New Spain, ordered the planting of |
| Perfect for a romantic getaway or a family | | | | vineyards each year for 5 years, having as a |
| vacation, this part of Baja offers you a number | | | | result a grape that was known as criolla, and with |
| of choices for entertainment. If you choose to | | | | it establishing the first wine-producing haciendas in |
| venture into the wine valleys, you can start from | | | | Coahuila, Mexico. During the 16th century, the |
| Tecate in the north, sampling the beer that bears | | | | wine production was extended by the Jesuits to |
| the town's name, the Cuauhtemoc brewery, | | | | other parts of southern America like Argentina, |
| founded more than 110 years ago, offers guided | | | | Peru and Chile; by the 18th century it had |
| tours of their facility Monday through Saturdays, | | | | extended to Baja California and parts of western |
| from there you can continue your journey south | | | | United States. |
| by highway #3 which will take fist of all to the | | | | The first vineyard in the peninsula was planted by |
| Tanama Valley where Tanama Wines awaits with | | | | Father Ugarte a few years after the Nuestra |
| its beautiful gardens; continue on and you will | | | | Señora de Loreto Concha mission was |
| reach Valle de las Palmas, there you fill find the | | | | established in 1697 in the town of Loreto in |
| Cavas de Don Juan where you can stop by and | | | | Southern Baja. In 1888, on what was the |
| visit their store which offers products such as | | | | Dominican Mission of Santo Tomas, Francisco |
| grapes, honey, olives and olive oil. To the south of | | | | Andonegul and Miguel Ormart started the |
| Las Palmas you will find the Guadalupe Valley, also | | | | vineyards and wineries of Santo Tomas still in |
| known as Calafia Valley, home of the two largest | | | | operation today, making this the oldest |
| wine producing houses in the country Casa | | | | continuously operating wine producer in Northen |
| Domec and L.A. Cetto where you can sample | | | | Baja. Around 1904 Russian molokan immigrants |
| award winning wines and enjoy a tour of the | | | | and their families opposing the war, fled Russia to |
| cellars and fields; this valley is also home to Monte | | | | avoid being recruited by the Czarist armies, |
| Xanic, Chateau Camou, Adobe Guadalupe, | | | | originally settling in the Los Angeles area, they |
| Biyaboff with its Russian heritage, Baron Balche | | | | soon ended up in Guadalupe Valley, where they |
| where you might just want to take a closer look | | | | purchased land to cultivate their grape cuttings, |
| at the sand by the caves, you'll be surprised to | | | | along with oats, grasses, wheat and barley |
| discover you are standing on grape seeds. | | | | brought over from Europe. These Russian |
| Continuing the route further to the southwest, | | | | farmers where the first to bring wine production |
| San Antonio de las Minas Valley awaits with Casa | | | | to a large scale within the valley; the Bibayoff |
| de Piedra who offers a course on wine growing, | | | | winery, established in 1970 is owned by |
| Viña de Liceaga, Viñedos Lafarga, | | | | descendants of that group of immigrants |
| Vitivinicola Tres Valles, Vinisterra, one of the | | | | continuing with the family tradition that started in |
| newly established wine makers in the region, all of | | | | the 1930's; this winery along with Casa Domecq, |
| which offer tours and sampling; some require | | | | established in 1972; followed by L.A. Cetto in 1974 |
| reservations. If you continue south, 90 km past | | | | marked the growth of the valleys into what they |
| the city of Ensenada you will arrive in San Vicente | | | | are today. |
| Valley home to Vides y Vinos Californianos. | | | | If you have ever requested wine with your meal |
| Another option is to start from the south, taking | | | | while visiting Baja, chances are that you have |
| the scenic route (highway #1) all the way to the | | | | tasted some of these wines, in case you haven't |
| third toll booth, before entering Ensenada look for | | | | and are unsure to make the trip, there is a closer |
| the highway 3 exit (Ruta del Vino), toward | | | | starting point, L.A. Cetto has a facility close to |
| Tecate, which will take you to the San Antonio de | | | | downtown Tijuana, where they offer free tours |
| las Minas Valley. Tourist offices in Baja can | | | | of the cellars and sampling starting at 2 dollars; |
| provide you with a map of the wine route. | | | | several cultural activities such as concerts, and |
| Considering that this area is home to around 50 | | | | plays are presented in their venue, also available |
| wine producing houses from the large | | | | for your social or business events. |
| internationally know to the small family owned | | | | A warning for those living in the U.S.; you will be |
| artisan wine producers, a lot of which are gaining | | | | tempted to purchase more than one bottle of |
| international acceptance winning awards in Nappa | | | | wine to take back home with you. When you |
| Valley, Ensenada and Europe, it is impossible to list | | | | come to visit these valleys, be sure to visit this |
| all of them and their particular qualities. The best | | | | link, it tells you how much wine you can bring |
| way to experience them is to come down for a | | | | back with you to the U.S. To everybody living in |
| visit, along the Wine Route you will find choices of | | | | Mexico, feel free to take home as much Baja |
| dining from family restaurants to fine cuisine, | | | | wine as you like. |