Forget Oregon or California. Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, is the stunning wine destination I think everyone should visit this summer.
As a seasoned sommelier and travel advisor, I’m often on the hunt for under-the-radar wine regions. In search of somewhere new and exciting, I recently visited Valle de Guadalupe and was blown away by its innovative wineries and incredible dining, all set amid a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and expansive vineyards.
It was fairly easy for me to get to: I flew into San Diego International Airport, rented a car, and drove about two hours south. (Pro tip: Cross the border at Tijuana for gorgeous ocean views, or at Tecate for a thrilling drive through the mountains.)
With a stunning desert-meets-mountain landscape and an incredible food and wine scene, this Baja California wine region is the No. 1 destination I’m recommending to my clients this summer.
Valle de Guadalupe is home to many charming hotels
I highly recommend staying at the Contemplación Resort & Spa. Centrally located within Valle de Guadalupe, I found it to be the ideal jumping-off point to visit the best of what the valley has to offer.
Along with beautiful views of the nearby mountains, the resort features a venerable on-site restaurant, pool, and spa, with a sprawling property that includes lavender fields and a charming garden walking path.
There’s no shortage of other centrally located boutique hotels, too — a few others that caught my eye were El Cielo Resort and Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe.
Woven into the valley’s beauty are gorgeous tasting rooms and sprawling vineyards
Nichole Pareti
There are over 100 wineries in this region, so there is truly something for everyone.
I highly recommend visiting Vena Cava Vinícola. The winery’s tasting room notably features a ceiling made from a reclaimed fishing boat. It made for a very cool tasting experience, where I found the wine selection to be robust with zippy whites and delicious reds.
About 15 minutes down the road, you’ll find Finca La Carrodilla, the first winery in the region to become certified organic. Here, you can enjoy a serene tasting in a rooftop garden surrounded by miles of plush vineyards.
Also worth mentioning are Bruma Vinícola — located a little further out of the valley’s center — and Mina Penélope and Cava Miel, boutique wineries featuring terroir-driven wines.
Along with amazing wine, the food scene is unmatched
The food in Valle de Guadalupe was, perhaps, the best I’ve ever eaten, from fresh and vibrant seafood from the Baja coastlines to mouthwatering regional salsas and impeccably cooked steak and duck.
Not one but five Michelin-starred restaurants can be found here, all within a 20-minute drive of one another.
My top choice for incredible seafood is Conchas de Piedra. Meanwhile, for a tasting menu you’ll never forget, check out Animalòn, where you can dine under an ancient oak tree — and, as night falls, the stars.
Other spots I loved visiting were Deckman’s En El Mogor and Finca Altozano, which both have airy outdoor spaces that allow you to slow down and admire the valley’s natural beauty.
Many of the best restaurants are attached to wineries, making it easy to visit before or after your tastings. I had a particularly memorable meal at Troika, an upscale food truck off the side of Vena Cava.
Having just come from a tasting, I was ravenous and eagerly ordered the afternoon’s pork belly and mushroom taco special along with a glass of sauvignon blanc, which I enjoyed while sitting under the netted awning and gazing out at the mountains.
Summer is the best time to visit
Nichole Pareti
Harvest begins in late July, making summer the ideal time to experience lush vineyards, exciting festivals, and a vibrant dining scene.
That said, it’s also the busiest, so make sure to book your dining and tasting room reservations well in advance. I usually recommend sticking to just two or three tastings a day to enjoy each winery to the fullest.
