Esparza vs Teague

Bill Esparza, a long time supporter of Valle de Guadalupe, wrote a rebuttal for the OC Weekly of Lettie Teague's piece that appeared in the Wall Street Journal.

For what it's worth, I'm on Esparaza's side although I have to admit that there are wines from the Valle that are a bit salty (euphemistically referred to as strong mineral notes) and some of the blends are down right weird.

You can read both articles here

Lettie Teague:  The Best Wines of Mexico's Burgeoning Baja Region

Bill Esparza:  The Wall Street Journal's Critic Spits on the Mexican Wine Industry with Unusual Saltiness

Cool Picture: Valle de Guadalupe

Photo credit:  @vinasdelaerre on Instagram.

La Esperanza Baja Med

Rumor has it that after a private event (Senor Cetto's birthday party) Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero's restaurant, La Esperazs Baja Med, will open soon thereafter.

Photo credit:  @bajamedbymiguelangel on Instagram

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Annotated Restaurant List - Valle de Guadalupe

Costa Oeste Update

Chef Erick Alcazar relayed the following information about his new campestre via a comment on a previous post.

Open:  Thursday through Monday; 12:00 to 8:00 

Reservations (646) 147-7914

Children and pets welcome

El Jardin de Adobe por Chef Ryan Steyn is Open

Thursday through Sunday

Reservations:

(664) 505-3946 or (646) 174-7501

eljrdindeadobe@gmail.com

El Jardin de Adobe por Chef Ryan Steyn - Facebook

Chef Profile: Martin San Roman

The Latin Kitchen profiles Chef Martin San Roman of La Terrasse San Roman.

Savor French-Mex Cuisine with Martin San Roman

La Ruta - VCC+ Smart Phone App - English Version

La Ruta - VCC+ is the leading provider of information about Valle de Guadalupe.  They have just added to their lead by releasing an English version of their smart phone app.

LaRutaEng

Additional information here: La Ruta - VCC+

Ensenada Toll Road to open 9/15

Based upon the size and scope of December's landslide I thought it would take a year or more to reopen the toll road.  It appears my estimation skills could use some work.  Officials continue to say that the road will open on September 15. 

Rosarito-Ensenada Toll Road to Reopen on September 15

Menu Report: Adobe Guadalupe Foodtruck

Photo credit: @gsvinos on Instagram

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More restaurant information here:  Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List 

New Web Site Alert: Bajatourist.com

As I've written several times, a web site that contains comprehensive information about Valle de Guadalupe and is updated regularly is a sorely needed resource. 

Every couple a months a new site pops onto my radar that promises to fill the void.  They all seem to get off to promising starts and and then they stagnate into uselessness.  Visit Valle de Guadalupe and Mexican Wine Valley are just the latest two examples of sites that started ambitiously and have since fizzled.

So, in that context I'm curious to see what becomes of Bajatourist.com.  The site looks slick though the user interface is a bit clunky and difficult to navigate. And as of today, there is very little useful information on the site. But who knows, maybe these web entrepreneurs will be the ones who pull it off.

Bajatourist.com

Baja Tourist - Facebook

Restaurant Report: Tre Galline

Tre Galline, la mejor opcion para comer Italiano en Valle de Guadalupe

Trip Report: Zen Girl

Traveling with a large group takes flexibility.  Zen Girl, Mandy Burstein, takes it to a whole new level.

72 Hours in Baja: How to Pull Off a Birthday Bash, South of the Border

Rondo del Valle Vinicola - Open for Tastings

Over a year ago we wandered onto the Rancho El Parral property and were immediately greeted by Albert the owner.  He graciously gave us a tour of his lovely bed and breakfast and when we asked about the construction taking place at the back of his property.  He replied, "That's my winery." And, although it was a complete construction zone Albert gave us a tour of it as well.

We were blown away.

The winery is built into the side of a small hill and could easily been used as a set in a James Bond movie.  Lots of concrete and glass.  In a region with many fantastic wineries, Albert's Rondo del Valle stood out.

In the meantime, we have visited the Valle on many occasions and looked to see if Rondo del Valle was open to the public. We were always disappointed to find that it had not.

Based upon today's Facebook post it looks like that has changed.

Rondo del Valle's Facebook page:

Rondo del Valle
Tasting Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rondo del Valle email

Cervezas - Cerveceria del Valle

A couple months ago we were wined out after a full day of wine tasting in the Valle.  We asked Kristin, our host at our final tasting at Lechuza, where we could find a cold beer and some good food. She hesitated about a millisecond and pointed us toward Cerverceria del Valle.

Cerverceria del Valle is easy to find.  It is located right on Highway 3 at km 91.  It has an extensive selection of craft beers from Baja and San Diego.  The food is elevated pub grub (sliders, tostadas, etc.) that belies the humble setting.

As we were leaving we spotted Kristin and her husband, Adam, enjoying a cold beer and some wings. Confirming that winemakers really do have excellent taste.

Cerveceria del Valle - Facebook
Yelp

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Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Event Alert: Ricky Martin - Valle de Guadalupe

Sunday, November 2

Vinedos San Gabriel

Tickets/Boletos

Cervezas - La Malta del Valle

Yes, Valle de Guadalupe is one of the best wine producing regions in the world, but there are plenty of places in the Valle where you can enjoy a cold beer.  I thought I would highlight some of those places this week.

First up - La Malta del Valle.

La Malta del Valle - Facebook

Event Alert: Valle de Guadalupe Half Marathon

After a summer of sampling the Valle's cuisine this might be a very good idea.

Valle de Guadalupe Half Marathon Info

Winery Report: Life + Food - Lechuza

Valle de Guadalupe: Lechuza Winery

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Winery List - Valle De Guadalupe

Trip Report: Fake Plastic Barrels (2)

Museo del Vino and Deckman's

Heart and Soul Art Festival

Heart and Soul Art Festival - Facebook

Baja Wine Club - Inaugural Tasting of Wines from Valle de Guadalupe

Baja Wine Club - Inaugural Wine Tasting

Thursday, August 28

6:00 to 8:00 pm

Savoie French and Italian Eatery, Chula Vista

$10/$15

RSVP (310) 871-5705

Baja Wine Club - Facebook Event

(I'm probably not the right person to point this out, but someone's graphic designer needs to use spell check)

Costa Oeste Cocina Opens Friday

Chef Erick Alcazar (formerly of Latitud 32) helms this campestre on the grounds of Vinas de la Erre.

Vinas de la Erre - Facebook

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Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Tour Alert: Valle de Guadalupe - Club Tengo Hambre

Saturday, September 20, 2014

$165

Valle de Guadalupe + Baja Cookout

Sneak Peek: Bracero

Javier Plascencia is continuing the cross pollination of Baja and San Diego food culture with his new restaurant in Little Italy, Bracero.  He offered a glimpse into his plans and team today on social media.

Photo credit:  @javierplascencia on Instagram

Photo credit:  @javplascencia on Twitter

Hotel Review: Casa Encinares

Whale-ista wrote about their stay at Casa Encinares on the Baja Nomad Forum

Casa Encinares, Valle de Guadalupe

Restaurant Review: Laja

Ringo Gato gives Laja a rave review on Chowhound.

Laja at 14

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Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Cool Picture" Vena Cava

Photo credit:  @ricardo_montano on Instagram

Adobe Guadalupe's Tasting Room/Tienda and Food Truck Are Open For Business

Not quite in time for Las Fiestas de Vendemia, but the Valle now has another place to enjoy a glass of wine and eat some food.

Adobe Guadalupe

Adobe Guadalupe - Facebook 

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Valle de Guadalupe - Food trucks

Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Concert Alert: Guadalupe Pineda

Guadalupe Pineda with Oquesta y Mariachi

Baron Balche Winery

Saturday, September 13

Tickets $1150 mn to $1850 mn

Information:  (646) 155-2141 or (664) 62-5276

Baron Balche Facebook Notice

Cool Picture: Hotel Encuentro

Photo Credit:  @encuentroantiresorts on Instagram

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Valle de Guadalupe - Internet Ressources

Menu Report: La Terraza Parilla

La Terraza Parilla is the campestre at Vinicola Torres Alegre y Familia.  I'm sure the menu changes daily, but this picture from their Facebook page will give you an idea of their offerings.

La Terraza Parilla - Facebook

Vinicola Torres Alegre y Familia - Facebook

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Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Valle de Guadalupe - Internet Resources

Shout Out: DAV/D K/ND

June 3, 2014 (6:10 PM) Travel

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Valle de Guadalupe - Internet Resources

La Esperanza Pictures

Unlike Tahal and Costa Oeste that seemed to open over night, La Esperanza Baja Med has taken its time. Based upon the pictures they recently posted on Facebook it looks like they might be serving up some of Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero's food soon.

La Esperanza Baja Med - Facebook

Cool Picture: Adobe Guadalupe

Photo credit:  @mayrafloresg on Instagram

Cool Picture: Valle de Guadalupe

Photo credit:  @Monikapc on Twitter

First Look: La Tienda de Adobe

Today on Facebook Leda Gamboa Rojas posted pictures of Adobe Guadalupe's new tasting room/tienda and the food truck that will be located on site.

Word has it that they are working overtime to open this weekend.

Road Work During One of the Biggest Weekends of the Year

Javier Plascencia (@javplascencia) posted these photos today on Twitter of traffic congestion caused by road work being done on the free road.

So, whose brilliant plan was to schedule this job during Valle de Guadalupe's biggest weekend of the year?  

Shout Out: Ruidoso News

World of Wines: Make a road trip to Mexico's wine country

New Restaurant Alert: Costa Oeste

Looks like Vinas de la Erre is getting into the campestre business.

Here's what I know so far:

Name:  Costa Oeste

Chef:  Erik Alcazar (formerly worked at Latitud 32)

Location:  Vinas de Erre (directly across Highway 3 from Vinas de Garza)

Opening:  Soon

Vinas de la Erre - Facebook

Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Trip Report: Ana Saldivar

Una Nueva Aventura

Trip Report: Log Alert

Ruta de J

Trip Report: Mimski

Not a lot of info here, but Mimski was certainly impressed by the Valle.

Wine Tasting ... in Mexico

Latin Food Fest 2014

The wines and food from Valle de Guadalupe will have a large presence at this year's Latin Food Fest

Latin Food Fest

Latin Food Fest - Facebook