Sunday, August 31, 2014

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




Friday, August 29, 2014

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

*******



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


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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.


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. 


Menu Report: Adobe Guadalupe Foodtruck


Photo credit: @gsvinos on Instagram

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More restaurant information here:  Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List 



Tuesday, August 26, 2014

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.


Monday, August 25, 2014

Restaurant Report: Tre Galline



Trip Report: Zen Girl


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


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

*****

Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List

Saturday, August 23, 2014

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.





Event Alert: Valle de Guadalupe Half Marathon


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


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Heart and Soul Art Festival



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


(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.


*****


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Tour Alert: Valle de Guadalupe - Club Tengo Hambre


Saturday, September 20, 2014
$165




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


Restaurant Review: Laja


Ringo Gato gives Laja a rave review on Chowhound.


*****


Monday, August 18, 2014

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



Saturday, August 16, 2014

Shout Out: DAV/D K/ND



*****


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.



Thursday, August 14, 2014

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?  





Tuesday, August 12, 2014