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| photo by Erin Dunigan |
La Finca Altozano - A Delight to the Senses
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Restaurant Update: Flor Franco's Hotel Encuentro Project
Via Flor Franco's Twitter feed (@ChefFlorFranco)
"Table is set! I'm ready to Open the first cantina in Valle de Guadalupe, stay tuned."
Additional info: Chef Flor Franco Joins Encuentro Guadalupe
Monday, April 28, 2014
Kenny G Saturday, June 28 - Valle de Guadalupe
Lots and lots of music in the Valle this summer. Santo Tomas, El Cielo, and L.A. Cetto are all hosting big name concerts.
The Kenny G event will include food prepared by 5 chefs and wine (of course). I believe Roberto Alocer (Malva) is the only chef who has been announced.
You can find more info here:
You can find more info here:
Baja Bash - Charity Event to Benefit Baja's Coast and Ocean
There are certainly a lot of Valle de Guadalupe themed events taking place in San Diego these days. The Baja Bash is being held to benefit Wildcoast and its efforts to preserve Baja's coast and ocean. The Bash will feature Valle de Guadalupe chefs Javier Plascencia and Flor Franco and also wines from the region.
The Details
3rd Annual Baja Bash
Saturday, June 28th
Coronado Cays Yacht Club
5:30 - 10:00 PM
Information and tickets
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Destination Weddings - Valle de Guadalupe
1) Valle de Guadalupe is a beautiful place.
2) People like to get married in beautiful places.
3) Wedding photographers take beautiful pictures of beautiful weddings in beautiful places.
Samples:
Valle de Guadalupe Real Wedding: Jamie & Luke (with links to their resources)
Alex Aguirre Photography
Beauty by Stacey
Green Wedding Shoes
Jessica Sanchez
David Josue
Be Still
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Winery List - Valle de Guadalupe
Wedding Planners
Estate Weddings and Events
Baja Winery Tours
Friday, April 25, 2014
Ruta VCC+'s Valle de Guadalupe IPhone App Available Now
I downloaded the app today and as my middle school science teacher used to say, "all potential no kinetic". Obviously this a work in progress. The app currently does not have much in the way of usable content, but when it does it could be a very useful tool. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Trip Report: Club Tengo Hambre
Check out the pictures of CTH's April 12 trip to the Valle.
Valle de Guadalupe: Wine and Baja Cookout - Saturday, April 12, 2014
Valle de Guadalupe: Wine and Baja Cookout - Saturday, April 12, 2014
Trip Report Part I - Chipotle (Hey, that's me!)
Given my usual slow pace of writing about our trips to the Valle, it's going to take a few days to put together the whole report. So, instead of waiting until I finish the account in its entirety I'm going publish sections as I finish them.
This was a quick turn around trip. We drove down Saturday morning and returned Sunday evening. Our goal was to hit some of our favorite spots but wanted to do some exploring as well.
Mission accomplished.
April 19
We arrived at the border a little after 9:30 AM and we were pleasantly surprised to find that traffic was not backed up. We crossed the border without any delay, in fact, traffic was really light the entire way down. After a quick stop at a Rosarito ATM to get some pesos, we arrived at the Valle about 11:00.
Stop One - Mogor Badan's farmer's market and winery
The market is very small, but it's a great place to start getting into the rhythm of the Valle. We bought a loaf of bread (still warm from the oven) and some of their chipotle cream cheese spread which we started consuming immediately. Delicious would be an under statement.
We had a chance to chat with Natalia Badan the owner of the farm/winery about the recent zoning controversy. It was good to hear her say that the recent changes to the zoning plan that had been approved in a very hinky manner had been disallowed. She's also optimistic that a new plan would be negotiated in good faith. Very good news indeed.
We were getting a little thirsty, so we did a tasting at the winery. The Mogor Badan winery is one of my favorites. It typifies the small family run wineries of the Valle and is a good place to sip some wine to the sounds of clucking chickens.
This was a quick turn around trip. We drove down Saturday morning and returned Sunday evening. Our goal was to hit some of our favorite spots but wanted to do some exploring as well.
Mission accomplished.
April 19
We arrived at the border a little after 9:30 AM and we were pleasantly surprised to find that traffic was not backed up. We crossed the border without any delay, in fact, traffic was really light the entire way down. After a quick stop at a Rosarito ATM to get some pesos, we arrived at the Valle about 11:00.
Stop One - Mogor Badan's farmer's market and winery
The market is very small, but it's a great place to start getting into the rhythm of the Valle. We bought a loaf of bread (still warm from the oven) and some of their chipotle cream cheese spread which we started consuming immediately. Delicious would be an under statement.
We had a chance to chat with Natalia Badan the owner of the farm/winery about the recent zoning controversy. It was good to hear her say that the recent changes to the zoning plan that had been approved in a very hinky manner had been disallowed. She's also optimistic that a new plan would be negotiated in good faith. Very good news indeed.
We were getting a little thirsty, so we did a tasting at the winery. The Mogor Badan winery is one of my favorites. It typifies the small family run wineries of the Valle and is a good place to sip some wine to the sounds of clucking chickens.
La Esperanza Update: Opening Late May?
Via Miguel Angel Guerrero's Instagram feed - @bajamedbymiguelangel
...... con la intención de abrir a finales de Mayo!!!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
3 Mujeres Hosting Book Event
Visiting the Valle this weekend I noticed that most of the wineries had copies of the book, Bebiendo Nuestra Tierra - El Vino Mexicano (Drinking Our Earth - Mexican Wine) prominently displayed.
Tomorrow Vinicola de 3 Mujeres is hosting an event honoring one of the authors, Memo Garcia. El Pinar de 3 Mujeres will provide snacks.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Green Flash Brewery and Malva Cocina de Baja California Join Forces
As I noted in February Green Flash Brewery and Roberto Alcocer of Malva Cocina de Baja California are partnering for a special event at the brewery.
Here are the details:
Behind the Craft: Farm to Table with Malva Cocina de Baja California
Monday, May 12
6:30 - 8:30
Green Flash Brewery
6550 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, Ca 92121
We're Back
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| Photo taken by Marc F |
Had another excellent weekend in the Valle. Visited some old favorites (Mogor Badan, Troika and Finca Altozano) made some new favorites (Lechuza, Quinta Maria) and discovered lots of places to investigate more thoroughly. A more detailed trip report coming soon.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Paella @ Hotel Encuentro
Ya está lista la paella de Raúl Zazueta... Paella San Sebastian!!!
Estará en nuestro Comedor Campestre a partir de hoy jueves hasta el próximo domingo 20 de abril.
A disfrutar del fin de semana santa!!!
******
Raúl Zazueta's paella is ready... Paella San Sebastian!
It will be in our campestre starting today Thursday to Sunday 20 April.
Enjoy the Easter weekend!
It will be in our campestre starting today Thursday to Sunday 20 April.
Enjoy the Easter weekend!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Hotel 360: Hotel Encuentro - Valle de Guadalupe
Thinking staying at Hotel Encuentro (formerly Hotel Endemico) the Valle's iconic pod hotel?
Here's some info:
Hotel Encuentro
Trip Advisor
SippitySup
Life + Food
Monday, April 14, 2014
Alejandro Fernandez at El Cielo - Ticket Information
Via El Cielo's Facebook page
Compartimos información sobre la venta de boletos para el concierto de Alejandro Fernández. Telefóno: 646-129-17-02
También estará el punto de venta en la vinÃcola en horario de 10-18 hrs. toda la semana.
Adquiere tus boletos!
*************
We share information about the sale of tickets for the concert by Alejandro Fernández.
Phone: 646-129-17-02
We will also be the point of sale in the wine country. Hours 10:00 - 6:00 throughout the week.
Get your tickets!
Get your tickets!
Trip Report: Club Tengo Hambre's 4 Day Get Away
CTH has a nice photo essay of their tour this month to Tijuana, Ensenada, and Valle de Guadalupe.
Club Tengo Hambre's Baja California 4 Day Getaway
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Rick Bayless in the Valle de Guadalpe
Rick Bayless filmed an episode of Mexico: One Plate at a Time in the Valle de Guadalupe a couple of years ago.
You can watch the episode here: World Class Wines of Mexico
Valle de Guadalupe: Wineries, Hotels, and Restaurants
I have slowly but surely been compiling lists with links to the Valle's wineries, hotels, and restaurants. Though certainly not complete they can provide a good starting off point for planning a visit to the Valle.
For convenience I've collected the links to the lists here:
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
La Esperanza - Progress Report
There are some pictures of the construction of Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero's new restaurant on La Esperanza's Facebook page
La Esperanza Baja Med Cocina 360
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Annotated Restaurant List - Valle de Guadalupe
La Esperanza Baja Med Cocina 360
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Annotated Restaurant List - Valle de Guadalupe
Special Event: Supper Liberation Front @ Corazon de Tierra
3 chefs
8 tiempos
Bebidas sin descorche
Reservas en Corazón de Tierra al (646) 1568030
Los esperamos!
8 tiempos
Bebidas sin descorche
Reservas en Corazón de Tierra al (646) 1568030
Los esperamos!
********
3 chefs
8 courses
Drinks without corkage
Reservations at Corazon de Tierra (646) 1568030
Hope to see you! (Translated by Bing)
Monday, April 7, 2014
Trip Report: Death For Food
Jamie Fritsch spent a day in the Valle de Guadalupe checking out the food. I think he was impressed.
Valle de Guadalupe w/ Javier Plascencia
Free Web Seminar Series - The Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Wine Country
The first of a series of four web seminars about the Valle de Guadalupe begins at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, April 8.
Guys! Tomorrow, Tuesday, is the first FREE online webinar we're hosting on Baja Wine Country. Join us!
Sitara Monica Perez of ValleyGirlBajaWine.com will be our guest. She is incredibly knowledgeable, adventurous and a ton of fun. She has her own wine label and leads tours of the valley.
RSVP at http://ow.ly/vwUob and we'll see you tomorrow, April 8 at 6 PM!
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Trip Report: A Gringo in Mexico
A Gringo in Mexico (W. Scott Koenig) is getting into the tour business. He recently made a practice run to the Valle de Guadalupe and wrote a very detailed account of the trip.
New Restaurant: Lozhka Bistrot de Cocina Local
Obviously I have never been confused with Sherlock Holmes. A few posts earlier I speculated about a new restaurant in the Valle based upon some Instagram pictures. Turns out that this is not exactly a secret project. They have a Facebook page for goodness sake.
Via the Lozhka Bistrot Facebook page
In 1905 the Guadalupe Valley recorded the arrival of the Bibayoff family, more than one century of presence in the history of winemaking in Mexico they have marked the tradition of passion for his homeland by the Russian heritage of knowledge and make.
We have taken the decision to make an Alliance that allows to continue the permanence of the flavours of the Bibayoff family, including the benefits of the Baja California, local, sustainable products of the land and the sea.
Lozhka, spoon in Russian, will be the bistro of Local cuisine that promises to amalgamate the story of a family committed to its origin seasoned by the recreated Cook, chef Bossuet. (Translated by Bing)
Saturday, April 5, 2014
La Esperanza Baja Med Cocina
There have been some hints about Chef Miguel Angel Guerrero's newest project on his Instagram feed but this Facebook page should fill in some details.
Looks like this addition to the Valle located on the L.A Cetto property will be opening soon.
Friday, April 4, 2014
New Restaurant???
I was noodling around Instagram and searched for the hashtag valledeguadalupe and discovered something interesting. It seems that Chef Jose Bossuet Martinez of Cafe Contento in San Miguel Allende has been in the Valle and posting some Grams.
I'll let you check them out.
Instagram Picture 1
Instagram Picture 2
Instagram Picture 3
So, what do you think? New restaurant? On the Bibayoff property? June?
Twitter Update:
@LisaEkus looking forward in @cafecontento #sanmigueldeallende & next June @LozhkaBistrot #ValledeGuadalupe #Ensenada #bajacalifornia
Name of restaurant Lozhka Bistrot?
Wedding Bells in the Valle de Guadalupe
Estate Weddings and Events has a very comprehensive overview of the Valle de Guadalupe as an option for a destination wedding. And, though this blog post is wedding centric the information in it is applicable to all Valle visitors.
4 Day Wedding Weekend in Valle de Guadalupe
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Valle de Guadalupe - Restaurant List
After looking my page view stats it's obvious that the posts with the lists of wineries and hotels contain the most useful information.
So, here's a preliminary list of the Valle's restaurants (updated 5/28/16)
360 en Casa Mayoral
Adobe Guadalupe Foodtruck Facebook Menu Trip Advisor Review Yelp
Al Forno Butcheria Facebook
Allegro Burgers & Grill Facebook
Almanzara Gastrobar Facebook Menu Trip Advisor
Bodegas F. Rubio Review
Bodegas del Valle Facebook Trip Advisor
Borrego a la Vuelta y Vuelta @ Liceaga Winery (Sundays only) Facebook
Brasa del Valle (old name = Santa Brasa) Facebook
Campestre Los Naranjos @ Rancho Maria Teresa
Cocina de Dona Esthela Baja Explorers Trip Advisor Yelp
La Cabana de las Lomas Facebook Video Directions
La Cooperativa Facebook
Corona del Valle Facebook Trip Advisor
Corazon de Tierra Facebook Trip Advisor Yelp
Corazon del Valle de Guadalupe @ Don Tomás Viñedo Facebook
El Correcaminos Trip Advisor
La Esperanza Baja Med Facebook Review Review Yelp
Deckman's En El Mogor Facebook Yelp
Deskman's at Conchas de Piedra
La Casa Dona Lupe Menu
Lozhka Bistrot Menu
Finca Altozano Facebook Review Yelp
Fuego Restaurant & Lounge Facebook
El Gaucho Discussion
Hacienda Guadalupe Restaurante Trip Advisor
Las Gueritas Review
HaChe Facebook Menu
El Jardin Italiano @ Adobe Guadalupe Facebook
Laja Laja-360 Trip Advisor Yelp
La Malta del Valle Facebook
La Palapa @ La Casa Vieja
Latitud 32 Facebook Trip Advisor
Lola's Beer Garden Facebook
Malva Cocina de Baja California Facebook Review Review Report Menu
La Manzana Verde Info
Mezon Leonardo's Facebook
Mixtura Facebook
Mustafa's Restaurant Info.
El Pinar de 3 Mujeres Facebook Review
Las Potrancas Trip Advisor Video
Ochento's Pizza Facebook
Olivia El Asador del Porvenir Facebook
Origen @ Hotel Encuentro Trip Advisor
Quercus Facebook Menu
Restaurante Familia Samarin Report
Ruta 97
Sarmiento at Vinos Fuentes Trip Advisor
Sanvil Facebook
Silvestre Frommer's
Tahal Facebook
La Terrasse San Roman Facebook Trip Advisor
Traslomita Cocina de Baja California Facebook Report
Tre Galline Review
Troika Facebook
Valle 13 Food Court Facebook Trip Advisor
Viña de Frannes Facebook Menu
Obviously this list is incomplete, but I'll keep working on it.
Manzanilla Chef Benito Molina on Baja and the Evolution of Mexican Gastronomy - Eater National
Nice interview in Eater with Benito Molina chef/owner of Manzanilla in Ensenada and Silvestre the seasonal campestre in Valle de Guadalupe.
Trip Reports - Valle de Guadalupe - National Publications
The glories of the Valle de Guadalupe has been well chronicled in the national press.
A few examples:
The Conde Nast Traveler
The Guardian
New York Magazine
Wall Street Journal
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
A Plan for the First Timer - Valle de Guadalupe
The Valle can be a bit intimidating for first time visitors. There are lots of wineries and lots restaurants, so figuring out how to get started can be a bit daunting. In order to help a Valle noobie get a handle on the situation I put together an itinerary that showcases what is great about the Valle de Guadalupe.
This itinerary includes three easy to find wineries that are clustered close together just off Highway 3.
Stop 1 - Vinas de Garza
Heading east on Highway 3 turn right (south) off the highway onto a dirt road at approximately KM marker 87. There should be signs and you'll see the winery on a hill just south of the highway.
Garza produces excellent wines and their tasting room deck has a great view of the Valle
Vinas de Garza
Open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Hours: 11:00 - 4:30
Stop 2 - Sol y Barro
You'll see Sol y Barro as you drive up to Vinas de Garza. It is a very small family winery that produces only 1 wine (red blend). The owner/operator, Aime Desponds, is very interesting gentleman who also constructed all of the buildings on the property.
Sol y Barro
The winery's tasting room is usually open on the weekends with the time corresponding to the Vinas de Garza hours.
Phone: 011-52 (646) 155-3254
email: solybarro(at)gmail.com
Stop 3 - Tres Mujeres
Now just follow the signs to 3 Mujeres.
The tasting room is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays or at other times by appoinnment.
Tres Mujeres
Phone: 011-52 (656) 173-4536
El Pinar de 3 Mujeres
From early in the spring to the fall Ismene Venegas operates a terrific campestre (outdoor restaurant) on the grounds of 3 Mujeres. It's the perfect place to end your first afternoon in the Valle de Guadalupe.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
The Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Wine Country
I've spent a lot of time digging deep through Google search results for the Valle de Guadalupe and not finding much useful. It seems like more and more I'm finding the hidden web site gems on Twitter and Facebook. That certainly happened today when I stumbled upon The Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Wine Country
It appears they will soon be publishing a much needed guide for the region, and their blog should be a good source of information.
The Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Wine Country - Blog
The Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Wine Country - Facebook Page
Valle de Guadalupe Trip Report - Los Angeles Magazine
You can read it here - L.A. to Baja
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