Meet the Winemaker Dinners at Bracero

Photo credit: Fernando Gaxiola - Facebook

Traveling to the Valle is one of life's great pleasures, but it's also great when the Valle comes north of the border.

Last night we attended the Meet the Winemaker with Lechuza dinner at chef Javier Plascencia's San Diego restaurant, Bracero. Interesting people, delicious food and world class wine made for a spectacular event.  

You can view pictures here:  Meet the Winemaker with Lechuza gallery and here: Josue Castro's Winemaker Dinner Gallery

The next Meet the Winemaker dinner is on Tuesday, October 4 and will feature the wines and winemakers from Adobe Guadalupe.  Information here:  Adobe Guadalupe Vintage Dinner

And for additional information about Valle de Guadalupe events I highly recommend following Fernando Gaxiola's company, Baja Wine + Food on Facebook.  

Airbnb Listing: Suite La Piedra 5

1 BR - $200

Suite La Piedra 5 - Airbnb

The French Laundry Now Serves Lechuza's Wines

This news has been buzzing  around the Valle.  Tim Barnes has the details.

Boutique winery from Valle de Guadalupe makes history and earns place on wine list of "The Best Restaurant in the World"

Event: Happening en el Valle - Almazara de Rancho Olivares - Sept 10

Almazara de Rancho Olivares - Facebook

Shout Out: Jetsetter - Valle de Guadalupe

Encuentro • Cuatro Cuatros • La Escuelita • La Cocina de Doña Esthela

Vena Cava • Corazon de Tierra • Finca Altozano

The Best Weekend Trips from LA

Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams

Guess who who likes eating at Deckman's.

Our expeditionary force to the Valle de Guadalupe had 1 of the best meals ever @DeckmansMogor with @BajaFishingChef pic.twitter.com/dSGzskrHpI

— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) August 25, 2016

Event: Food Truck Fest - August 27 & 28

Finca Covelli is located on El Tigre opposite the Hilo Negro Winery. 

Mediterranean Food Truck Fest - Facebook

Concert: José Maria Napoleón - Sept. 24 at Bodegas del Valle

Boletos/Tickets

Bodegas del Valle - Facebook

Cool Instagram: JACKIE_VALLE_WINE - Viña de Liceaga

Goood morning #valledeguadalupe choose to enjoy life and it's beauty#mexico #winelife #vinomexicano #vino #viñedos #wineries #vineyards #life #moments #sunrise 🍷🇲🇽👌🏻🍇

A photo posted by Jackie Garrido (@jackie_valle_wine) on Aug 20, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

Valley Wine Life VIP Card

Valle Wine Life is now selling a  "VIP Member Card" that is currently valid for 2 for 1 wine tastings at participating wineries.  According to a Valle Wine Life representative,  restaurant and lodging discounts will be available soon.

Here is the current list of their partner wineries:  

Alximia, Bodegas F. Rubio, Castillo Ferrer, Cava el Laurel, Emeve, JC Bravo, Kruger, Nativo Vinicola, Quinta Monasterio, Rey de 3, Sol y Barro, Tres Valles, Vina de Frannes, Vina Emiliana, Vinos Pijoan

The price of the card is $35 ($42 with shipping).

Valle Wine Life VIP Member Card

Lodging Report: WINEormous - Adobe guadalupe

I was with the author of this piece, Noreen Kompanik, on her first visit to Valle de Guadalupe.  She liked the area so much that she returned the very next weekend and filed this report.

Adobe Guadalupe: Baja California's Wine Gem

New Lodging: Casa Urbina Wine Resort

I've been keeping an eye on the construction of this project located in the western end of the Valle for over a year.  They have very recently listed their rooms on Airbnb.

Casa Urbina Wine Resort (1BR - $182)

Javier Plascencia at the James Beard House

Baja cuisine will be showcased on September 30 in New York City where Javier Placencia will be the featured chef at the James Beard House.

The Elements of Baja Cuisine 

Doña Esthela Receives Her Trophy

Here's W. Scott Koenig's account of the presentation of Foodie Hub's "Tastiest Breakfast" award to Doña Esthela.

Trophy Journeys from London to Mexico

Event: Deckman's 4th Anniversary with Chef Roberto Solis - August 26

Darn!!!!  I'm hating that I'll miss this.

Guest chef = Roberto Solis - Nectar

$1200 MN

(646) 188-3960

Deckman's En El Mogor - Facebook

Restaurant Report: Expat in Baja - Finca Altozano

Photo credit: Zank You

I'm more than a little bit jealous I didn't think of this - dinner under the stars during the Perseid meteor shower.

Finca Altozano Restaurant

Winery Guide: Discover Baja Travel Club

Looking for suggestions for wineries in the Valle to visit?  This is a solid list. 

Peninsula Picks: 5 Boutique Wineries in Valle de Guadalupe

Event: Noche Mágica at Tre Galline Guadalupe - August 18

Noche Mágica - Facebook Event

Restaurant Reports: Miles Geek - La Cocina de Doña Esthela - Sabina Restaurante

Last week I was a member of a group that took a trip south where we made stops at two restaurants helmed by icons of the Baja Norte culinary scene, Doña Esthela and Doña Sabina Bandera.  

My new friend and travel companion Noreen Kompanik provides the details in her post on Miles Geek.

Two Incredible Chefs Taking the Baja Food Scene by Storm

Restaurant Report: SanDiegoRed.com - El Clavo

W. Scott Koenig provides complete coverage of the opening of Chef Ryan Steyn's new restaurant project on the grounds of Quinta Monasterio.

El Clavo Nails It in the Valle de Guadalupe

Travel Guide: Bloomberg - Valle de Guadalupe

Photo credit: Cintia Soto

Mexico Has Its Own Wine Country - And It's Amazing

Airbnb Listing: La Casita de Valentina

La Casita de Valentina  (2 BR - $103)

Hotels and Lodging - Valle de Guadalupe

Foodie Hub's "Tastiest Breakfast in the World" Trophy Presentation

On Tuesday I was part of a group of travel writers and bloggers who spent the day in Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada. One of the primary reasons for the trip was to present Doña Esthela with FoodieHub's trophy for the "Tastiest Breakfast in the World".

The trophy was actually awarded in 2015 at a ceremony in London and then went on a long and winding journey before W. Scott Koenig took possession of it a couple of weeks ago.

Scott and Fernando Gaxiola of Baja Wine and Food were finally able to present the trophy to Esthela on Tuesday with family and friends proudly gathered around her.

Elaine J Masters put together a cool video of our visit and the presentation ceremony.




You can find links with additional information here:  La Cocina de Doña Esthela

Fiestas de la Vendimia Starts Today!

Fiestas de la Vendimia, a series of events spanning 17 days in celebration of the grape harvest, begins tonight.

Here is the complete festival calendar:  Fiestas de la Vendimia 2016

I've highlighted many of the events here: Calendar of Events

You can view a segment one of the local San Diego TV stations did about Vendimia here:

Vendimia! The Harvest Festival is Ensenada's Valle de Guadalupe

Shout Out: New Worlder - La Villa del Valle

Kristin and Antonio Diaz de Sandi (Club Tengo Hambre) provide the details.

Sleep & Eat (& Drink): La Villa del Valle

Airbnb Listing: La Cima del Valle

La Cima del Valle - Airbnb (1BR $148)

Dates set for Guadalupe Valley Festival 2017

The second annual Guadalupe Valley Culinary and Music festival is scheduled for  June 30,  July 1   and July 2, 2017.

Here's their video filmed at this year's festival.