Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Restaurant Report: The Republic of Rose - Fauna

Note: The lack of posts lately is due to fact that we've been traveling and I decided to disconnect from the internet for a bit.



I have not had the pleasure of dining at Bruma, but several people who live and/or work in the Valle have raved about what Chef Hussong's food and the experience of dining at Fauna.




Sunday, August 5, 2018

Travel Guide: Dot to Dot



Not exactly breaking new ground here, but there are a couple relatively new places mentioned.


Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Travel Guide: Orange County Register


A generic but accurate guide to the Valle.  

I should note there was one interesting tidbit in the article that I had not seen elsewhere.  Jim Ruland writes that 2017 was the first year Mexicans drank more wine from Mexico than wine imported from other countries.  Go Valle de Guadalupe!



Hotel Partana's New Web Site


Hotel Partana, located adjacent to Finca Altozano, has a new web site that should make booking a room a bit easier.


Sunday, July 29, 2018

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Concert: Luis Miguel @ Santo Tomas - Oct 20


Tickets/Boletos (On Sale July 23)

New Restaurant at Rondo del Valle

Rondo del Valle posted this on Instagram this week. 

I have no other details other than a year ago the people behind Orange County's Tempo Urban Kitchen were developing a project at Rondo.

Stay tuned.


Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Rumor: Chef Cosmo Goff to Helm Cava Maciel's Campestre


Here's an update/correction to the post below:

Via David (Valle Wine Life)

I wanted to correct the info from your post today. The chefs name is Cosmo Goss. He is a consultant for the new restaurant at Jorge Maciel’s winery which will be of an Argentinian theme. He will not be the day to day chef.

Cosmo and Michelin starred chef Dan Salls will be collaborating with Jorge Maciel on an upcoming multi purpose project that should be completed sometime in 2019. In addition, Cosmo is a partner with Valle Wine Life on our new retail product line that offers everything from country pickles, infused sea salts, olive oil, merlot honey and much more.

For those who would like to know Cosmo’s food, he will be collaborating with Jorge at the Provino event at Cava Maciel entitled Carne y Vino, Argentina en el Valle on August 14, 2018.

*************

I was told this tip by someone who has an excellent record of passing along good info, but since I haven't confirmed it I'm tagging this post as rumor..

Cava Maciel's campestre which is slated to open shortly will have a celebrated chef at the helm.  Cosmo Goff formerly of The Publican in Chicago will be bringing his talent to the Valle.


Monday, June 25, 2018

New Restaurant: Kopai at Vinos Pijoan


I was wrong (sorry about that).  The campestre operating at Vinos Pijoan this season is not Nomada (as I had previously posted) but rather it is Koipai Cocina.  

Chef Giberto Morales's cooking is inspired by the indigenous people of the Baja peninsula. The official opening is Saturday, June 30. 





Thursday, June 14, 2018

Event: Bodegas Cieli's Celebration Picnic


According to Bodegas Cieli's original announcement their Celebration Picnic was going to be a one day event.  No más. The festivities will now start on June 30 and end on July 8 (they will take the 2nd and 3rd off.)  Monitor BC's Facebook page for additional information.


Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Monday, June 11, 2018

Travel Guide: Travel Addicts


This is a solid guide and it looks like they may have brought a drone to the Valle as the post has a couple cool aerial shots.


Ouch! It took them 6 hours to cross back into the U.S. at San Ysidro. I'm going to give my SENTRI card a big hug.

Vendimia Event: Dinner at F Rubio - Aug 18


It's time to start highlighting some special events taking place in the Valle during this year's Fiestas de la Vendimia. 

I'll try to link to a bunch more events this week.




Saturday, June 9, 2018

Friday, June 8, 2018

Chip's Tips: First Stop - Last Stop

Lots of people who are thinking about going to the Valle for the first time ask me for tips to help them plan for their visit.  So, here's my first post of which there should be several that will highlight things we have learned on our many Valle visits.

We usually cross at San Ysidro and head to the toll road for the trip south.  Next, we exit the toll road at La Fonda (sometimes stopping at Poco Cielo to enjoy a snack and the view from their patio) and get on the free road which is a bit of a shortcut to Valle de Guadalupe.

Whether it's a one day trip or we're spending a long weekend in the Valle we usually have the same first and last stops.



First Stop: Mixtura/Relieve

Located on the western edge of the Valle, the winery Relieve and its restaurant Mixtura is our usual first stop. We like to time our arrival between 12:30 and 1:00 PM and order a glass of wine and some bites to eat (the ceviches, tiraditos, and grilled oysters are favorites).  The setting is lovely and it's a great  place to settle into a relaxed Valle state of mind.



Last Stop: Viñedos de la Reina

We like leaving Valle by heading north on HWY 3 towards Tecate.  (We then head west on HWY 2 which provides an easy access to the Otay SENTRI lanes for our passage back to the states). 

Since we're exiting the Valle by driving north, the new winery Viñedos de la Reina located just off HWY 3 a mile or so past Encuentro is an excellent last stop.  It's a beautiful venue, has a spectacular view and a perfect place to toast the Valle farewell. 


Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Nomada at Pijoan This Summer?


Like their name suggests Nomada does not have a permanent home.  Instead, they set up shop at a different winery each summer (last year it was Cava Maciel).  While I haven't confirmed this information, I have heard from a pretty good source that Vinos Pijoan will be Nomada's home this summer.



Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Event: 4th of July Family Picnic Show at Bodegas Cieli - June 30


Because I really like having a cold beer on Cieli's patio I'll keep my jokes about having a 4th of July picnic on June 30th to myself.


Monday, May 28, 2018

Lechuza's Spring Release Party 2018


One of my favorite events of the year, the Lechuza Spring Release Party, took place on Saturday, May 26.  The weather was great, the chefs (Drew Deckman, Dan Krohmer and Lula Martin del Campo) crushed it, and Lechuza's latest wine offerings are absolutely fantastic.

I would circle May 25 on your calendar next year, and follow the Lechuza Winery on Facebook for updates for this and other events.


Thursday, May 24, 2018

How Wine Is Growing In Popularity In Mexico - Forbes


On a per capita basis Mexicans do not drink much wine compared to people in the US or France.  However, that is starting to change.  This Forbes article makes note of that change with a couple recommendations for a couple wines produced by Monte Xanic.


Note: The article states that 90% of Mexica wines are produced in Baja.  Based upon more recent surveys, I believe the number is closer to 60%