La Contra Wine Store

Julie Hassett of the Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Wine Country writes about discovering La Contra Vinos, a wine store Ensenada.  The owner of the store is Gloria D'Acosta (wife of Hugh D'Acosta) so you know it will have the Valle's best stuff.

Beautiful Wine Shop in Downtown Ensenada.... Plus, Hot Restaurant Recommendation

  

New Restaurant Alert: Tahal

Little bits of information have been slowly leaking out about this very interesting project.  

Here's what we now know:

Name:  Tahal
Location:  Baron Balche Winery
Chef:  Roberto Alcocer (Malva)
Opening:  July

Valle de Guadalupe Restaurant News: San Diego's Snake Oil Cocktail Co.

San Diego Magazine has an interview with of the Snake Oil Cocktail Company's Michael Esposito. Snake Oil will be working with Flor Franco on her Resguardo project at Hotel Encuentro.

Raising the Bar

Bill Esparza's 2014 Valle de Guadalupe Summer Dining Guide

Bill Esparza's summary of Valle's summer dining options.

2014 Summer Dining Guide to the Valle de Guadaulpe's Campestres, Stands, and Restaurants

Two Campestres to Open This Weekend

Valle de Guadalupe is famous for its seasonal outdoor restaurants known as campestres.  Two of the more popular ones will open this weekend.

1)  Deckman's En El Mogor

Drew Deckman's campestre opens for its third season on Saturday, June 14.

Deckman's En El Mogor - Facebook
Deckman's Reservations via emai
Life + Food - Deckman's En El Mogor

2)  Tre Galline

We were returning to San Diego from the Valle a couple weeks ago and ran into Paolo Paolini, the owner of Villa Montefiori at a rest stop on the toll road.  His Valle de Guadalupe winery that specializes in Italian varietals was threatened by the recent fires but survived with very minor damage thanks to the help of his neighbors.

Paolo also told us that his northern Italian inspired campestre Tre Galline would begin its second season this weekend.

Update:  Tre Galine opens today!

Villa Montefiori
Carla White - Tre Galline

Tour Alert: A Gringo in Mexico 6/22

W. Scott Koenig will be taking a group to Valle de Guadalupe on June 22.

The tour will include wine tasting stops at three wineries, Vintango, Baron Balche, and L.A. Cetto.  It also includes a late lunch at the Italian inspired restaurant on the Montefiori property, Tre Galline.

Details here:

Escape to Baja Wine Country Tour - Sunday June 22

W. Scott Koenig's blog:

A Gringo in Mexico

Vendemia Event: Celso Pina at Baron Balche

Baron Balche presents Celso Pina and Ronda de Bogata

Saturday, August 2

Doors at 5:00 PM  Show at 8:00 PM   

$850 MXN to $1150 MXN

Call (646) 155-2141 or (664) 622-5276

Some video