ENSENADA

VALLE DE GUADALUPE, MEXICO

Season 3, Episode 2

V is for Vino is going south of the border to Ensenada, Mexico! Never heard of Mexican wine, you say? Well, get ready. The area we’re heading to, called the Valle de Guadalupe, has been called the “Napa Valley of Mexico” and has been producing wine for hundreds of years. Ensenada is full of the spirit and passion the Mexican people are known for, and it permeates into every aspect of life; the food, the tenacity of the people, the culture, and the wine. Learn about this up-and-coming wine region on this episode of V is for Vino!

filmed October, 2020     |     runtime 46 minutes


WINES

from the Ensenada Episode

*wines can often be found at wine.com or Vivino.

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Vinícola Retorno - "TeO" Chenin Blanc - Valle de Guadalupe

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Vinícola Retorno - "Palabra" - Valle de Guadalupe

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Vinícola Retorno - "Decada" Nebbiolo - Valle de Guadalupe


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Santo Tomás - Mission - Valle De Guadalupe 

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Bruma - "Ocho" Rosé - Valle de Guadalupe

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Vena Cava - "Ambar" Chardonnay - Valle de Guadalupe


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Solar Fortún - Mourvèdre - Valle de Guadalupe

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Cavas Valmar - Cabernet Sauvignon - Valle du Guadalupe

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Lechuza Wines - Nebbiolo - Valle de Guadalupe

LOCATIONS

from the Ensenada/Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico Episode


VINCE'S TIPS

If its your first time driving into Mexico, it may be good to go with a tour guide! Both Josh and Mariana from our episode offer planning and tours of the region.
TAKE IN BAJA (JOSH)
TOURS BY MARIANA

My favorite place in the Valle de Guadalupe that wasn't pictured on the show? La Cocina de Doña Esthela. The Birria there is in the top 5 dishes I've EVER HAD. Get there early, especially on the weekends, this is a busy brunch spot! 

LA COCINA DE DOÑA ESTHELA
bar andaluz in ensenada

downtown ensenada

ENSENADA

Downtown Ensenada has a ton to do and see! Head to Plaza Santo Tomás for a bit coffee and pastries in the AM, before checking out central downtown.  As a port town, there's ton of great seafood at the restaurants. Ceviche is everywhere, but my favorite dish from this area is the aguachile, which is a spicy, semi-raw shrimp dish!
VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

BAR ANDALUZ

Another spot in downtown Ensenada, and the place that is rumored to have invented the margarita! This bar has tons of history in its walls, and the mural behind the bar is incredible!  

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
margarita at bar andaluz

wine tasting in valle de gudalupe in ensenada

VINÍCOLA RETORNO 

Adrián, the winemaker for Retorno, truly embodies the Mexican wine spirt of ingenuity and hard work. You'll pull in the driveway in his Valle de Guadalupe winery and may think you're in the wrong place; you'll walk through a little corridor into the winery/barrel room/tasting room. Then Adrián (or his partner Gerardo) will blow your mind, and you'll be reminded that wine is a product of people, not factories. 

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

WINERIES FEATURED

We featured 6 winemakers from the Valle de Guadalupe in our big finale dinner, all worth visiting!

SANTO TOMÁS
BRUMA
VENA CAVA
SOLAR FORTÚN
VINOS LECHUZA
CAVAS VALMAR
wine dinner in ensenada

ceviche at mercado negro in ensenada

MERCADO NEGRO

The ultimate seafood market in downtown Ensenada. Take a stroll through the market itself, before heading to one of the dozens of restaurants lining its perimeter for lunch.  

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

FAUNA

This is your splurge meal in the Valle de Guadalupe. Make sure to make reservations. Get the chef's tasting menu, sit back, and enjoy the ride. Don't miss the scallops in brown butter! 

VISIT THEIR WEBSITE
fauna in the valle de guadalupe

hotels in ensenada

HOTELS

We stayed at 3 hotels in Ensenada, each very different! Coral & Marina is in downtown Ensenada, while Encuentro Guadalupe and Cuatro Cuatros are in the Valle de Guadalupe itself.  Check them out and find the fit that's right for you!

ENCUENTRO GUADALUPE
CUATRO CUATROS
CORAL & MARINA HOTEL

BAR BURA

This is bar in the Valle de Guadalupe you see in the last scene. Part of the Cuatro Cuatros hotel property, you'll need park and take a shuttle to get to it. But the views are worth it! 

BAR BURA
bar bura in ensenada

RECIPES

from the Ensenada/Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico episode



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