Wine tasting for Californians is all about Napa Valley. A new destination that has popped up on the oenophile’s radar is Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico.

I recently took a weekend trip down there to try out their wineries. Anyone who travels to Mexico knows the food offerings are never going to disappoint. I got nothing less.

Most wineries will offer a unique dining experience, too. We decided we would do a little proper wine tasting and pay a visit to some dining venues that have made a name for themselves on the internet.

The wineries

• Vinos Xecue – amazing view of the valley and fantastic Rosé
• Vena Cava – this place blew me away with its natural wine selection. I never knew there was more to wine I could love so much. Given the salt in the water, they’ve decided to take advantage of that and present a wine with no additives. I brought two wines home from here.

Found my new favorite wine: natural wine, which is just a little bit salty.

Welcome to Vena Cava, where you’ll find some of the best wine I tried while there.

The eateries

• Fauna — this might top my dining experience at Pujol; and as you know, Pujol is a magnificent experience. What set this tasting menu apart for me was the integration of seafood. If you go with a group larger than five, you automatically get to have the tasting menu. Any smaller, you can enjoy at your leisure.
• Troika — on the same property as Vena Cava, a great way to fill your belly after the winetasting experience. Grabbed some quick, delicious bites. We were recommended the grilled cabbage, and it did not disappoint! Quail is also very common there, so we had to try that; another gem!
  

  Troika has a fabulous view of the valley!

• Deckman’s — some of the best grilled meats! My friend and I enjoyed the tasting menu, and it was a great sampling. This was my first experience with bone marrow, and holy cow!

Super-creamy sashimi

Soft-shell crab

• Salvia Blanca — this was our go-to breakfast spot because it was right next to where we stayed. I found the most delicious conchas filled with cajeta (pan dulce, aka Mexican sweet bread, filled with caramelized goat’s milk). Being from Mexico City, I hadn’t had a concha like that; these are freshly baked each morning and make you forget about the delicious veggie omelet you just had.

Best conchas in Baja!

Most Unique Architecture

• Bloodlust Wine Bar — a great ambiance housed inside a giant head of garlic. Vampire lovers out there, this is the spot. We had enjoyed a full day of wine tasting the day prior, so as you can imagine we were tapped out on the wine front. I cannot wait to return and have a tasting of their menu.

Welcome to Bloodlust

Inside of Bloodlust

— Maria Angeles, account executive