By Steve Dryden
Grape Vineyards in the Guadalupe Valley
The 2010 vintage is off and running with a large dose of rainfall soaking the soil and roots in vineyards across Valle de Guadalupe and other grape growing regions in Baja California, Mexico. So far we’ve received an above average level of moisture in a normally drought ridden region, thus bringing extra hope to growers and winemakers for this vintage. Most of the vines still remain in a dormant condition, but bud swelling is evident and it appears that an early bud-break may be upon us soon.
In addition, the winter weather in the valley (elevation avg. is 1,100 feet) has been mild and warmer than usual. Many vineyard managers and workers have already pruned their vines or are in the process of doing so. The only bad news is there are lots of weeds and wild grasses this year, but the surplus of water is a real blessing, making most wine industry personnel excited about 2010.
Highway construction in the valley continues to progress, but at times it seemed we went back in time about 100 years. This wet winter allowed locals and guests the opportunity to ford rivers, streams and large puddles of water as we toured the valley in search of wine, food and adventure. Now we know what it might have been like when the early settlers and the Russian Molokans hauled grain and goods to San Diego with horses and wagons. In 1925, it was a three day trip to downtown San Diego with teams of horses and wagons navigating several rivers between the valley, Tecate and Jamul. The good news is that the new road that traverses the wine country along Highway 3 should be completed by May 2010. It’s open now in some parts, but be ready for road hazards, mud, and dramatic bumps in the various (unmarked) surfaces of dirt and pavement.
The new expanded road has prompted a “mini-boom” with new building and business construction sprouting up along Highway 3. Despite the global economic disaster, the wine industry and related wine culture continues to evolve and grow in Baja California.
In fact, we had so much rain this year that new wineries are popping up everywhere.
One exciting new project is Hacienda La Lomita, with ten acres of Grenache, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. They are open on weekends and producing wine for tasting and purchase. For more information or reservations: (646) 151-6032 or www.haciendalalomita.com. Villas Montefiori vineyard and winery is another relatively newcomer that is already creating excellent wine. They are located just south of Bibayoff winery, and open with reservations at (646) 156-8020 or www.villamontefiori.com.mx
Hacienda Guadalupe hotel opened last year with twelve king-sized, valley and sunset view rooms overlooking the wine country in the central valley near Km 81.5 — just off of Highway 3. And thanks to the overwhelming hospitality of owners Daniel and Gabriela, this venue has become an instant success with locals and visitors to the wine country. During the off-season many families in the region rent the entire facility for weddings, birthday parties and reunions. Gabriela cooks up some fantastic gourmet meals for guests and friends who are fortunate enough to have discovered this wonderful hotel, with a tasting bar, lobby fireplace, pool and jacuzzi.
Their new restaurant, with a seating capacity of 150 guests, will open this spring, bringing gourmet food, concerts, and special events to the complex. Currently their “tent cafe” is putting out some great traditional Mexican dishes, often paired with hard-to-find local artisan wines. If hospitality and comfort are what you desire, you should pay them a visit and tour the facilities.
Our newest wine country promotion “The Grapevine,” on Varivision Cable TV Channel 8 of Ensenada, continues to evolve as we expose viewers to gourmet food and wineries in Baja California. The number of hosts has expanded to four, and we’ve purchased new technical equipment and technology to improve production and link us into global networks.
So far we’ve filmed at Roganto winery and El Rey Sol restaurant, L.A. Cetto winery and Hogaza bakery, the Sixth Annual San Diego Bay Wine and Food event, the UABC culinary school, Cafe Louisiana (during the Carnival parade) with Bibayoff’s award-winning Chenin Blanc blend, the Paso Robles wine event in San Diego, Vinisterra winery, and Liceaga winery.
And soon we’ll be bringing internet access to our programs, along with more interesting and educational shows to viewers, and more. With networking and creativity the series has already been shown and well received in Mexico, Canada, California, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, and Argentina. We’ll keep you updated, as soon you’ll be able to access our shows and detailed wine country information.
This year offers a great time to venture on down to the wine country of Baja California to discover more than 35 wineries hidden away in various locations throughout the region. The majority of the wineries are located in the Valle de Guadalupe, with others in Ensenada, Tecate, Ojos Negros, Valle de Santo Tomas, San Telmo, and San Vicente.
In addition, there will be numerous wine and food events beginning in April and continuing through September — just keep reading this column for details, dates, ticketing and information. In the meantime, Mexico’s wine country awaits your arrival with open arms, green fields, wild flowers, lots of water, great food and excellent wine.
Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in Valle de Guadalupe, in northwestern Baja California, where he guides individual and small group wine tours. He can be reached at sbdryden@hotmail.com. Visit his new blog at www.winefoodguide.com.
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