Team C&J
Valle de Guadalupe is home to Mexico’s thriving wine community, and the food and wine scene here is on pace to rival that of its neighbor to the north, Napa Valley. We have been coming to Valle de Guadalupe since the early 2000s, and seeing how the restaurants and wineries have flourished under the guidance of talented chefs and winemakers has been incredible.
We’ve designed this guide to Valle de Guadalupe to provide you with a roadmap for spending the perfect long weekend in this must-visit wine destination. If you’re on the fence about visiting this up-and-coming wine region, consider this list of Valle de Guadalupe restaurants and wineries your sign to book your trip.
Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico’s most popular wine region, with some considering it the Napa Valley of Mexico. Located just a two-hour drive south of San Diego and a short jaunt from Ensenada’s bustling port, Valle de Guadalupe offers a unique blend of world-class wineries, farm-to-table cuisine, and a charming, small-town atmosphere.
El Cielo is one of our favorite hotels in Valle de Guadalupe and we highly recommend you check it out. This luxury Baja hotel is located in the heart of Valle de Guadalupe, and the service, amenities and rooms could not be better. It’s also worth noting that all of the resort’s 95 rooms have views of the valley, which make for some spectacular sunset viewing.
Need a few more reasons to stay here? El Cielo’s on-site restaurant Latitude 32 is an effortless way to wind down after a day of wine tasting at local wineries. The resort also has its own winery!
Curious to learn more? The full review of El Cielo Valle de Guadalupe is here.
Fuego Cocina del Valle is one of Valle de Guadalupe’s most celebrated restaurants. The restaurant, which is located in the “The Boutique Hotel & Spa” in Valle De Guadalupe, has a charming upscale-casual atmosphere that is fun, relaxing, and welcoming.
The menu at Fuego Cocina del Valle is heavily influenced by the seasonal produce available at the family farms and ranches near the restaurant, and fresh oysters from Baja, shrimp, and local ceviche are always on offer.
Take a look at our full review of Fuego Valle de Guadalupe for more about our experience. Spoiler alert: it was fantastic!
Pro Tip: Be sure to save room for dessert. The Corn Cake and Belgium Brownie are the perfect way to end your meal.
Looking for a Valle de Guadalupe restaurant with a view? Look no further than Fauna. Chef Castro Hussong has trained under some of the world’s best chefs and he brings all of that talent and more to the seasonal, “experimental” menu at Fauna.
The communal style dining experience at Fauna creates such a fun atmosphere, and when you add to that the daily changing menu and hyper local ingredients, you’ve got the makings of one of the best restaurants in Valle.
Take a look at our full review of Fauna restaurant in Valle de Guadalupe to discover what it’s like to dine here.
Pro Tip: Fauna is located at the Bruma Winery, so we suggest you do some wine tasting here during the day before heading to dinner in the evening.
While there are still a number of charming family-owned restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe, the number of world-class culinary gems keeps growing and growing. Take ‘Emat Restaurant, for example. The quality and execution of the food here matches, and in some cases, surpasses that of the Michelin star restaurants we’ve dined at in California.
And while the Michelin guide has not officially started reviewing these spots, once they do, ‘Emat is certain to be awarded a Michelin star.
The menu here is a mix of Mexican and Japanese influences, which means lots of local seafood and expertly prepared meats. ‘Emat serves a tasting menu experience, and when we dined, each dish was better than the last.
Pro Tip: Corkage is just $20 at ‘Emat. If you go wine tasting at the property’s winery, Hilo Negro, bring your favorite bottle to dinner.
Check out our complete review of ‘Emat Restaurant to learn more about the menu, atmosphere and tips for dining.
Craving a unique Valle de Guadalupe winery experience? Look no further than Casa Magoni. This family-run winery boasts a modern tasting room with an inviting patio, both dwarfed by a majestic 200-year-old oak. Sample their acclaimed wines (the Sauvignon Blanc and Nebbiolo are lovely), known for both affordability and deliciousness, under the dappled shade of the tree. Live music on weekends adds to the ambiance, making Casa Magoni a must-visit for any wine enthusiast exploring the valley. In a nutshell this wine tasting at this Valle de Guadalupe winery is an experience steeped in tranquility.
Our full review of Casa Magoni Winery is available here.
Customized wine tastings, outstanding views, and excellent wines: Monte Xanic Winery in Valle de Guadalupe is one of the best. Explore their hacienda-style tasting room, a testament to the region’s heritage, and savor award-winning wines that reflect the unique terroir of Valle de Guadalupe. Don’t miss the chance to linger on the lakefront patio, a serene spot to sip and relax.
Explore our review of Monte Xanic Winery here.
In Valle de Guadalupe, for a more intimate wine tasting experience, seek out Casta de Vinos. This boutique winery, known for its warm hospitality, and one-of-a-kind wine cave tasting experience. Despite its intriguing Cabernet Francs, Syrahs, and Mourvedre wines, Casta de Vinos remains a “if you know, you know” winery in Valle de Guadalupe. While the bigger wineries that surround Casta de Vinos fall into the tourist trap category that are always crowded, this winery maintains its calm and peaceful atmosphere. A true must-visit winery.
Explore the full review of Casta de Vinos Winery here.
How many wineries are in Valle de Guadalupe?
There are more than 150 wineries in Valle de Guadalupe. For comparison’s sake, Valle de Guadalupe is roughly two-thirds the size of Napa, which has over 400 wineries.
What kinds of grapes are grown in Valle de Guadalupe?
One of the coolest things about the wine region of Valle de Guadalupe is seer variety of grapes grown here. Wineries here cultivate everything from French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc to Spanish varieties like Palomino, and Italian grapes like Nebbiolo.
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