Monday, June 30, 2008
Lodging for the Vendimia Festival in Mexico’s Wine Valley
“Vino-Tourism” by Steve Dryden
· Visit Baja California in August for its Annual Wine Festival
Christmas time comes early in the premier wine country of Baja California. So, you can forget about
all the snow and cold, we’ve got extremely warm weather, and we are bearing gifts in the form of “bottled treasures
of delight,” filled with high quality Mexican wine! Of course, we’ll throw in gourmet culinary wonders, sunsets
with jazz concerts, tango dancing, country picnics, mariachi music, BBQ’s, paella cooking contest, bullfights, gala
dinners, wine auctions, and much more during the first two weeks of August. Wine
and party lovers from around the globe make their way to Guadalupe Valley, Ensenada, and other regional communities for the
annual Fiesta de la Vendimia, to be held this year from July 31st thru August 17th.
The only limitation here in paradise always seems to be the availability of lodging during the event
season for those who were quick or slick enough to get event tickets. Furthermore, we don’t want anyone drinking and
driving, thus creating a hazard to themselves and others. Designated drivers are a wise option, but in addition to that, spending
the night in one of the area hotels, B&B’s, motels, campgrounds or parking lots is a nice option. Tickets for most
events sell out very fast and lodging is in high demand. Ensenada lodging is another option, but remember that the drive from
Valle de Guadalupe back into town is along a dark, unlit, unmarked, winding truck route with dangerous curves and other obstacles.
So, I researched the availability of lodging options still open for the Vendimia Festival season.
Almost every room (not all) in the valley is full on the weekends, but some weekdays are still available. Right now two lodging
options are best: Plaza Fatima Hotel, and Hacienda Guadalupe. Both of these nice hotels are new and “just barely”
completed in time for the festival. Both have excellent hospitality, reasonable rates, no hidden charges, and are located
in the heart of the wine country in Valle de Guadalupe, where most of the Vendimia events take place.
Plaza Fatima hotel is located just beyond the village of San Antonio de las Minas, near kilometer
marker Km.92 on the Ensenada-Tecate Highway 3. Because it is located about eight miles from the ocean, it is in one of the
cooler parts of the valley. Eight rooms are fully completed with everything new, functional and ready to go. Cozy, comfortable,
clean, convenient and user-friendly, this is one moderately priced hotel I can highly recommend. One benefit here is that
Plaza Fatima contains an awesome restaurant, Internet communication center, and gift shop.
Another important factor is that they understand business, meaning they answer phone calls, respond to e-mails, take
reservations, keep records, are accommodating and professional. And, the menu and service in Don Agustin Restaurante is excellent.
Hotel contact: [52] 646-192-4531 and e-mail at: dougorsue@gmail.com
Restaurante Don Agustin has gone through some evolution since it first opened in mid-2007, and it
has grown into a culinary destination for those lucky souls who have discovered it. The interior is spotlessly clean with
nice design and accommodating table settings. It features a menu with especially good pricing considering the quality, quantity
and freshness of the ingredients. In fact, many of the vegetables are organic and grown on sustainable farms, many of which
are located only minutes way from the kitchen. What I love the most is the warm hospitality, blended with affordable pricing
that comes along with the superb Mexican-style entrees. For example, the lunch and dinner options include your personal choice
of two side dishes to meet your palate desires from an amazing list of over sixteen side dishes. I’ve never experienced
that before, anywhere! Some of my favorite main entrees are steak ranchero beef tips simmered with Mexican sausage, nopales
(cactus) with beef, and their chocolate cake filled with cream cheese. They offer wine by the glass or bottle, and can accommodate
small and large groups with advance reservations. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 9 to 6 p.m. [52] 646-148-1777 or rafadas@hotmail.com.
Hacienda Guadalupe (the other lodging option) is located about eight miles towards Tecate from Hotel Plaza
Fatima on Highway 3. It is more upscale, with higher room prices, yet very affordable considering the outstanding ambiance,
quality and spectacular wine country views. It should be noted that all lodging in the region is priced higher (peak season)
during the Vendimia Festival due to high demand and a low supply of rooms. Hacienda Guadalupe is now fully completed and features
twelve deluxe rooms with king-size Serta mattresses, T-300 bedding, premium-boutique quilts, original artwork, custom-made
furnishings, jacuzzi/pool with waterfall, and fantastic views from each private balcony. According to owner Daniel Sanchez,
“we offer a deluxe hotel with upscale amenities, good food and unsurpassed hospitality. Our lobby, restaurant and wine
bar features an artisan designed chimney with open beam ceilings in an environment that is designed for the ultimate in relaxation.”
The restaurant (opening in August) will seat 160 guests and includes an outside terrace with magnificent valley and sunset
views. Dinner specials will feature regional and international culinary delights. Normal room rates are US$139 week days and
US$150 weekends, but check for availability and pricing for the Festival season. Call now for summer reservations at [52]
646-151-3273 Mexico, (714) 313-5138 US, or info@haciendaguadalupehotel.com or http://www.haciendaguadalupehotel.com/.
Two well-known, upscale and established B&B’s, Adobe Guadalupe Inn and Vineyards, and La
Villa de la Valle, both have limited rooms available (mostly weekdays) for the
Vendimia Festival season. They have web sites (Google search) and toll-free numbers when calling from the US. You can reach
Adobe Inn by calling locally at: [52] 646-155--2094. Furthermore, in the village of Francisco Zarco, near Monte Xanic winery,
Vinos Sueņos winery has some rustic cabins on site for rent at: [52] 646-119-5652 or 646-179-4763. Camping is available right
next to L.A. Cetto and Doņa Lupe wineries at San Antonio Necua – an amazing Native Peoples community. Call Horacio Moncada
at [52] 646-178-8780 for reservations, pricing and directions. Bibayoff Winery sometimes offers camping spots on their remote
and beautiful wine country ranch at: [52] 646-179-4589.
For those thinking about a wine country wedding, family reunion, special event or corporate function, you
might consider a wonderful venue called Jardin “Las Veredas.” This Beverly Hills-style property is located in
the village of San Antonio de las Minas, right next to Vinistera winery. The grounds are colorfully landscape with a twenty
year old “Garden of Eden” that is well established, full of natural beauty and romantic ambiance. The property
is well suited for any type of event and amenities include a covered area with 600 person capacity, parking for three hundred
cars, a deluxe gazebo for weddings and ceremonies, fountains, walkways and lush gardens. In addition, the facility is open
weekends and features a world class art collection and gallery, plus a gourmet coffee shop. Several concert events will be
presented this summer and fall to include: Ruta del Arte on August 2; “Nuestro Mundo, Vino” on August 7; Independencia
on September 13, 14, & 15; and Dia de los Muertos on November 1st & 2nd. Their
premium concert event will be on August 7, when Jardin “Las Veredas” teams up with Restaurante El Olivo to present
Shadan Guerrero in concert. For details contact: lasveredas@yahoo.com.mx or [52] 646-155-3239.
Enjoy the summer festival season and, if by chance you drink too much to drive but have lodging reservations
in the valley, you can call [52] 646-118-9801 (cell phone) and, if we are not too drunk or having too much fun ourselves,
we’ll drive you (limit 4 bodies) to your hotel if it is in Guadalupe Valley itself!
Anyway, good luck, move fast to secure lodging reservations and Vendimia Festival tickets. Be safe, be smart, be polite,
be happy, don’t worry – this is the secret code for having a fun and
safe outing in Mexico.
MexiData.info note: For a map to the Baja California wineries, go to Better Roads Offer Easy Access to Mexico’s Wine Country (MexiData.info, May 12, 2008)
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Steve Dryden, a MexiData.info guest columnist, writes about wine, food, travel, Native Peoples, and history. He lives in the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California, Mexico, where he guides private wine tours for individuals
and small groups.
