What’s Behind Your Glass? Follow the Wine Route in Baja California

For some, the name Baja is synonymous  with a new playground, but in the wine making industry it’s a road trip of more than 200 hundred years of history. From the first native settlers of the region--the Kiliwa and Kumiai-- to the Spanish missionaries, to the Russian immigrants, a glass of wine from Baja is the result of centuries of intertwined cultures. So if you were impressed by the scenery in the movie “Sideways”, you should hit the road to the vineyards of Baja California and get a taste of the “New Napa Valley”.

What a blessing! In the northern part of the state of Baja, California in Ensenada, the first Jesuits found an oasis, a climate with unique characteristics of elevation, soil, seasons, and temperature; a Mediterranean replica in America, the perfect place to produce wine for blessing and consumption. Although the grapes of vineyards originated from the Southeast of Europe and Asia, the Spaniards found several species of wild grapevines, also known as “cimarronas,” in the New World.  To these they grafted the European grapevines, giving birth to a new local variety. It was in 1904 that one hundred Caucasian Russian families arrived in the Guadalupe Valley to cultivate the land.

To discover the flavors, colors, aromas and history behind your glass, you should plan a trip exploring the Wine Route; the valleys of Calafia, Guadalupe, and San Antonio de las Minas in the heart of the Baja California Wine Country, the valleys of Santo Tomas and San Vicente Ferrer to the south, and the Valley De Las Palmas to the north. Known as “the new Napa Valley” because of its untapped potential as a great wine region, today the Valley of Guadalupe produces around 90 percent of all the wines in Mexico.

Take a journey into the complex and interesting world of Baja Californian wines, and get to know the different grapes that make up these excellent wines. Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes are cultivated primarily for making excellent white wines, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Carignan, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Zinfandel are used for making award-winning reds.

From May to October, the valley is a spectacle with its uniform rows of grapevines. You can visit the wineries year round; from tiny family wineries to large-scale winemakers; from the Mission Santo Tomas de Aquino, the first winery founded by the missionaries in 1791, to the renowned L.A. Cetto, to the Bibayoff, the only winery with Russian tradition. Currently, there are around 30 wine makers in this region. Among them are: Monte Xanic, L.A. Cetto, Santo Tomas, Chateau Camou, Casa de Piedra, Domecq, Casa Madero, Adobe Guadalupe, Baron Balche, Villa de Liceaga, Mogor-Badan, Vinicola Pedraza, Vinos Fuentes, La Casa de Doña Lupe and Valmar.
 
Most of the vineyards are 30 minutes away from Ensenada, and normally on a day tour you will visit about three to four wine-houses. There are daily tours on Fridays and Saturdays which typically include visits to the wine-houses and the vineyards; explanations of the harvest as well as the wine making process; a tour of the cellars and of course, tastings! Some tours include a visit to the Community Museum of Guadalupe Valley and the Museum of the Russian ex-colony.
 
You can also experience gourmet restaurants located alongside family eateries, and arts and crafts centers. Elegant B&Bs, campgrounds and RV parks give the visitor the option of staying in the heart of it all without staying far from the Ensenada resorts.

Since the 1990s, wine and tradition lovers have traveled to Guadalupe Valley, Ensenada, and other regional communities to participate in the annual Fiesta de la Vendimia (Harvest Celebrations). This year la Vendimia will be held from July 31st through August 17th. The event has become so popular that it is recommended to secure event tickets and book lodging in advance.

The Valle de Guadalupe has a rich, historic legacy. Today, the natives’ heritage is shown by the two Kumiai group communities living in the zone: San José de la Zorra and San Antonio Necua. You will learn about their traditions, costumes, craftsmanship and stories which have been passed down from one generation to the next.

So when enjoying a glass of merlot from the Valley of Guadalupe, the aroma and taste should transport you through time and the rich history of Mexico’s northern coast. And if you haven’t done so yet, it is about time to plan your trip to the Wine Route of Baja California.

http://www.discoverbajacalifornia.com/wine_country/wineries.ht
http://www.ecobajatours.com/
http://www.cucapah.com/spa/tours_vino.php
http://universobc.com/esp/universo_itinerarios.html
www.museoruso.com