Ensenada wine route: get to know the 6 valleys and top wineries [road trip map included]

▪ Valle de Guadalupe wineries have become an elite destination in Baja California. With its close proximity to the US, many Americans spend the weekend in Mexico’s wine country.

▪ This article explains the wine regions in Baja California, specifically in the Ensenada area. The 6 wine valleys will also be explained, with suggested wineries per valley.

▪ A Baja California Map is also available below. Open it on Google maps and see the complete road trip route and Ensenada wineries route.

When wine comes to mind, we don’t really think of Mexico as it is not on the typical list of the best wines in the world. But when I lived in Mexico, I started to discover how great the wine culture in Mexico is. Many people don’t even know that Mexico has a wine country!

Here are some of my wine experiences in Valle de Guadalupe. You can also find individual stories in the blog for each of my visits.

Please note that these Valle de Guadalupe wineries are arranged in alphabetical order and not ranked according to quality.

You might also like:

• How to spend a weekend in Valle de Guadalupe
• El Cielo Winery chocolate and wine pairing
• Get to know all the wine regions of Mexico
• Road trip itinerary: from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas

🪅 Is Ensenada Mexico worth visiting?

ABSOLUTELY! Ensenada is well-known for its wines and it is the biggest wine region in Mexico. Visiting Ensenada from San Diego is popular with Americans as it is an easy 1-2 hours drive from the border of San Diego and Tijuana.

Apart from wine tastings, there are also many things to do in Ensenada. You’ll never run out of activities here and you can even plan your vacation from the US last minute.

“Baja has a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, with similarities to Napa Valley and the Southern Rhône, but with a profound maritime influence; most of its vineyards are within 15 miles of the Pacific Ocean.“

Nils Berstein, WineMag.com

🙋 Is it safe to travel to Valle de Guadalupe right now?

ABSOLUTELY! It is always safe to travel to Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada. Baja California is used to tourists and western visitors and the layout of the region is very fit for travelers.

Valle de Guadalupe is also filled with American expats who are permanently living here. With this, the culture and terrain of Valle de Guadalupe will be very familiar to you. No need to worry about safety!

💵 How much are the wine tastings in Valle de Guadalupe?

Wine tasting prices in Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada wineries start from $10 USD (for 3 glasses). Most of the Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada wineries in this post will have the same price range.

It will only differ on the number of glasses per tasting (usually $10, $15, and $25 USD range) or if you want to pair it with food (from $25 USD).

Think of the tasting prices in Ensenada and Baja California as similar to the prices in the US (Napa Valley) to have a better pricing point reference. Either way, all tastings in this post have prices so keep reading!

👗 What do you wear to a winery in Mexico?

Hats, dresses, boots – think classy and comfortable clothing. Most of the Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada wineries are visited by upper-class Mexicans and mind you, they do dress up!

It is also advisable to bring a jacket or a coat as it can get cold in this region. Make sure to check the weather before packing for your trip to Valle de Guadalupe!

💁🏼‍♂️ Do you tip at winery tastings?

Like the USA, Mexico is a tipping country. In fact, this is a culture that Mexico got from the states – you do need to tip at winery tastings in Ensenada. 10% is a good tip but if you like the sommelier or the guide, you can tip up to 20%.

US dollars are accepted in Baja California so you don’t need to exchange for Mexican pesos during your trip. Just simply bring dollars from back home and bring enough as the ATM machines in this area are limited.

💨 How far is Valle de Guadalupe from the border?

Valle de Guadalupe is about 1 hour from the border of Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego (California). The ‘1 hour’ I am referring to here is only when you get past the Tijuana border patrol.

It can take you a lot of hours to pass through the border especially if you do not have the essential border crossing passes between the Mexico and US border.

It is advisable to apply for a Fast Pass Lane before traveling to Mexico from the US. This way, you won’t spend long hours falling in line – this is quite a busy border!

📅 When is the best time to visit Ensenada wineries and vineyards?

The best time to visit Ensenada wineries and Valle de Guadalupe is during the vendimia season. Vendimia is a Spanish term for “harvest” and it’s quite big in Mexico. The vendimia season is in August.

During this time of the year, there will be extra activities that you won’t do in normal seasons like grapes stomping. There will also be parties and festivals in Valle de Guadalupe during this month but expect accommodation prices to be higher than usual.

🍇 Ensenada Wine Country

Ensenada is a municipality/city in the state of Baja California Sur. However, not all Ensenada wineries are in Ensenada. You still need to drive out of the city to go to the wineries.

Below are the 5 Ensenada wine countries with descriptions and exact locations. There is also a driving route provided for you if you are staying in Ensenada City.

Valle de Guadalupe

🚘 Distance from Ensenada: 1 hr 13 min [see route]
🚙 Distance from San Diego, CA: 1 hr 51 min [see route]

Valle de Guadalupe is the main wine region of Ensenada with over 70 vineyards and wineries. This is the closest Ensenada wine region to San Diego, California. Most wineries do not need reservations for tastings and you can simply walk in.

You can easily visit 4 wineries in Valle de Guadalupe within a day but please plan your route properly. Take note that most Valle de Guadalupe wineries close at 5:00 PM so you need to start your tours early.

Valle de Ojos Negros

🚘 Distance from Ensenada: 22 minutes [see route]
🚙 Distance from San Diego, CA: 2 hr 35 min [see route]

Valle de Ojos Negros is the closest wine region to Ensenada. The name Ojos Negros means “black eyes” in Spanish. This Ensenada wine region used to be called San Rafael but they named it Ojos Negros after the two swamps in the area that looked like black eyes.

Reservations are required to visit the wineries of Valle de Ojos Negros. This is a smaller-scale winery in Baja California so they only take reservations. All wineries in Ojos Negros close at 5:00 PM.

Valle de La Grulla

🚘 Distance from Ensenada: 2 hours [see route]
🚙 Distance from San Diego, CA: 3 hr 13 min [see route]

La Grulla is a lesser-known Ensenada wine country but it is drive-worthy. This is a destination that can be easily visited in a day and we have a full-day itinerary for La Grulla in this post (scroll down!).

Valle de La Grulla used to be called Valle de San Jorge. The name change is due to the cranes (grullas) that are always visible in the area. If you’re lucky, you will see them during the season on the scenic drive to La Grulla!

Valle de Santo Tomas

🚘 Distance from Ensenada: 2 hr 9 min [see route]
🚙 Distance from San Diego, CA: 3 hr 18 min [see route]

Valle de Santo Tomas is the original wine route of Baja California. Here, you will find the main attraction and the oldest vineyard in Baja called Bodegas de Santo Tomas.

Founded in 1888 during the glory days of the missions in Baja California, Santo Tomas Wineries has immense vineyards and numerous wine tastings to choose from. You can easily do a half-day tour at Valle de Santo Tomas since it’s one of the smallest wine regions in Ensenada.

Valle San Jacinto

🚘 Distance from Ensenada: 2 hr 30 min  [see route]
🚙 Distance from San Diego, CA: 3h 28 min [see route]

Valle San Jacinto is probably the smallest among these Enesanada wine regions. I personally knew it from El Cielo in Valle de Guadalupe because they also have a winery resort here (of the same name).

This is a great place if you want to experience one of the vendimias (harvest season) in Ensenada since fewer people know about it. Backed by the Cerro del Zacaton, the drive to Valle San Jacinto is a distinct picturesque Baja California.

Valle de San Vicente

🚘 Distance from Ensenada: 3 hours [see route]
🚙 Distance from San Diego, CA: 4 hr 4 min [see route]

The southernmost Ensenada wine region, Valle de San Vicente heavily requires reservations for wine tastings, and some of the new wineries here are not even open yet!

We have a few wineries in Valle de San Vicente in this list and we constantly update it to give you insider tips on what’s open and what’s not. Since this is a farther drive from San Diego, USA and Ensenada, it is advisable to stay the night in Valle de San Vicente to enjoy a full day of the tour without constantly driving around.

🗺️ Ensenada Wineries Map

This Ensenada wineries map will give you all the location of the wineries in Valle de Guadalupe, Santo Tomas, La Grulla, Ojos Negros, and San Vicente which are the major wine regions in Baja California.

🍷 Must-visit wineries in Valle de Guadalupe

#1: El Cielo Winery

📍 Carretera Guadalupe – El Tigre Parcela 118
☎️ +52 646 978 0011
📅 Open since: 2013
🍷 Annual production: 200,000
🥩 Restaurants on-site: Latitude 32 and Polaris

El Cielo is one of the biggest wineries in Valle de Guadalupe. Tourists who book their trips to VDG opt to stay in El Cielo for the experience.

Meaning, when you book a room at El Cielo, you don’t have to leave because they have their own wine-tasting tours, restaurants, and other attractions within the property. A room for two starts at $260 USD without the tastings/tours.

El Cielo Wine Tasting

El Cielo Winery is open on Sunday to Friday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. Below are the tasting packages you can avail:

• Vineyard tour on a cart + wine tasting (3 glasses): from $15 USD
• Vineyard tour on a golf cart + wine tasting (3 glasses): from $15 USD
• Gold medal wines tasting (best of El Cielo): from $40 USD
• Underground cellar tasting: from $25 USD
• Wine and chocolate pairing: from $100 USD

#2: Baron Balche

📍 Juanita Beltrán S/N
☎️  +52 646 688 1032
📅 Open since: 1997
🍷 Annual production: 540,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Tahal

Baron Balche opened in 1997 with the hopes of reviving hectares of vineyards owned by the Ríos family. The owner of Baron Balche, Juan Ríos started to produce wine without selling or distributing them and this is where the Baron Balche process began.

In 2001, Ríos launched his first 4 wines: Grenache, Double Blanc, Reserva Especial, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. Today, Baron Balche vineyard in Ensenada is popular with San Diego weekenders.

Inside Baron Balche, there is a restaurant called Tahal that is open daily from 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Baron Balche Wine Tasting

Baron Balche does vineyard tours from Saturdays to Sundays, from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. You can call to reserve a sport and below are the prices for the tours:

• Vineyard on a golf cart tour (without tasting): $10 USD
• Vineyard tour with tasting A (1 white, 1 rose, 1 red): $20 USD
• Vineyard tour with tasting B (2 whites, 2 reds): $23 USD
• Vineyard tour with tasting C (4 reds): $29 USD

#3: Casta

📍 El Porvenir 22830, Ensenada
☎️ +52 664 200 2357
📅 Open since: 2010
🍷 Annual production: 36,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Baja Terra En El Valle

This 2,400 sqm winery in Valle Guadalupe specializes in Grape Mourvedre, a grape that distinguishes their products and makes their wines distinct (and branded).

They are proud of their 6 best-selling wines in the market and some of them are gold medal winners of the Colloquium and have high points in the Peñín Guide.

Casta de Vinos Wine Tasting

Casta de Vinos is open on Mondays to Fridays from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Saturdays from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, and on Sundays from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Below are the wine-tasting packages at Casta de Vinos:

• Wine tour with 3 glasses of wine: $10 USD
• Wine tour with 4 glasses of wine: $12 USD
• Wine tour with 5 glasses of wine (VIP): $25 USD

#4: Cava Maciel

📍 Calle Sonora lote 2 manzana 7 Ejido
☎️ +52 646 161 8471
📅 Open since: 2015
🍷 Annual production: 38,400
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Siempre Viva

Jorge Maciel’s trip to Italy in 1993 inspired him to open Cava Maciel, one of the best wineries in Valle de Guadalupe. Jorge is super hands-on, passionate, and fun when it comes to leading his wine tours at Cava Maciel.

Together with his staff, they are always so very clear about explaining their wine processes and pairings. I feel like this Valle de Guadalupe winery is for beginners who have zero knowledge of wine.

Cava Maciel Wine Tasting

Cava Maciel is open daily from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. See tasting information below:

• Basic wine tasting: $10 USD
• Premium wine tasting: $15 USD
• Wine tasting with cheese: $25 USD

#5: Don Tomas Viñedo

📍Camino A San Marcos Parcela 192, El Porvenir
☎️ +52 646 155 2949
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Don Tomas Restaurant

For those who want to go on an all-inclusive Valle de Guadalupe winery tour, Don Tomas has a hotel, restaurant, cellar, wine tasting tours, and bike tours within their property.

A room for two people starts at $125 – $199 USD but it does not include tours or tasting but you’ll have a good breakfast at the Don Tomas restaurant.

Don Tomas Viñedo Wine Tasting

If you are not staying at Don Tomas, you can still avail yourself of the cellar tours. See details below:

• Basic tasting (4 varieties of young wines): $17 USD
• Premium tasting (4 premium reds): $20 USD

#6: Emeve

📍 Parcela 67, 22755 El Porvenir
☎️ +52 646 688 1012
📅 Open since: 2003
🍷 Annual production: 60,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

The name “Emeve” is from the owner’s initials, Mario Villareal in Spanish pronunciation of the letters M and V: eme is M and ve is V. This winery has been operating since 2006 and specializes in Cab Sauv, Malbec, Shiraz, and Chardonnay.

Emeve Wine Tasting

The tasting runs from 12:00 to 5:00 PM from Mondays to Thursdays. On weekends, they extend another hour and close at 6:00 PM. Emeve does not have a fixed wine-tasting package but you can always reserve or get information via Whatsapp.

#7: Casa Magoni

📍 Km83 carretera Tecate – El sauzal
☎️  +52 646 187 0483
📅 Open since: 2012
🍷 Annual production: 240,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

Casa Magoni takes pride in their Nebbiolos. In addition to that, they produce their own balsamic vinegar which is also available for tasting. A 4oz bottle of balsamic vinegar costs $50 USD and the 250ml bottle is $100 USD.

You can also order a cheese platter separately. They have 4 different platters on their menu namely Regional ($12 USD), Mediterranean ($14 USD), Goat Cheese + delicatessen ($15 USD), and Meat only ($17 USD). All these come with artisanal bread and regional olive oil.

Casa Magoni Wine Tasting

Casa Magoni is open from Monday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Saturdays, they are open from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Below are some information about wine tasting at Casa Magoni:

• 3 whites: $9 USD
• 1 white, 1 rose, 1 red: $10 USD
• 3 reds: $12 USD
• Mixed (7 glasses): $15 USD

#8: Montefiori (Vinos Paolini)

📍 Camino el Porvenir Parcela 26-1 S/N
☎️  +52 646 977 5503
📅 Open since: 1997
🍷 Annual production: 60,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

Montefiori is Italian-owned and has been enjoying living in Mexico since 1985. You can stay at Villa Montefiori and enjoy all their amenities – I really love their rooms and accommodations! A Master Suite for 2 costs $350 USD, Junior Suite, and Double Suite at $250 USD.

Montefiori Wine Tasting

• Premium tasting (Sangiovese, Rose, Shiraz Cabernet, Nebbiolo, and Selezionato): $18 USD
• Winemaker’s Selection (Sangiovese Grosso, Nero d’Avola, Nebbiolo, and Nerone): $25 USD

#9: Monte Xanic

📍 Francisco Zarco S/N
☎️ +52 646 155 2080
📅 Open since: 1988
🍷 Annual production: 840,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

I love visiting Monte Xanic because of their restaurant, Artio. It’s one of the best places to dine in Valle de Guadalupe which serves extraordinary plates. The restaurant is always full so make sure to secure a reservation.

Monte Xanic Wine Tasting

If you are not able to get a table reserved, you can opt for their wine-tasting packages. Below are the prices:

• Discover Monte Xanic Tasting (4 Valle de Ojos Negros and Valle de Guadalupe wines): $28 USD
• Classic Monte Xanic Tasting (4 Monte Xanic labels): $25 USD
• Limited Edition Tasting (4 premium wines): $38 USD

#10: Cavas del Mogor

📍 Km. 85.5, Ensenada
☎️ +52 646 245 0761
📅 Open since: 1987
🍷 Annual production: 24,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Deckmans En El Mogor

A small family winery founded by Henri Badan in the 1950s’, this family of winemakers heavily focuses on organic agriculture and taking care of the environment they grow their grapes. Cavas del Mogor has 3 main labels namely Mogor Badan (Bordeaux), Chasselas de Mogor (dry white), and Pirinero (Syrah-Grenache).

Cavas del Mogor Wine Tasting

Cavas del Mogor is open for wine-tasting activities on the weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you’re visiting El Mogor on a weekday, you can simply dine in the Baja-famous Deckmans restaurant.

Book your tasting at least 4 days in advance by calling the number provided above.

#11: Bruma Vinicola

📍 Carretera Avinicola La Cetto
☎️ +52 646 194 8239
🥩 Restaurants on-site: Fauna and Bruma Wine Garden

Bruma Vinicola is one of the biggest Ensenada restaurants. It has 2 accommodation options and 2 restaurants called Fauna and Bruma Wine Garden. Even if you are not going to have a tasting at the winery, these 2 restaurants are top-notch in Valle de Guadalupe so make sure to have one of your dinners here!

Bruma Vinicola Wine Tasting

The wine tasting at Bruma is available from Wednesday to Monday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This winery is closed on Tuesdays. A reservation is required for the Bruma wine tasting and they do not accept walk-ins. To reserve, call the number provided above.

🥩 Wineries in Valle de Guadalupe with restaurants

#12: Chateau Camou

📍 Domicilio Conocido S/N
☎️ +52 646 177 3303
📅 Open since: 1994
🍷 Annual production: 60,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Lechonis

Chateau Camou is the brainchild of the Favela family headed by Fernando Favela Lozoya and Sergio Heras (winemaker). This Ensenada winery focuses on Bordeaux so if this is your preferred vintage, don’t skip Chateau Camou!

This vineyard’s location is in a canyon called Cañada del Trigo (northwest of Valle de Guadalupe) so expect great views during your tasting! The restaurant, Lechonis has a great menu of tacos, sandwiches, and raw seafood.

#13: Corona del Valle

📍 Carretera Tecate-Ensenada KM 89 +100
☎️ +52 646 116 2440
📅 Open since: 2011
🍷 Annual production: 72,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Corona del Valle

Originally a real estate investment, Corona del Valle started producing wines in 2009 and eventually opened its winery in 2011. The restaurant at Corona del Valle highlights the best seafood cuisine of Baja California and is also a good venue for Ensenada winery weddings.

#14: Decantos Vinicola

📍 Rancho San Miguel Fraccion A, S/N
☎️ +52 646 688 1019
📅 Open since: 2011
🍷 Annual production: 180,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Restaurante Decantos

Decantos’ restaurant supports the local community of farmers and fishermen in Baja California and is their main source of the ingredients that they use in their kitchen. Seafood and steaks are the stars of their menu and they also serve Italian food.

#15: Bodegas F. Rubio

📍 Callejón de la Liebre Parcela 70
☎️ +52 646 156 8046
📅 Open since: 2006
🍷 Annual production: 32,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Parcela 70

F. Rubio started as the vacation home of the owners, Francisco and Sofia, who fell in love with the terrain of Baja California. They originally wanted a vineyard for personal use but through the years, they slowly built F. Rubio as one of the leading winemakers in Ensenada.

The wine tasting at Bodegas F. Rubio is often combined with the food from Parcela 70, one of the best restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe. A food and wine pairing package for 4 people starts for as low as $40 USD (3 courses, 3 glasses of wine).

#16: Viñas de La Erre

📍 Carretera Tecate-Ensenada 87.5
📅 Open since: 2009
🍷 Annual production: 15,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: Deli de La Erre

Viñas de La Erre is a small family-owned winery in Valle de Guadalupe and they only produce 15,000 bottles per year. This is a famed wedding venue in Valle de Guadalupe with gorgeous spaces outdoor spaces and tasting rooms dedicated to its events.

🛎️ Wineries in Valle de Guadalupe with hotels

#18: Clos de Tres Cantos

📍 Carretera Tecate-Ensenada km 89.5 s/n
☎️ +52 646 977 5551
📅 Open since: 2014
🍷 Annual production: 15,600
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

Clos de Tres Cantos has only 2 exclusive villas and is one of the best hotels in Valle de Guadalupe. Located in San Antonio de Las Minas, the accommodations at Clos de Tres Cantos are good for honeymoons and exclusive vacations for couples.

🍾 Ensenada Wineries: Valle de Ojos Negros

#19: Vinicola Ojos Negros

📍 Km. 40 Parcela 73 Z1P1 S/N
☎️ +52 646 178 3664
📅 Open since: 2015
🍷 Annual production: 60,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

Vinicola Ojos Negros is one of the oldest wineries in Ensenada owned by Ricardo Hussong and winemaker Lui Hussong. The wine tasting at Vinicola Ojos Negros is more elaborate, with a 6-course menu meal made from local ingredients and paired with their premium wines.

This is also one of the wineries in Ensenada that is heavily integrating local cheese in their tastings. A food and wine pairing at Ojos Negros starts at $150 USD and lasts for 4 hours.

🥂 Ensenada Wineries: Valle de La Grulla

#20: MD Vinos

📍 22795 Baja California
☎️ +52 646 116 6397
📅 Open since: 2006
🍷 Annual production: 60,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

MD stands for Manuel Delgado, the owner of this winery in Ensenada that works hand-in-hand with another winemaker family member, Eduardo Delgado. This winery started growing flowers and vegetables and in 2006, they started growing acres of grapes.

A wine tasting at MD Vinos requires a reservation (7 days in advance). MD Vino is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

🍹 Wineries in Ensenada: Valle de Santo Tomas

#21: Bodegas Santo Tomas

📍 Carretera Valle de Santo Tomas S/N
☎️ +52 646 127 1686
📅 Open since: 1888
🍷 Annual production: 1,440,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

Probably one of the biggest wine producers in Mexico, Santo Tomas produces about 1.4 million bottles a year. You can see their brands in many major wine shops and supermarkets in Mexico like La Comer and Europea.

Bodega Santo Tomas is also a popular winery wedding destination in Ensenada, with spaces and private rooms that can host up to 200 people.

🍸 Wineries in Ensenada: Valle de San Vicente

#22: Vinicola Regional de Ensenada

📍 Alvarado 432-11, Zona Centro
📅 Open since: 2002
🍷 Annual production: 216,,000
🥩 Restaurant on-site: N/A

The vineyard, Llano Colorado has a total of 922 acres and 440 of these acres are dedicated to the vineyards. The area of Llano Colorado has reddish soil and volcanic components which make Valle de San Vicente one of the best areas to grow grapes in the region.

✈️ Ready for your trip to Valle de Guadalupe? If you need more information about Valle de Guadalupe wineries and Ensenada Wineries, we’d be happy to update this post – just leave your questions in the comment box below or join our communities where we answer questions for FREE.