Hola amigos, we are back in our favorite wine region to bring you the 15 best places in the Valle de Guadalupe. Nestled within Baja California’s rustic countryside, this enchanting region has emerged as a haven for wine lovers, foodies and adventurers alike. The best part is the Valle is an accessible road trip for anyone in the SoCal area. We want to highlight a few of our favorite places and where they shine. Some are better for wine flights and snacks and others for tasting menus, large groups or sunsets. As you make your way to the places on this list, we believe this roundup will give you a great grasp on where to wine, dine and stay in the Valle.
‘Nestled within Baja California’s rustic countryside, this enchanting region has emerged as a haven for wine lovers, foodies and adventurers alike. The best part is the Valle is an accessible road trip for anyone in the SoCal area.’
Planning Your Itinerary
So how do you plan your itinerary? While some wine tour companies will do all the planning for you, we like to be in control of our itineraries. Our favorite thing to do is set 4 reservations throughout the day starting between 11am-1pm and dinner ending around 9pm. We hand our driver the set schedule, including departure times to and from locations. We plan about 90 minutes at each of the first 3 place and then an early sunset dinner. Sometimes we will start with a lunch spot, head to 2 tastings and end with dinner. We feel out our groups and their requests and tailor each trip individually. The good news is most places have snacks at the very least and dietary restrictions can easily be met.
The Valle is 30 minutes from end to end, so we also plan the route for best flow, going in a general direction. Let’s get into the 15 best places in the Valle de Guadalupe and remember, if it’s mentioned in our guides, it’s great and worth your time! Please note that reservations always help and many places are not open 7 days a week. Be sure to plan ahead and always bring something warm for al fresco establishments and dining.
* The list below is in no particular ranking order.
Wine Tasting
1) Finca La Carrodilla
We are big fans of organic food but it can be hard to love organic wines in the same way. Finca La Carrodilla stands out with their commitment to sustainable winemaking practices and innovative approaches to viticulture. The good news is this organic wine rocks! Their impressive vineyard hosts immaculate walkable gardens, an adorable coffee shop (try the cookies!), wine tasting flights and our favorite Merlot in the area. The vibe is cozy and serene and perfect for a post-lunch or pre-dinner tasting.
2) Mogor Badan Winery
We conveniently fell in love with the Mogor Badan Winery while dining at Deckmans next door. This small family run operation brings passion and big flavors. The Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot continues to be a standout bottle for us. Earthy, balanced a bit oaky and the perfect pairing with our favorite vegetable, mushrooms.
3) Vinos Martlot
Who’s ready for a Tuscan teaser in the Valle de Guadalupe? I think Vinos Martlot has the best views in the Valle. Perched on a hillside, this is an idyllic location for sunsets, charcuterie and deep conversations. If you are on a wine tour this is the perfect midday hang for a few hours before heading to dinner. We love the vistas of rolling hills and their uber artistic wine bottles. Reminder, you are not in the European countryside!
4) Decantos Vinicola
As the Valle grows in popularity so does the need for reservations. We love Decantos Vinicola because it is huge and you can pop in with no rez. If you are having a more whimsical trip or you are ahead of schedule, get to this lively joint. We love their down-home beer garden seating, expansive views, live music, diverse selection of reds and the well curated gift store. Their food felt like a wildcard but we were pleasantly blown away by their fried oysters, pizzas and colorful salads. Their wine tastings are at your own pace and you casually stroll to the outdoor bar when you are ready for your next pour. Mexican chill and efficiency in action at Decantos Vinicola.
Lunch & Brunch
5) Olivea Farm to Table
The new IT spot we were lucky enough to lunch at on a sunny afternoon in January. Olivea Farm to Table is the restaurant inside the quaint Mya Hotel Boutique. Located right off the main road this would be a great place to take anyone that is not a fan of the bumpy dirt roads it takes to get to other Valle locations. The food was an expression of love~ colors and textures were at play in each bite. The vegetables could not have been crisper nor the wine selection more curated. Their cellar (that you can tour) inside the restaurant carries all of our favorite local bottles. Swoon, someone has good taste, 😉! A la carte and tasting menus available at Olivea Farm to Table.
6) Bruma Wine Garden
A kismet moment led us here when their sister restaurant Fauna was fully booked on a hot summer day. Bruma Wine Garden features a bounty of creative veg dishes, and for that we are hooked! Gorgeous fully outdoor dining awaits you with groovy tunes, curated spritzes, shade from billowing trees, vibey servers and a mirror wall for the gram. Don’t miss their wood fire pizzas, deep roasted veggies and clever spin on hummus. They are also dog lovers, so bring your cutie along!
7) Villa Torél
Perhaps you caught our in depth rundown of Villa Torél in our last Valle article. We can’t say enough good things about this gem. Bonus is that they are located at the front end of the Valle and we can sit down to lunch in 30 minutes from Casa Malaga! The seafood is fresh, flavors bright, decor warm and the expansive views will have you queuing up another chilled bottle. This is the perfect place to wow your friends and Villa Torél can easily accommodate larger groups.
8) Salvia Blanca Concina
We found Salvia Blanca Cocina inside Contemplación Hotel Boutique on a whim following homemade signs on dirt roads. We were craving yummy brunch on a late Monday morning which is not easy to find in the Valle de Guadalupe. * Pro-tip, if everything seems closed at the beginning of the week, look up hotel offerings as they have to keep their guests fed. I know this isn’t popular, but brunch isn’t my favorite meal. The food is usually heavy and not that veg friendly. However Salvia Blanca’s vegan omelette made with crispy chickpea flour ‘eggs’ has made me a believer. Sometimes you just need one token creative veg dish to feel seen and they nailed it! Side note, it is an understatement to call their 1 inch thick pancakes fluffy. They are more like an airy cake delight, 🎤 . Share one with me for dessert?
Dinner
9) Deckmans
This is the OG place in the Valle that helped start the buzz about Baja Med cuisine. We love Deckmans for their open air grilling, healthy options and also because they serve lunch and dinner 5 days a week. Michelin star chef Drew Deckman is celebrated for his commitment to excellence. From locally inspired cuisine and stunning outdoor ambiance to their dedication to sustainability and community engagement; this place is iconic. Deckmans is a repeat for life kind of restaurant and we love knowing we can get Mogor Badan wine with our meals.
10) Finco Altozano
So many lovely things to say about Finco Altozano. Aside from their incredible food, this place knows how to serve large groups. With a full restaurant in tow, they served our bday party of 20+ with ease and grace. They worked with us on an epic preset menu, coursed the food right, drinks were flowing and the staff danced around effortlessly. Chef Javier Placescia is a dynamic force with vision, passion and a gregarious spirit. We love their fresh bread, panzanela salad and fideua del huerto.
11) Animalón
On the same plot and by the same owners of Finca Altozano is fine dining Animalón. Choose from one of their tasting menus and then sit back and watch the show. The tables are sprinkled below a gorgeous 200-year oak tree with twinkling lanterns strewn about. This is the ultimate place to enjoy an artistic, romantic dinner and Baja Med cuisine turned all the way up. We cannot stop thinking about their lump crab dish and pasta served with a croissant cube for dipping. We are praying these items are not seasonal. This is a perfect place to make memories and celebrate meaningful occasions. Catch more Animalón details and pics in our Valle lunch and dinner article here.
12) Malva
It felt accidental to walk into the peaceful, hidden beauty of Malva. It was a quick Google search and a feeling more than a recommendation. We loved that they let us share a tasting menu, as one each can sometimes be too much. Chef Roberto Alcocer and his team delivered an unforgettable experience with their farm-to-table rustic approach. From the pristine plating to the layers of delicate flavors in each dish, this meal will keep you buzzing. We still talk about the ‘beet rose’ dish pictured below, just gorgeous.
Stay
13) Ojo Azul Resort
Continuing with our 15 best places in the Valle de Guadalupe, let’s talk about where to stay! Ojo Azul Resort is the full package, you almost don’t have to leave. The rooms have special touches like unique tile accents and creative brickwork. The pool was a solid 80 degrees and hot tub 100 degrees, perfection during the cooler months. Enjoy the seasonal menu at their restaurant, spa services, vineyard views and funky art around the property.
14) Entrevalle Hotel Boutique
Enjoy a calm, private stay at Entrevalle Hotel Boutique. The rooms are spacious and clean and the location is a little off the beaten path. The casitas have no shared walls, you will be in your own little oasis, each with a special view. Their hot tub service is killer. You book a time slot in advance and they make sure each tub does not get too crowded. If it is dark during your booking they will escort you with flashlights. We love that neighboring Vinos Xecue is walking distance as it is one of our favorite sunset spots.
15) Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort
No wine region would be complete without a wellness resort. Look no further than the Valle’s own Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort. Here you can experience IV infusions, biomagnetic therapy, massages, hyperbaric chamber, organic meals and wine therapy to name a few of their offerings. A tranquil place to rest, relax and reset while decadent meals and wine tastings are a stone throw away (detox to retox, 😉). It’s easy to see why they were nominated for Food & Travel’s best wellness experience in 2023.
Wine, Dine & Stay Complete
There you have it, wine, dine and stay complete! After you visit these places you will be confident to take your friends down and show them Mexico’s premiere wine region. As much as we love wine, we cannot get enough of the Valle’s food scene. We are 2 gals that hunt for the best eats in Mexico, whether that takes us to CDMX, Oaxaca or San Jose del Cabo. This region is on par with all the major foodie cities of Mexico and there is still much room for more expansion. The warmth of the people and unique landscapes aid in unforgettable memories. We hope this wrap-up of the 15 Best Places in the Valle de Guadalupe is a roadmap for your next few visits with epic friends.
‘We hope this wrap-up of the 15 Best Places in the Valle de Guadalupe is a roadmap for your next few visits with epic friends.’
As always, we love to hear from you! Let us know your favorite meal and what else you discover on your Valle adventure. Please reach out to us for more recs and information on professional drivers.
Buen provecho,
Rach
PS ~ For more incredible Mexico eats, check out our San Miguel de Allende restaurant guide here!
PSS ~ We welcome you to stay at our dual master condo with sweeping ocean views adjacent to the Valle. Stay on the coast and you will still be a quick 30 minutes to all the goodness in this article!
