Guadalupe Valley: Wine Route Tour with 3 Wineries & Lunch

Summary

Guadalupe Valley wine route with tastings, vineyard walks, and stories from local winemakers

You’ll taste wines straight from Guadalupe Valley’s oldest cellars, walk sunlit vineyards with a local guide, share stories over a gourmet lunch, and meet passionate winemakers along the way. Every moment feels personal—whether you’re sipping reds or listening to tales about Russian settlers—and you’ll leave with more than just memories (and maybe a souvenir in your pocket).

What’s the experience like?

I’d never been to Valle de Guadalupe before this wine route tour, so I was honestly just curious. Our guide, Marta, picked us up right at the hotel in Ensenada — she had this easy laugh and kept switching between Spanish and English depending on who she was talking to. The drive out was quiet at first (I hadn’t had coffee yet), but as we got closer to the valley, the air started smelling sort of herbal and dusty-sweet. There were rows of vines everywhere, some with leaves just starting to turn gold. I remember thinking it didn’t look like any part of Mexico I’d seen before.

The first stop was Baja California’s oldest winery — founded in 1888 — which sounded fancy but felt pretty relaxed inside. We walked through the cava (it’s cool and smells like wet stone), and someone from the staff let us peek at these rows of bottles stacked almost to the ceiling. I tried not to touch anything because I’m clumsy when I’m excited. We tasted a couple of reds; one was so dry it made me pause mid-sip (Marta noticed and grinned). She explained something about Russian settlers bringing their own winemaking traditions here ages ago — I didn’t catch every detail but it made me pay more attention after that.

Lunch was at this open-air restaurant overlooking more vineyards than my brain could count. The food was all local — grilled fish for me, plus bread that tasted faintly smoky. There were little dishes of olives and cheese that disappeared fast. At one point a winemaker sat down with us for a bit; he talked about the barrel room like it was his second home. Honestly, hearing him describe how they check each barrel by hand made me realize how much work goes into every glass (I’ll probably think about that next time I buy wine at home).

We wandered through another vineyard after lunch — sun on my face, shoes crunching on gravel paths. There were a few other people around but mostly it felt peaceful, just wind in the vines and birds somewhere off in the distance. By the last tasting I stopped trying to pick out every flavor and just enjoyed what was in front of me. On the drive back, Marta handed out little souvenirs; mine’s still tucked in my bag as a reminder of that day in Valle de Guadalupe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Guadalupe Valley wineries

• Pick up from hotel at 10:00 a.m.
• Travel to Valle de Guadalupe
• Walk among vineyards and take photos
• Talk with a winemaker
• Visit barrels and fermentation tanks
• Learn about Russian colony history
• Visit Baja California's oldest winery

Top questions

How many wineries are visited on this Guadalupe Valley wine route tour?

The tour includes visits to three wineries in Valle de Guadalupe.

Is hotel pickup included for the wine tour?

Yes, hotel or meeting point pickup and drop-off are included.

What is included during the day trip to Valle de Guadalupe?

The tour includes snacks, bottled water with ice cooler, guided visits at three wineries, a gourmet restaurant lunch, meeting an expert winemaker, and a free souvenir.

How long does the Guadalupe Valley wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Are children allowed on this wine route tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants and small children can use a pram or stroller.

Is there an age requirement for drinking wine?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years old.

Is this day trip suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels but comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Will we meet any local winemakers during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have a chance to meet an expert winemaker during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or meeting point pickup and drop-off, guided visits to three different wineries in Valle de Guadalupe (including Baja California’s oldest winery), snacks and bottled water on board with an ice cooler handy for hot days, time spent walking among vineyards with insights from an expert winemaker, entry into barrel rooms and fermentation areas where you can ask questions directly—plus a gourmet lunch at a local restaurant before heading back with a small souvenir as a keepsake.