Wine Country in Mexico?

Dona Lupe is right around the corner as you continue out from LA Cetto and head west. She started the first woman-owned winery back in the 1960's. Her wines are all organic and the reds all have a deeply complex flavor. A tasting of five wines here costs five dollars. Not only can you purchase her wines, but check out the jams, jellies, honey made from vineyard flowers, olive oils, herbs, and bread made right on the premises. Outdoor seating is provided here as well. If you are hungry, don't miss out on the pizzas made with a thin, whole wheat crust and topped with organic ingredients grown locally. A pizza that will feed four costs around $16 and comes with a tangy sauce you can add if you like. I have been known to do a lot of my Christmas shopping here for friends who live across the border.

Drive through the valley and stop along the way. At the other end in San Antonio de las Minas is my third favorite winery, La Casa Vieja. They make smaller quantities of wine, but always seem to have some on hand to taste and to buy. One can purchase a tasting of five wines for only five dollars as well. There is a fine restaurant on the property under the palapa that serves some of the best hamburgers I have ever had. Only open on weekends in the winter, it is about to be open through the week. The best part is that their wines are not expensive, starting at six dollars a bottle. They keep costs down by sanitizing and reusing wine bottles. Lots of parking makes it a great venue for events, like the annual book fair for Baja writers held there last October. The event drew about six hundred visitors. It was a beautiful day to sit under the trees and sip wine, talking to friends down here in Baja.

Also in San Antonio de las Minas is an incredible restaurant called La Hacienda. Turn at the only stoplight in town and go five stop signs, then turn left. It is nestled amongst a nursery with linen table clothes and silver cutlery in shady areas for dining. They have wonderful food that starts at only six dollars like avocado stuffed with seafood, calamari covered with shrimp in a cream sauce and lighter fare like pasta with vegetables and artichokes. The high end is about fourteen dollars. This is a great oasis on a hot day. Or go to Ochento's down the road in the same village for wood fired pizza. La Hacienda is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday brunches are popular with the locals. Ochento's is open Thursday through Sunday from 1-10 pm.

I went with a friend and spent a total of about $20 for the day for myself. This included lunch at La Hacienda, tasting at two wineries, Bibayoff and Xecue. The cost of sampling Jo Ann's fine wines was complementary. So come and spend a day or two discovering a wine country with fine restaurants and places to stay like the Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards and Inn which has its own wines and horses to ride for your pleasure. It reminds me of California about forty years ago. Come and visit our wine country and you will be glad you did.

russnldy@aol.com

[p]Susan A Mahalick is part of ezine.com and bajatimes.com