Urban Wine Tasting in Ensenada
Submitted by adambehar on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 05:56.
By: Steve Dryden
The wine country of Baja California is emerging with “world class” wines that can be sampled and explored by wine lovers right in downtown Ensenada. Here are a few tips to help you to find the bottled treasures of delight—and some savory treats, as well—that Mexico has to offer.
One of the best kept secrets in Ensenada is that Roganto Winery and Viñedos Malagon have a wine tasting bar inside a quaint shopping center called Adobe Plaza. It is located on the north end of the main tourist shopping street of Lopez Mateos and between Gastelum and Ruiz or #69 Gastelum, directly across from the municipal museum and currently open from 9 am to 6 p.m. In summer, the wine bar will remain open until midnight on the weekends. Depending on where you are in Ensenada, a taxi to the Adobe Plaza is usually a good deal…for instance, from the cruise ship port for about five dollars per group.
Just up the street from Adobe Plaza at #37 Av. Ruiz is the original Vinifera Wine Bar (rumor has it that a second will open soon). Wine is sold by the glass with fifteen selections available each month, and they sell over 200 wines in the bottle from the wineries and winemakers of Baja California Norte. Their kitchen features a small tapas menu with selections of local artisan cheeses, ham, olives, bread and olive oils. On Friday nights, wine enthusiasts are blessed with live jazz and other regional music presentations. Vinifera is open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight, except on Sundays and Mondays, when they close at 10 p.m.
Capricho’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, #138 Ruiz, is located kitty-corner to Hussong’s (the ‘Bar that Built a City’) original cantina, about one block east of Vinifera. This cozy and upscale destination features several local wines by the glass or bottle and offers the option of enjoying gourmet food in the same arena. In addition, they have created an outdoor grill called Charlie’s that produces gourmet hamburgers and premium steaks. It’s open daily from 1:30-10 p.m., and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Manzanilla is a popular bistro with local, regional, national and international food and wine lovers. Recently they’ve relocated to the harbor area of Ensenada near the Migration and Harbor Master offices directly across from the boat repair yards on the north side of the port. Their classic wooden wine bar offer three wines by the glass and bottles of premium regional wines that compliment their exceptional gourmet food. They are open Wednesdays through Saturdays, from lunch through dinner.
Bodega Santo Tomas and Cavas Valmar are urban wineries with public wine
tasting rooms. Both are located near the downtown area, but slightly away from
the main tourist area around the harbor. Taxi is the best way to get there, given
that they are located several blocks from the main tourist area. The historic Santo
Tomas winery at #666 Av. Miramar offers tasting from 10 am to 5 p.m., and wine
facility tours on the hour. They have a large selection of white and red wines, a
gourmet restaurant, and an art gallery.
Cavas Valmar winery, on Av. Riveroll # 1950 Esq. Calle Ambar, is known for their
Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Their wine tasting room
is open Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 5 p.m.
Next time you’re in the seaport City of Ensenada try exploring these wine tasting
options and discover the magic of Mexico’s rapidly evolving wine industry.
And while you’re at it, try matching the many culinary delights in the region with
these amazing wines. Hopefully, after some samples and research, you’ll
understand how Ensenada has become the Wine and Food capital of Mexico.
It was destined to happen!
Submitted by adambehar on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 05:56.
By: Steve Dryden
The wine country of Baja California is emerging with “world class” wines that can be sampled and explored by wine lovers right in downtown Ensenada. Here are a few tips to help you to find the bottled treasures of delight—and some savory treats, as well—that Mexico has to offer.
One of the best kept secrets in Ensenada is that Roganto Winery and Viñedos Malagon have a wine tasting bar inside a quaint shopping center called Adobe Plaza. It is located on the north end of the main tourist shopping street of Lopez Mateos and between Gastelum and Ruiz or #69 Gastelum, directly across from the municipal museum and currently open from 9 am to 6 p.m. In summer, the wine bar will remain open until midnight on the weekends. Depending on where you are in Ensenada, a taxi to the Adobe Plaza is usually a good deal…for instance, from the cruise ship port for about five dollars per group.
Just up the street from Adobe Plaza at #37 Av. Ruiz is the original Vinifera Wine Bar (rumor has it that a second will open soon). Wine is sold by the glass with fifteen selections available each month, and they sell over 200 wines in the bottle from the wineries and winemakers of Baja California Norte. Their kitchen features a small tapas menu with selections of local artisan cheeses, ham, olives, bread and olive oils. On Friday nights, wine enthusiasts are blessed with live jazz and other regional music presentations. Vinifera is open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight, except on Sundays and Mondays, when they close at 10 p.m.
Capricho’s Restaurant and Wine Bar, #138 Ruiz, is located kitty-corner to Hussong’s (the ‘Bar that Built a City’) original cantina, about one block east of Vinifera. This cozy and upscale destination features several local wines by the glass or bottle and offers the option of enjoying gourmet food in the same arena. In addition, they have created an outdoor grill called Charlie’s that produces gourmet hamburgers and premium steaks. It’s open daily from 1:30-10 p.m., and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Manzanilla is a popular bistro with local, regional, national and international food and wine lovers. Recently they’ve relocated to the harbor area of Ensenada near the Migration and Harbor Master offices directly across from the boat repair yards on the north side of the port. Their classic wooden wine bar offer three wines by the glass and bottles of premium regional wines that compliment their exceptional gourmet food. They are open Wednesdays through Saturdays, from lunch through dinner.
Bodega Santo Tomas and Cavas Valmar are urban wineries with public wine
tasting rooms. Both are located near the downtown area, but slightly away from
the main tourist area around the harbor. Taxi is the best way to get there, given
that they are located several blocks from the main tourist area. The historic Santo
Tomas winery at #666 Av. Miramar offers tasting from 10 am to 5 p.m., and wine
facility tours on the hour. They have a large selection of white and red wines, a
gourmet restaurant, and an art gallery.
Cavas Valmar winery, on Av. Riveroll # 1950 Esq. Calle Ambar, is known for their
Chenin Blanc, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Their wine tasting room
is open Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 5 p.m.
Next time you’re in the seaport City of Ensenada try exploring these wine tasting
options and discover the magic of Mexico’s rapidly evolving wine industry.
And while you’re at it, try matching the many culinary delights in the region with
these amazing wines. Hopefully, after some samples and research, you’ll
understand how Ensenada has become the Wine and Food capital of Mexico.
It was destined to happen!