Ultimate Guide to Baja’s Vendemias

It's that time of year again: Baja California, Mexico's vendemias, when local winemakers begin to harvest their wines! Rumor has it that at this very moment, the folks at Lechuza Winery are finishing up the harvest of their Chardonnay grapes. And we can't wait to taste them. While the vendemias are a time that focus on hard work, they're also a time of great celebration. From Ensenada to Valle de Guadalupe and the six wine-producing valleys of Santo Tomás, Ojos Negros, Las Palmas, San Antonio de las Minas, San Vicente and Tanama, the harvest parties have begun. For the next couple of weeks (August 1-17), each day offers new festivities at the vineyards in Baja's bounds including gourmet pop up restaurants, seminars, galas, the annual paella contest, and of course, plenty of delicious wine. 

With campestre-season in full swing, Baja is already charming visitors with fresh food served on the most alluring of backdrops: the wineries! So whether you settle into Javier Plascencia's Finca Altozano, Roberto Alcocer's Malva, Benito Molina's original campestre-restaurant Silvestre, Deckman's en el Mogor, or Diego Hernandez Baquedano's Troika, these outdoor dining experiences are sure to win over your all of your senses.  But it's the wine that is Baja California's star attraction. Provino, the promotional arm of the region's winemaking body, has officially released the calendar of harvest fetes, and they're jam-packed with great wine, fresh, locally-sourced food, and the beautiful people of Baja.  

What are you waiting for?  Here's our picks for a perfect couple of weeks during Vendemias 2014! For a full list of events, click here.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1st

7 PM. Wine Tasting 2014.  Host: Provino A.C. Committee. Ensenada Civic and Cultural Center.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2nd

9 AM. Wine Tours at Regional Wineries. Host: Provino A.C. Committee. Various wineries.

6 PM. Gala Dinner 2014. Host: Adobe Guadalupe.

6 PM. Wine and Music. Host: Las Nubes Vineyard.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3rd

7 PM. A Night at Casa de Piedra. Host: Casa de Piedra Winery.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6th

7 PM. La Trinidad-Laja Wine Pairing Dinner. Hosts: La Trinidad Winery at Laja Restaurant.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7th

6 PM. An Evening at Colectivo. Hosts: Hosted by La Trinidad, Cava Aragón, D’ Pocelis and Vinsur wineries

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8th

5 PM. Jazz at El Mogor. Host: Cavas del Mogor, Mogor Ranch.

7 PM. Paralelo Only For You. Host: Paralelo Winery.

7 PM. Noche Elemental (Wine Pairing Dinner & Concert) Host: Alximia Winery 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9th

9 AM. Wine Tours at Regional Wineries. Host: Provino A.C. Committee. Various wineries.

1 PM. Santo Tomas Festival. Miramar Avenue 666, Ensenada. Host: Santo Tomás wineries

5 PM. 10 Years Alternative. At Lafarga Ranch, San Antonio de las Minas. Hosts: Pijoan, Vinos Shimul, Tres Valles and Lafarga wineries.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 10th

6 PM. Gypsy Night. Host: Liceaga Vineyard.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12th

6:30 PM. Italian Evening at Villa Montefiori. Host: Villa Montefiori winery.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13th

6 PM. Wine, Cigars, and Gastronomy. Host: Pijoan Vineyards with Colin Weeks and Javier Plascencia.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 14th

4 PM. Fiesta in the Valley at El Porvenir Park. Host: Provino A.C. Committee.

5:30 PM. Evolutionary Dinner. Corazón de Tierra restaurant. Host: Vena Cava Winery

6:30 PM. An Evening at Casa Torres Alegre. Host: Torres Alegre y Familia Winery.

6 PM. Gastronomy Pairings. Host: Viñas de Garza winery

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15th

7:30 PM. Hacienda La Lomita 5^th Anniversary. Host: Hacienda La Lomita Winery.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th

9 AM. Wine Tours at Regional Wineries. Host: Provino A.C. Committee. Various wineries.

2:30 PM. Not Your Mother’s Country. Host: Vena Cava Winery.

7 PM. From the Orchard and Vineyard to your Table. At Finca Altozano. Hosts: Norte 32, G. Salinas and Finca Altozano

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17th

12 PM. Paella Cook-off Contest w/Ramon Garcia Ocejo. Liceaga Winery. Host: Provino A.C. Committee

Not going to be in Baja anytime soon? That's okay. There's a whole festival built around great Baja wines in the States. Check out Baja Meets NYC for upcoming announcements and future events in cities around the U.S.

As they say on Twitter, #tomavinomexicano!