By Shandra Keesecker-Rivero
For three weeks in August, wine lovers flock to the rich vineyards of Baja California Norte to take part in the annual Vendimia celebrations. The festival, formalized in 1991, showcases wine, food, and culture and this year included more than 40 organized events against the backdrop of vineyards stretching across extensive valleys.
While the vineyards of northern Baja California require about an 8 hour trip from the shores of Puerto Peñasco, tucked into a corner of the Laos Mar Hotel here in town stands El Tapeo wine bar, which offers Baja California wines almost exclusively.
In mid-July, El Tapeo held an intimate wine tasting in what was the first in hopefully a series of such events. This week, El Tapeo is back at it again, offering wine tasting and tapas, showcasing the winery CAVAMACIEL, seating times on Wednesday, Aug. 28th and Thursday, Aug. 29th. (280 pesos/person Reservations needed: 638-380-5017).
During El Tapeo’s first wine tasting experience, Alex Macias of DUBACANO wines from Valle de San Vicente indulged us with a wine journey as we sampled their wide array of white, red, and rose offerings. Perhaps most surprising from that evening was their award winning Merlot Rosado – surprising in that it looked like a rosé and yet possessed berry and chocolate notes of a merlot. Macias informed us while most of the wine production in Baja California Norte takes place within the Valles of Guadalupe, San Antonio, and Calafia, 70% of the grape production can be found along the Antigua Ruta del Vino, and the Valle of San Vicente located about 100 kilometers south of Ensenada.
Some may recall in February, 2012, others from the Antigua Ruta del Vino made their way to Puerto Peñasco for a wine tasting held at Don Julio’s. With such offerings around town, it’s wonderful to have the rich vineyards of Baja California so nearby!
A celebrar el vino en Puerto Peñasco
Por SKR
Durante tres semanas de agosto, los aficionados del vino acuden a los ricos viñedos de Baja California Norte para participar en las celebraciones anuales de la Vendimia. El festival, formalizado en 1991, es una celebración de vino, comida y cultura, y este año contó con más de 40 eventos organizados.
Mientras para llegar a los viñedos del norte de Baja California se requiere aproximadamente 8 horas de viaje desde las costas de Puerto Peñasco, aquí en la ciudad, escondido en un rincón del Hotel Laos Mar se encuentra El Tapeo Wine Bar, el cual ofrece vinos de Baja California casi exclusivamente.
A mediados de julio, El Tapeo celebró una íntima cata de vinos, presentado por el vinícola DUBACANO del Valle de San Vicente. Esta semana El Tapeo vuelve a ofrecer una degustación de vinos y tapas, el miércoles, 28 de agosto y el jueves, 29 de agosto. Se recomienda hacer su reservación con tiempo (280 pesos / persona. Reservación necesaria: 638-380-5017).
