Fiestas de la Vendimia, 23rd Annual Wine Harvest Festival Kicks Off in Baja California

Fifty regional wineries to participate in the annual harvest celebration

The Baja California Secretary of Tourism and Provino announce the 23rd annual wine harvest festival, Fiestas de la Vendimia, with events across wine country from August 1-18. The annual celebration includes the famous paella cooking contest, wine tastings and tours, special dinners by Baja’s top chefs, and exquisite music, dance and art to accompany the delectable wines and fine food samplings. Vendimia is celebrated across Baja’s robust wine country with the majority of events in Valle de Guadalupe, and additional events in Ensenada, Tijuana and Mexicali.

Fiestas de la Vendimia 2013

Fiestas de la Vendimia 2013

This year’s public Vendimia events include:

Thursday, August 1

  • IX International Seminar of Viticulture at Hotel Coral and Marina, 8:30 a.m.

Seminars on wine production and vineyard management

Cost: Approx. $15 USD* ($200 MXN)

 

Friday, August 2

  • Inaugural Wine Sampling at the Riviera del Pacífico Social, Cultural and Civic Center, 7 p.m.

Join more than 40 regional wineries accompanied by distinct local restaurant food samplings

Cost: $37 USD per ticket  **SOLD OUT**

 

Saturday, August 3

  • Gala Dinner at Adobe Guadalupe winery, 6 p.m.

Reception and five-course dinner with guest chef Eduardo Garcia of Maximo Bistro in Mexico City

Cost: $150 USD per ticket

 

  • Wine and Music “In the Clouds” at Las Nubes winery, 6 p.m.

House wine and dinner by guest chef Javier Plascencia, accompanied by jazz and blues music

Cost: Approx. $100 USD* ($1,300 MXN)

 

  • “2 Cellos” Twilight Concert at Monte Xanic winery, 7 p.m.

Featuring the sounds of Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser

Cost: $115 USD per ticket

 

  • Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma” Live at Estero Beach Hotel and Resort, 5 p.m.

Seaside concert and wine presented by L.A.Cetto winery

Cost: $38-$136 USD per ticket

 

Sunday, August 4

  • Picnic at Liceaga winery, 1:30 p.m.

Traditional picnic in a vineyard setting with music by Grupo Chokolate

Cost: Approx. $26 USD* ($350 MXN)

 

Wednesday, August 7

  • Wine pairing dinner at Laja restaurant, 7 p.m.

Featuring special guest Chef Daniel Ovadia, live music and friends

Cost: $38 USD per ticket

 

Thursday, August 8

  • Baja California Culinary Expressions presentation at Hacienda Guadalupe, 7 p.m.

An afternoon with live music and food samplings unique to the region, wine by Melchum y D’Poncelis

Cost: $92 USD per ticket

 

Friday, August 9

  • ‘Día Sagrado’ celebrations at Hacienda La Lomita, 4:30 p.m.

Food pairing with chefs Mikel Alonso, Gerard Bellver and Jair Tellez with Singular 2011 wine presentation

Cost: $152 USD per ticket

 

  • The Sounds of Vinisterra at Vinisterra winery, 7 p.m.

Food pairing with Sano Hussong of Sanos Steakhouse and the spectacular Cuban music rhythms of Adonis Puentes

Cost: $99 USD per ticket

 

  • Jazz at Cavas del Mogor winery, 5:30 p.m.

Sunset jazz concert featuring regional delicacies 
Cost: $54 USD per ticket

 

Saturday, August 10

  • Wine-making visit hosted by the Provino committee at regional wineries, 9 a.m.

Get to know the distinct winemaking techniques across the region as Provino hosts bus tours and visits three wineries per day every Saturday of Vendimia with guided experts

Inquire for cost

 

  • ‘Día Sagrado’ celebrations at Hacienda La Lomita, 4:30 p.m.

Food pairing with chefs Mikel Alonso, Gerard Bellver and Jair Tellez with Singular 2011 wine presentation

Cost: $152 USD per ticket

 

  • In Harmony wine tasting at Emeve winery, 5 p.m.

Four-season dinner Baja-style paired with Emeve wine, featuring music by Blue sound Live and an art exposition

Cost: $105 USD per ticket

 

  • Rustic wines by Lafarga and Tres Valles wineries, 6 p.m.

Enjoy an afternoon of wines by Lafary and Tres Valles, as well as live rock and roll music

Cost: $57 USD per ticket

 

  • Sunset Pijoan wine tasting at Sarmiento restaurant

Enjoy the sunset by the beach while sampling six Pijoan wines and 24 various tapas by Chefs Guillermo Barreto, Tania Livier, Nicole Pederson and Angel Vazquez

Cost: $84 USD pert ticket

 

  • Santo Tomas wine sampling at Bodegas Santo Tomas, Time TBD

Featuring a wide range of food, crafts and musical repertoire

Cost: Free

 

Sunday, August 11

  • Gypsy Luck, Love and Wine at Liceaga winery, 6 p.m.

Featuring live music by Grupo Innuendo and dinner by Chef Cesar Dario Cruz of Nigori

Cost: $61 USD per ticket

 

Tuesday, August 13

  • Ensenada Wine Guild evening at Cruise Port Village, 6 p.m.

Featuring 34 wineries paired with 34 Ensenada, Tijuana, Mexicali and San Diego restaurants

Cost: $69 USD per ticket

 

Thursday, August 15

  • Fiesta en el Valle at Porvenir Park hosted by the Provino committee, 4 p.m.

Featuring a variety of wines, food vendors and local hand-crafted goods

Cost: Free

 

  • “30 Years of Developing Mexican Wine” at Torres Alegre y Familia winery, 6:30 p.m.

Featuring Moulin Rouge music and French-inspired cuisine paired with house wine

Cost: $114 USD per ticket

 

  • Wine pairing, tag and vintage presentation at Viñas de Garza winery, 6 p.m.

Featuring guest Chef Drew Deckman, local Chef Juan Antonio Hussong, and an acoustic music show by Decima Musa

Cost: $14 USD per ticket

 

  • “From the Orchard to your Table” wine pairing dinner at Finca Altozano restaurant, 7 p.m.

Featuring Chef Javier Plascencia and wines from North 32 and G Salinas

Cost: $137 USD per ticket

 

Friday, August 16

  • “Noche Pagana” at Hacienda La Lomita, 7 p.m.

Celebrate the end of the harvest with music, food and more

Cost: $73 USD per ticket

 

  • “30 Years of Valmar” at Cavas Valmar, 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Moulin Rouge music and French-inspired cuisine paired with house wine

Cost: $114 USD per ticket

 

  • Fiestas de la Vendimia in Mexicali and Cabaret hosted by Mexicali Wine Guild at Salon FSTSE, 7 p.m.

The true wine festival of Mexicali with a sampling of this year’s newest wines and a guided tour by members of the Mexicali Wine Guild, including live music and an entertaining atmosphere

Cost: $46 USD per ticket

 

Saturday, August 17

  • Wine-making visit hosted by the Provino committee at regional wineries, 9 a.m.

Get to know the distinct winemaking techniques across the region as Provino hosts bus tours and visits three wineries per day every Saturday of Vendimia with guided experts

Inquire for cost

 

  • Vena Cava winery Vendimia fiesta at Hotel la Villa del Valle,  6 p.m.

Cocktail and dinner by top Chefs Enrique Olvera, Guillermo Gonzalez Beristain and Diego Hernandez Baqueano

Cost: $175 USD per ticket

 

  • Romantic Sunset at Chateau Camou winery, 6 p.m.

Featuring live music by Carlos Cuevas and Macedonia and delicious appetizers

Cost: $126 USD per couple

 

  • Old Wine Route Dinner at Aldo Cesar Palafox winery, 5 p.m.

Enjoy an afternoon in the vineyards and pair fine wines by Aldo Cesar Palafox and MD Vinos wineries with delicious food featuring some of the region’s most unique ingredients

Cost: $120 USD per couple

 

  • Paella Contest with Ramon Garcia at Liceaga winery, 12 p.m.

Hosted by Provino, Vendimia will conclude with its most popular event that brings together more than 40 winemakers and 80 teams competing to make the best paella in a family-friendly competition accompanied with music, food and the best wines of Baja California

Cost: $38 USD per ticket  **SOLD OUT**

*USD prices subject to current exchange rate at purchase

“Our excellent culinary scene and wine region have played a large role in our state’s tourism growth in domestic markets,” said Baja California State Tourism Secretary Juan Tintos Funcke. “We’re expecting more than 55,000 visitors during the festivities, and look forward to welcoming more guests to experience the incredible wine, cuisine and culture that our wine region has to offer.”

Additional event listings and Vendimia ticket information is available online in Spanish at www.provinoac.org or www.fiestasdelavendimia.com.Tickets will be released for select events on the Provino website, or can be purchased by calling 646-178-3038.

Events are in high demand and hotels in Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe typically sell out weeks in advance. Interested visitors are encouraged to book accommodations and buy event tickets as early as possible. Travelers should also consider accommodations in Tecate and Rosarito Beach, located less than an hour’s drive away, and transportation providers running shuttles throughout the event.

Fiestas de la Vendimia originated in Spain to celebrate the annual Spanish wine harvest and the tradition was later brought to Mexico by the Ensenada Lions Club. In 1991, the Wine Guild of Baja California formalized the event and carried out the tradition every August. Provino has organized Vendimia since 2001 and provided different activities for the entire family, while continually supporting the regional wine industry in Baja California.

For more information about Baja California and its wines, visit www.discoverbajacalifornia.com.

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Susie Albin-Najera
Susie Albin-Najera is the creator and editor of The Mexico Report, an award winning travel blog showcasing news, deals and resources for the modern traveler. Najera is a writer, author, travel blogger, marketing and public relations specialist and producer. Najera serves on the host committee for Maestro Cares, founded by singer Marc Anthony and producer Henry Cardenas; and on the advisory board for Corazon de Vida, providing aid to children in Mexico. She is also the creator of 'The Real Heroes of Mexico' showcasing community heroes in Mexico and producer of Latino Thought Makers. Najera has been recognized by the Mexican Consulate and Mexico Tourism Board for fostering positive relations between countries and her dedication to showcasing Mexico as a premiere destination. She can be reached at info@themexicoreport.com

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