2012 Baja Wine Festival Program

Article courtesy of Baja.ca

From the Latin word for wine, Vinum, and Demere meaning "to take" or "take away", the Vendimia is an event that takes place in all wine producing regions usually between July and October (in the Northern Hemisphere). During this time of harvest the grapes are picked from the vines and the process to turn them into wine begins. It's a time for celebration and wine tasting!

The two-centuries-long wine tradition of the region is the focus of this event. The Guadalupe Valley is just one of seven valleys between Ensenada and Tecate that are dedicated to the cultivation of grapes. The valleys produce 90% of all Mexican wines, or 1.2 millions cases of wine a year, of which 25% is exported abroad. The Guadalupe Valley, located 15 minutes inland from the Ensenada coast, has been the host of the biggest event in the region for the past 22 years. For over two weeks every August wine aficionados will have the opportunity to attend wine tastings, savor gourmet meals, attend workshops and concerts. Last year's activities included an opera concert in the vineyard at Villa Montefiori Winery with Italian dinner and wine tasting, a cheese party with artisan bread, house wine and live music at Viña de Liceaga Winery and a gourmet dinner prepared by renowned Chef Enrique Olvera, pairing with Vena Cava wines and performances by Zirk Ubu at La Villa de Valle Winery, just to name a few. If you are traveling from the US to attend this event, don't forget you are not usually allowed to bring back more than one liter of wine per person.

Here are some of the events that will take place during the 2012 Festival:

August 3rd

"Wine Show" (Muestra de Vino) marks the beginning of the Vendimia. Live music, regional food, wine tasting and cultural exhibits at the ex Hotel Riviera at 7:00pm (Civic and Cultural Center). Organized by the Provino Committee. For additional info contact: (646) 178-3038 (MX).

August 4th

1st "Visitas Enológicas" to various Vineyards in the region starting at 9:00am. This is a great way to get acquainted with the different local productions. Organized by the Provino Committee. For additional info contact: (646) 178-3038 (MX).

Cheese, Bread and Wine Festival at the L.A. Cetto Vineyard starting at 12:00pm. Live music, dancing, and many surprises.

Paulina Rubio's Concert at Santo Tomas Vineyard in Rancho San Gabriel in San Antonio de Las Minas starting at 4:00pm. Crushing of the grapes, food and music. Pre-sale tickets at Kinessia Travel Agency.

Gala Dinner at Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard from 6:00pm to 12:00am. The evening will start with a cocktail reception, followed by a gourmet dinner and an auction. Cost: $100 USD or $1,300 pesos. For additional info contact: (646) 155-2094 (MX)

Music and Wine in THE CLOUDS (Música y Vino en LAS NUBES) at Las Nubes Vineyard from 6:00pm to 12:00am. The evening includes a introduction of the facility and a guided tour of the vineyard, wine, music and dinner with Chef Javier Plascencia. Cost: $1300 pesos.

LA Cetto and Estero Beach Hotel and Resort. Dinner, wine and music at the Estero Beach Hotel starting at 7:00pm. For additional info contact: (646) 176-6225 (MX)

Outdoor Lunch in the "Wine Woods" (Bosque del Vino) with its 500 year old trees at Vina de la Liceaga from 1:30pm to 7:00pm. The $300 pesos event ticket includes live music, commemorative wine glass, two glasses of wine, cheese tasting. Regional food will be available for sale of at the event. This is not a kid-friendly event.

Twilight Concert (Concierto del Crepúsculo) at the Monte Xanic Vineyard at 6:00pm with the the participation of the Raven String Quartet, a group of talented women who have performed in some of the best European venues since 2007. Their music ranges from classical to contemporary arrangements. Cost: Platinum $150 (USD), Gold $125 (USD), Silver $100 (USD).

A Night at Casa de Piedra (Una Noche en Casa de Piedra) at 7:00pm at Casa de Piedra Vineyard located on the Carretera Tecate-Ensenada at km 93.5 in San Antonio de las Minas. A combination of wine tasting, music and buffet dinner. By invitation only. For additional info contact: (646) 156-52 67 (MX)

Wine Pairing Dinner with Faun and Minotaur from La Trinidad Winery (Cena Maridaje con Fauno y Minotauro de Vinícola La Trinidad) at Laja Restaurant at 8:00pm. Cost: $1,200 pesos.

Street Party: A Multidisciplinary Event (Organized by ICBC and CEARTE) at CEARTE in Ensenada starting at 5:00pm. The 5th Fiesta Callejera is an urban art festival, an evening dedicated to the young urban artists and to all those groups of people dedicated to unconventional art. All the branches of contemporary art will be exhibited at the CEARTE plaza: stilts, living statues, mimes, acrobats, contemporary circus acts, break-dancing, capoeira, percussions, performance, opera, graffiti, and painting on concrete. Additionally, the walls will be covered with different audiovisual productions while in a skating rink, the skaters will slide by the performing rock bands. This event is free.

Vinart Presents: Sensations: Cabaret, Wine and something more? An artistic-sensory experience that combines the appreciation for wines with bold neo-bajacalifornian cuisine, and an art and sound show that will create a festive atmosphere. A seven musician jazz band, poems,and storytelling are the ingredients that will create an incredible evening with cabaret, music, exceptional food and, of course, outstanding wine. Chef Marco Antonio Moreno. Starting at 6:30pm. For additional info contact: (646) 151-6976 (MX) or (646) 178-3038 (MX) or email vinart@prodigy.net.mx

Jazz en el Mogor at Cavas del Mogor Winery. A sunset Jazz concert with regional delicacies at 5:30pm. Cost: $675 pesos.

Verbena Popular at Bodegas de Santo Tomás at 2:00pm. This is a festival that will feature various artistic expressions, including music from different local groups, games, food tasting, house wines and wines from other local wineries. This event is free.

"Holy Day (Dia Sagrado) at Hacienda La Lomita from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Local food is served in the beautiful setting of La Lomita Vineyard with creations by chefs Mikel Alonso and Gerard Bellver (Viko Restaurant) and Jair Telles (Laja Restaurant and MeroToro). There will be an introduction of the 2010 special wine production by enologist Reynaldo Rodriguez and an art exhibit. Cost: $1,560 pesos.

Al Son de Vinisterra starts at 7:00pm at the Vinícola Vinisterra in San Antonio de las Minas. Food-wine pairing with La Guerrerense and delicacies from Chef Javier Plasencia (of famous Misión 19), and entertainment by one of the best voices in Mexico, Iraida Noriega presenting her last jazz-folk album "Caracolito". Cost: $1,100 pesos. Pre-sale tickets at Calle Sexta 984-3 Zona centro, Ensenada. For additional info contact: (646) 178-3350 (MX) or (646) 178-3310 (MX), or email perla.ponce@vinisterra.com

2nd "Visitas Enológicas" to various Vineyards in the region starting at 9:00am.

Verbena Popular at Bodegas de Santo Tomás at 2:00pm. This is a festival that will feature various artistic expressions, including music from different local groups, games, food tasting, house wines and wines from other local wineries. This event is free.

Dinner and live music with Hel Ramo Wine at 5:00pm a the "Jardín de Eventos" at Hotel Corona (Blvd. Costero #1442). Admission will include a wine reception with commemorative wine glass, official introduction of Hel winery, 7:00pm dinner, and live music. Wine by the glass and by the bottle will be available for sale. Cost: $450 pesos.

"Holy Day" (Dia Sagrado) at Hacienda La Lomita from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Local food is served in the beautiful surrounding of La Lomita vineyard with creations by chefs Mikel Alonso and Gerard Bellver (Restaurant Viko) and Jair Telles (Laja Restaurant and MeroToro). There will be a introduction of the 2010 special wine production by enologist Reynaldo Rodriguez and an art exhibit. Cost: $1,560 pesos.

En Armonía con Emevé 2012 at 5:00pm at Emevé Winery in el Porvenir. A unique opportunity to experience the Baja cuisine and flavors during this wine paring four course dinner. Entertainment by local band Jazz & Nova. Cost: $1,250 pesos or $100 (USD). For additional info contact: (664) 634-1080 (MX).

Vinalia Rustica Tres Valles and Viñedos Lafarga. At 4:00pm at Rancho Lafarga in San Antonio de las Minas with wine, food and rock and roll. Cost: $750 pesos

Paralelo on the Carretera Tecate-Ensenada at km 73.5 in the Guadalupe Valley.

Ingrediente Guadalupe with Moebius wine at Laja Restaurant starting at 3:00pm. Regional food prepared with organic Guadalupe Valley ingredients paired with Moebius wines. Cost: $820 pesos.

Italian Evening at Villa Montefiori at 6:00pm. Opera concert in the vineyard, with traditional Italian dinner and wine tasting. Cost: $1,400 pesos or $110 (USD).

Noche de Cofradía at the cruise ship terminal in Ensenada at 6:00pm. A wine-food pairing contest in which about 30 wineries and 30 restaurants will participate . There will be live music, "Remolcadores Dances", photographic documentation, national promotion of Baja's wine and cuisine, wine tasting for the public and food for the participants. The proceeds will benefit Ensenada's retirement home. Cost: $850 pesos.

Festin de Queso (Cheese Party) at Viña de Liceaga at 5:00pm. A national and international cheese tasting, paired with house wines. Includes a commemorative wine glass and two glasses of wine. Live music. Cost: $500 pesos.

"Fiesta en el Valle" by the Provino Committee at the Parque del Porvenir starting at 4:00pm, food and wine samples available. This event is free.

Wine pairing dinner and introduction of the 2009 harvest at Vinícola Viñas de Garza in Rancho Mogorcito at 6:00pm. Formal six course dinner with live music. Cost: $150 (USD) SOLD OUT

From the Farm to the Table (De la Huerta a la Mesa) with Tintos del Norte 32 wines at Rancho Plascencia starting at 7:00pm. Dine surrounded by vineyards to celebrate the riches of this land. Dinner will be prepared by famous Chef Javier Plascencia and other guest chefs from California, who will be cooking with local farm products. Cost: $1,000 pesos.

Noche Pagana at Hacienda la Lomita at 7:00pm. A feast to celebrate the harvest. Food by Ophelia and Saverio´s restaurants. Music and dancing all night. Cost: $870 pesos. For additional info contact: (646) 156-8459 (MX).

En la Escuelita on Av. Emiliano Zapata, manzana 9 S/N ejido el Porvenir. Introduction of wines and artisan products. Cost: $600 pesos. For additional info contact: (646) 156-5267 (MX).

Tango and Wine, Art and Passion at Vinícola Barón Balché, two nights with some of the best Tango dancing acts in the world. August 18th

3rd "Visitas Enológicas" to various Vineyards in the region starting at 9:00am.

Vinomia at Bodegas de Santo Tomás at 2:00pm. The perfect marriage of wine and food. Crushing of the grapes and live music.

Tango and Wine, Art and Passion at Vinícola Barón Balché, two nights with some of the best Tango dancing acts in the world.

Dinner and Concert on the old Wine Route at the Viñedos Aldo Cesar Palafox in the Ejido Uruapan with musical performance by the Orquesta de Cámara from Ensenada directed by Maestro Álvaro Díaz.

Romantic Sunset Concert at Chateau Camou (Concierto Atardecer Romántico en Chateau Camou). Romantic soiree with singer and entertainer Rocío Banquells to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Chateau Camou. House wines, commemorative glass and delicious hors d'oeuvres and appetizers. Cost: $1,500 pesos. For additional info contact Carmen Mendez: (646) 177-3303 (MX)

Box Internacional at the L.A. Cetto Vineyard at 4:00pm.

Vendimia en Domecq at Casa Pedro Domecq. Details awaiting confirmation.

Vena Cava Vendimia. At Hotel la La Villa del Valle at 7:00pm. Invited: ArcheDream for HUMANKIND, Chef Enrique Olvera from Pujol Restaurant in Mexico City, Chef Diego Hernández from Corazón de Tierra restaurant in the Guadalupe Valley. Option 1: Welcome cocktail with seashells, shellfish and Vena Cava wines followed by an allegoric representation by ArcheDream for HUMANKIND. Option 2: Welcome cocktail with seashells, shellfish and Vena Cava wines, allegoric representation by ArcheDream for HUMANKIND, followed by a gourmet dinner by chefs Enrique Olvera and Diego Hernández with Vena Caba wine pairing. Cost: Option 1- $1,200 pesos or $90 (USD) per person. Option 2: $2,350 pesos or $175 (USD) per person.

"Ramón García Osejo" Paella Contest at the Viña de Liceaga starting at 12:00pm. This event closes the Vendimia Festival. The winners of the Preconcurso de Paella will be cooking for the title. For additional information please contact (646)178-3038 (MX). The official date for this event has been announced. The 22nd Annual Grape Harvest Festival will take place August 3rd through August 19th, 2012. However, event dates and details are subject to sudden change and cancellation. Please confirm with the event organizer before booking your trip.

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