This last April marked our first year in business as Scouted Home (YAY!!!) and we celebrated with a much needed vacation to Baja California's Valle de Guadalupe. Our first year in business came with some learning curves - neither of us have ever started a company before and we're still learning just how much it takes to run one! But a little over a year later and Valle's rustic wine country was the perfect place to raise a glass (or many) for the work we've put in!
Valle de Guadalupe is located only about 3-4 hours from Los Angeles and is booming as a top destination for foodies and wine lovers alike. Our four night stay at Hotel Boutique was complete with an on-site swimming pool, horse stables, restaurant, vegetable garden and animal farm. The property is centrally located to the Valle's most notable restaurants and vineyards, making it easy enough for us to get around (though we'd opt for a 4x4 next time). We did hire a driver one day when we wanted to hop around to several different wineries- winery hopping anyone?! This was a highlight of our trip and we highly recommend for anyone visiting the valley. The vineyards are far spread, and part of the adventure was getting to them! Bumpy dirt roads and little signage only added to the feeling of remote exclusivity.
The Valle's rustic setting, well-designed wineries and stand-out restaurants were breathtaking and inspiring. There's something perfectly comfortable and worn-in about the valley and everything in it. It was the perfect place to admire modern architecture paired with aged iron and wood elements, terracotta tones against bright white facades and colorful flowers against rustic, hillsides.
Besides wineries, our days were spent taking in the sprawling landscapes. Impromptu yoga sessions by the pool, riding bikes along the dirt roads and even jumping on the hotel's trampoline kept us "busy". And yes, wine or margaritas were involved in all of the above! Besides that though, the culinary experience alone is enough reason to visit the valley. You've never had Mexican food like this before! The farm-to-table cuisine is some of the best we've ever had. Ceviche and raw oysters were stand outs for us, as well as a 9- course meal at Corazon de Tierre, where we each experienced sweet breads and duck for the first time!
eat
Encuentro Guadelupe - the ceviche is amazing
Corazon de Tierra - farm to table meals with wine pairings, perfect for you foodies
Deckman's - delicious outdoor rustic dining with an outdoor kitchen, vineyard views, and incredible food
Finca Altozano - stunning views, yummy tacos and rosé
drink
Viña de Frannes - gorgeous architecture and design in addition to fantastic rosé (we went home with a bottle)
Château Camou - tranquil and beautiful with yummy wines
Monte Xanic - stunning unique architectural details and view
Vena Cava - probably our favorite rosé in Valle
sleep
Hotel Boutique - suites with floor to ceiling windows to take in the gardens and rustic scenery
Encuentro Guadelupe - elegant mini pod-like rooms nestled into the hills
La Villa de Valle - on the same property as Corazon de Tierra and Vena Cava, perfect setting for a romantic getaway
From the food and the wine to the landscape and the locals, we can't recommend this *magical* little place enough! This will definitely be a repeat getaway spot for us!