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BAJA TRIP 2025: FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025 – MONDAY 17 MARCH 2025
Everybody is talking about Valle de Guadalupe, the creativity, quality of wines and restaurants increasingly surprise those who visit. The tourism industry in the area is growing rapidly while its people maintain a very personalized and warm hospitality. Have you heard the authentic “voice” of the valley from its winemakers, viticulturists, chefs, and artists? Here, you will interact with those voices, make new contacts and new friends. Without a doubt, each visit leaves a new corner to discover, better and more wonderful than the previous one.
!AHA, BAJA! Join us for a 4-day and 3-night journey and experience the unique Mexican region of Valle de Guadalupe, discover the wine, cuisine, art, and architecture while listening to the voices of the valley. The Valle de Guadalupe region represents an estimated 70% of wines made in Mexico. This region in northern Baja peninsula has the soil, the elevation and the microclimate for a wine region to thrive, with over 150 wineries and counting, it is a must visit spot!
Co Host Stacie Hunt
Stacie is a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier /North American Sommelier Association / AIS / WSA (nasommelier.com) and Co-founder of SPLASH Productions (www.splashpros.com), producers of Wine, Cuisine & Art exhibitions and video productions/documentaries, television/digital publicity and marketing for wineries and regions. She is contributor to "Good Food" on KCRW-FM, Los Angeles' NPR flagship station and the Sommelier Journalist writing the wine column for the award-winning online magazine, MY LA Lifestyle (www.mylalifestyle.com). She is Vice President of the Board of the National Association of Wine Retailers (www.nawr.org) working to “free the grapes” via direct shipping from wineries to retailers and consumers nationwide. For Du Vin Wine & Spirits in West Hollywood she is the marketer specializing in the wines of Italy and Latin America. Her most passionate areas of work are as a spokesperson, international wine judge, educator, journalist and Course Co-Creator (AWS – American Wine Specialist and the Olive Oil Specialist course) with North American Sommelier Association (www.nasommelier.com). In this capacity Stacie is a cheerleader and able to communicate, educate and encourage students to develop and continue their knowledge in wine and food. An equal passion is functioning as a judge for wine competitions in the US, Argentina and Mexico.
PRICING:
Last 4 spots
$6,400 Per Couple [All Inclusive]
$3,950 Per Single Traveller [All Inclusive]
After January 1st; Based on Room Avails:
$6,780 Per Couple [All Inclusive]
$4,200 Per Single Traveller [Al Inclusive]
ITINERARY
FRIDAY, DAY 1 - Friday March 14th, 2024
📍This trip begins at approximately 2:00 pm on Friday, March 14th at the pick up point, north of the border near San Diego. Transfer SD - Valle de Guadalupe (Location TBD)
🚍We will transfer across the border in a road appropriate vehicle (Baja roads are dirt roads and not typically friendly to large buses). Upon arrival at Valle de Guadalupe, you’ll be welcomed with a cocktail/wine reception, followed by a tasting and “family-style” dinner at Corona del Valle winery with a nice conversation with the winemaker/proprietor.
🏨Overnight accommodations: Secured by not disclosed until event is sold - possible upgrades will be made available for an additional cost.
SATURDAY, DAY 2
☕️Breakfast at legendary “La Cocina de Doña Esthela” recognized by the “Michelin guide 2024”
🍷Private Wine Tasting with Gerard Zanzonico, proprietor/winemaker of Vinos Zanzonico. Gerard left the plush comforts of being a famed and celebrated 100 pt winemaker at Del Dotto Vineyards and Winery in Napa Valley to the rustic environment of Valle de Guadalupe where he has begun anew with Vinos Zanzonico.
🍝Family-style Lunch and tasting experience at winery SierraVita winery & their restaurant, Once Pueblos with a walking tour in the vineyard and tasting with the winemaker/proprietor. SierraVita with an ethos of being fully sustainable, organic, with a unique fermentation methodology.
🍷Private Wine Tasting with a winemaker and dinner at Finca Altozano, the first outpost in the valley of famed Michelin starred Chef Javier Plascencia.
🏨Accommodation: Secured by not disclosed until event is sold - possible upgrades will be made available for an additional cost.
SUNDAY, DAY 3
☕️Breakfast at Secured by not disclosed until event is sold - possible upgrades will be made available for an additional cost.
🍷Private Tasting at Casa Magoni. Camilo Magoni emigrated to Valle de Guadalupe over 50 years ago as a young winemaker from Italy. After spending 46 years with L.A. Cetto Winery, he began his own enterprise. Camilo’s mission is bringing the unique grape varieties from Italy, Portugal and Spain into the valley and creating wines that express their original lineage, and from the same grapes, wines that express the unique sense of place of Valle de Guadalupe. Additionally, he has experimental vineyards within several regions of Baja to develop water sustainability. His other passion is creating sanctuary vineyards for grape varieties that are in danger of extinction.
🍽️A relaxed lunch at Troika, on the property of Vena Cava Winery, and Private Wine Tasting with proprietor and winemaker Phil Gregory and/or assistant winemaker/Sommelier. Phil and his wife Eileen have established a unique architectural wonder with their winery made from discarded boats, designed by famed architect, Alejandro D’Acosta.
🍷Private Wine Tasting with Aimé Desponds, winemaker at Sol y Barro. Born and raised in Switzerland, Aimé emigrated to the valley to create a winery solely built of local adobe. Aimé is a former chef, engineer, and now architect, artist and winemaker.
🍝Dinner and wine pairing at Fauna Restaurant - recognized as one of “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants”
🏨Accommodation: Secured by not disclosed until event is sold - possible upgrades will be made available for an additional cost.
MONDAY, DAY 4
☕️Enjoy a traditional Puerto Nuevo breakfast
🎨Visit and Tour of experiential gallery, Galeria La Caja, Tijuana with proprietor, Arturo Rodriguez
🚍This trip concludes, we transfer Valle de Guadalupe to San Diego
TRIP INCLUDES:
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Roundtrip Group Transfer to/from San Diego area pick-up – Valle de Guadalupe
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Private coach group transportation for the duration of this trip
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Sparkling mineral water and still water available on private coach
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Private tastings led by Stacie Hunt, Certified Silver Pin Sommelier, AIS, WSA
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Three-night accommodation at Secured by not disclosed until event is sold - possiible upgrades will be made available for an additional cost.
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Daily breakfast
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Admission entrance fee and tour of experiential art gallery. NOTE: We may have a lunch at at the gallery – working on that experience (cost will need to be included in the cost of the trip) Yes, of course – it’s a maybe.
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Six Private Wine Tasting Experiences
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Two lunches
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Three Dinners
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Vineyard visits
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Pre-selected wines included with meals?? Wines will be included where there is a winemaker guest and we are pairing. Otherwise, we have found guests like to either purchase from the wine list on their own and/or bring bottles that they’ve purchased at the different tastings.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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Gratuity for drivers, guides, greatly appreciated but not mandatory
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Transfers to/from tour guide designated meeting point
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Travel Insurance or insurance of any kind; We highly recommend obtaining travel insurance
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Please bring all medications, personal requirements. We cannot provide for prescription medications to be filled.
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Incidentals such as but not limited to drinks, purchases of wines, incidentals, hotel mini bar, portage, etc.
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Items not listed in the Trip Itinerary Includes section
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At your leisure moments are at your own sole discretion and cost, and are not the responsibility of the tour
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Valid travel documents required: Current passport
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“Wine with meals”, how it works: ordering wines are additional personal expense when not included with meals; Total cost of wines to be split only between participants sharing the wines. Guests on the trip who do not consume the additional wines are not obligated to pay
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Any other extra not listed in the Trip Includes section
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Parking: parking at your own risk and sole discretion, we will not be held responsible for any loss, theft, damage to your vehicle, personal belongings, nor to your persons
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Learnaboutwine.com and Splash Productions, LLC are not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property, illness or injury during the course of the trip.
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California laws and protections are not available in Mexico - we travel at your own risk.
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California residents are allowed to bring 1 bottle of wine per person across the border; unlimited amounts of olive oil, other condiments are allowed to cross. For wines purchased over the 1 bottle limit, arrangements can be made for shipping.
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STEPS
-Make a non-refundable deposit.
-Should you be offered a spot on this trip and decide not to attend - you will lose your deposit.
-Should you make a deposit and we could not meet the minimum to operate - you will be able to apply your deposit to a future trip.
-Deposits cover our time to build the trip, manage the limited space, and to create the contracts and agreements.
-Our trips are one of a kind, built for intimate groups, and lean into the luxury category that fine wine demands (a value at the top tier of travel)
ROOM UPGRADES: may become available, please let us know if you are interested
WHAT TO KNOW:
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Remember we are visiting the countryside, not a city, and while it may not be as formal as Napa, it is stylish. The valley is spectacular to observe no matter the season and everywhere you look is scenic and wildly beautiful.
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We recommend that you have comfortable shoes, bring a warm jacket for evenings, an umbrella, hat and sunscreen, and any prescription medications.
CURRENCY: As of August 07th, 2024 the Mexican Peso is at MX$17 pesos/per U.S. Dollar. plus fees. Should the dollar move more than 2% lower (or more) - an additional currency fee may be required as many of our payments may not transact for some time (some occur on the day of the activity - not in advance).
THE FINE PRINT: This trip is sold by LearnAboutWine in cooperation with host Stacie Hunt, A Regional Expert, Author and Advisor. This trip has a minimum number of participants required for this trip to operate. Once a deposit is made, it is non-refundable unless we are able to sell your spot, and costs of refunding will include fees and processing costs. If positions are not filled, no refunds or credits will be issued (consistent with all our trips and all our policies). Once the trip is paid for, the trip is nonrefundable but it does remain transferable should you become unable to attend (But all agreements must be agreed to by the new guests and we must agree that the new guests qualify, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason). All our trips are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, non-redeemable for any credit, there is no rescheduling nor postponing the trip, no exceptions. There are no cancellations for a position purchased on this trip, however the buyer/participant may sell/gift their position on this trip to their friends/family at their own sole discretion and risk; Buyer/participant is required to inform LearnAboutWine administration in writing of any participation status change. Any delays and/or cancellations to your attendance and/or participation on this trip may result in the cost of the cancellation fee of 100% of the total cost of the trip cost.. We recommend purchasing travelers insurance prior to any travel. We request the presence of winemakers, chefs or proprietors; however, their attendance is not guaranteed and dependent upon circumstances beyond our immediate control; cost of trip is not based on any one appointment. We are well connected to the industry and typically move appointments around to adjust for situations that may arise. All guests travel at your own risk, rules and regulations of the host country preside; all travelers must be in good health and physical condition, please make us aware of any limitations before you join us so that we can make sure we can properly accommodate your needs. All dietary concerns can be met with advanced notice (10 days prior to departure). Covid or other health issues may limit your ability to attend but do not supersede the very strict no cancellation policy.*Note this is a sample itinerary, confirmed itinerary details available via Registration Packet after a deposit for trip commitment has been received.
About
IAN BLACKBURN
I discovered the wine industry while working with Chef’s Thomas Keller and Joachim Splichal in the top dining rooms of Los Angeles. My passion redirected my career from restaurants/hotels to vineyards and wine-education. Now with over 25-years of experience hosting events; leading trips around the wine world; I published a wine book; produced my own wine called Beekeeper Cellars and sat for the difficult Master of Wine Exam! Today, I am considered one of the region's best wine educators and work for my 20,000 followers (follow me), visiting vineyards and wine regions and produce over 100 wine classes and events a year for my businesses and my team.
