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At Olivea Farm to Table, Michelin-awarded chef Daniel Nates puts Valle's produce, herbs, and Baja seafood in the spotlight. His polished, nine-course dinner features dishes such as smoky carrots, handmade pastas, and citrus-bright local seafood. For fantastic cuisine beyond the Michelin Guide, look to stalwarts Fauna, Troika, Deckman's, and Finca Altozano — all superb in their own ways. Baja Uncorked Valle de Guadalupe's wine scene is as diverse as its landscape, with bold red varietals at the forefront. Each winery offers its own interpretation of Baja California's terroir, winning coveted global awards and recognition. eir mystique is real, since few wineries distribute beyond their own tasting rooms, and Americans can bring just one bottle back across the border. Finca La Carrodilla is a must for us on each visit and stands out for its organic approach and beautifully designed rooftop tasting area. eir wines are expressive and balanced, and we enjoy sipping their tempranillo while taking in the expansive vineyard views. At El Cielo Winery, the experience is as cultured as the wines. From structured reds to crisp whites, their portfolio reflects the valley's climate shaped by warm days and cooling ocean influences. Here we had fun blending our own combination of malbec and cabernet, designing the label, and bottling it to take home. Plato Winery offers a more boutique experience, with a spartan tasting room housed inside a shipping container. Smaller production allows for experimentation, and of all the wines we have tasted, we believe this could be among the best. Hot Beds of Creativity Boutique hotels dot the hilly terrain surrounding Valle, and their creative approaches to upscale hospitality are reshaping the luxury resort conversation. El Cielo Resort & Winery is firmly positioned as the largest and most sophisticated resort offering in Valle. Set across a sprawling vineyard estate, the gated property balances intimacy with more than 80 villa-style accommodations surrounded by water features, olive groves, and rows of vines. e recent arrival of Banyan Tree Veya elevated Valle de Guadalupe to a global luxury stage, blending wellness, architecture, and environment into a seamless experience. Villas are spacious and private, many with plunge pools and expansive valley views. Down the road, Suraya Hotel leans into a ranch-style setting surrounded by vineyards and citrus orchards. Earth-toned structures, clean lines, and curated interiors create a bespoke sense of luxury. We enjoyed sipping their rosé while soaking in the hot tub and dipping into the swimming pool to cool off. Romantic by design, Hotel Los Amantes offers an intimate, adults-focused escape blending rustic industrial textures with contemporary Baja finishes. We loved that each suite feels like its own private retreat, with outdoor living spaces and complimentary mezcal tastings. Breakfasts here are a thing of beauty. Getting ere is Easy No need to stress about how to get to Valle de Guadalupe. We've made the journey more than a dozen times in complete comfort and safety. Visitors can Uber to the Cross Border Xpress in Otay Mesa, walk across in less than 15 minutes, and be picked up by a luxury vehicle with an English-speaking driver. From there, it's about 90 minutes to reach the valley and its abundance of offerings. For an extra fee, there are also drivers who will pick guests up at their homes throughout San Diego County and drive them down to Valle de Guadalupe. Within the valley, several private tour companies comfortably transport visitors to wineries and restaurants of their choosing. OPPOSITE TOP LEFT The trendsetting tasting room at Finca de Carrodilla Winery offers an open-air garden and stunning views across vineyards OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT Leading the way as one of Valle's five Michelin- star restaurants, Damiana serves up inventive and colorful cuisine carefully matched with notable wine pairings OPPOSITE RGHT El Cielo Resort & Winery offers guests spacious luxury suites and resort accommodations within expansive gated grounds ABOVE Fauna Restaurant at Bruma Winery is widely celebrated for its gorgeous indoor/outdoor garden setting and elevated menu @ranchandcoast RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE JUNE 2026 91