Adobe Guadalupe B&B, also a winery and equestrian training center, is a simply gorgeous resort. We arrived there on 12/29 and left on 12/31. There are only 6 rooms; guests have the run of the place other than, of course, the owners' quarters. The friendly owners, the Millers, are in plain sight -- you will see them at the inviting long table in the kitchen during breakfast or, if you choose to eat dinner at the resort, in the dining room, or simply just in passing.

We drove to Adobe Guadalupe from San Diego, crossing the border at Tecate. Navigating out of Tecate when going to the Valle de Guadalupe or San Felipe is, in our experience, preferable to heading south out of Tijuana or Mexicali. The real benefit is that on return, the border crossing wait time is dramatically shorter. There is nothing worse than enjoying a stay in Baja, then being stuck at the border for hours trying to return to the U.S. -- a real mood destroyer!

We followed directions provided in Adobe Guadalupe's web site. The final leg of the trip took is up a bumpy dirt road. Visitors must stop at a sentry point; a list is consulted, a gate is opened - not electronically but by hand -- and you're in! The buildings are surrounded by acres and acres of vineyards which in turn are fenced in by mountains.

One of the first things we noticed on arrival was a bunch of Weimaraners dancing in the parking lot. As we later learned, there are eight of these blonde beauties on site. Jack is the oldest and he is a grump. The dogs have the run of the property; you may feel a cold nose on your ankle at breakfast. We were greatly amused by these guys, but for anyone afraid of or annoyed by dogs, their presence could be a drawback to a relaxing stay.

We were welcomed by Lucy, who gave us a tour of the property as well as a big glass of house wine -- in this case, Gabriel 2009, a delicious vino tinto -- and my favorite of all the wine we tasted over the next 2 days. We had reserved massages for before dinner -- one hour of total bliss! (A.G. offers a menu of options -- massages, dinner, horseback riding -- not included in the price of the room.) Then we were taken to the resort's wine cellar for a tasting -- fun and informative, too! Dinner was delicious, the courses accompanied by generous wine pourings and a round of mezcal!

The next morning, we enjoyed the standard breakfast: fresh fruit, fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee, eggs cooked to order, bacon, guacamole, tortillas. Fortified, we explored the grounds. A highlight was touring the stable, "meeting" the horses, and observing equestrian manager Marci train a future star.

Note: Those riding horseback will be escorted by at least 3 Weimaraners.

We visited several Valley wineries, the Russian Museum, and the local (ejido) graveyard -- a ggod, the bad and the ugly kind of day. The graveyard visit was literally shocking: we saw grassy mounds topped by wooden crosses, banks of fake flower offerings, horse and cattle hoofprints -- and droppings, broken glass, and heartfelt memorials to loved ones.

One strong recommendation: Dona Lupe Winery, behind L.A. Cetto - They offer an astonishing variety of jams, olive oils, salsas, and more.

We had our second night dinner at the Hacienda Guadalupe -- in our opinion, it didn't measure up to the hype. The meals were unimaginatively prepared and too salty. Our dinner at AG was much better in terms of flavor, freshness -- and ambiance.

Americans, fearful of violence, are increasingly reluctant to visit Mexico. The clientele for Adobe Guadalupe used to be 75% Americans, 25% Mexicans. Now the ratios are reversed. The Mexican tourists are coming over from the Mainland to visit the wine country --- and the Americans are staying home. How unfortunate! Mexico is a treasure.

As for Adobe Guadalupe -- strongly recommended!

We arrived at the hacienda and were instantly impressed. We were a group of 8, so we had 4 of the 6 rooms reserved. Upon arrival we were greeted with a nice glass of wine. The property is amazing, the kitchen inviting, the vineyards lovely, and the service absolutely warm and welcoming. We had the pleasure of having breakfast with Mr. Miller, the owner, and Mrs. Miller chatted with us and made sure we were comfortable. The rooms are spacious and very clean. The floors are tile, not carpet, and while there are area rugs around the bed, slippers might come in handy in the colder months.There are no keys for the bedrooms, which some may find uncomfortable. The doors lock from the inside, so when going to bed one is able to lock the door. We felt absolutely safe at all times. The bathrooms are well cared for and fully equipped with toiletries and hair dryer, robes, etc. Breakfast is served in the gourmet kitchen and was tasty. In the evening our group of 8 gathered in one of the grand rooms, played the piano, and sipped on wine. The wood burning fireplace made it all extra cozy. There is a pool and a hot tub, both which we did not use due to cold weather. The hacienda has a beautiful courtyard, fountains, and the wine tasting room is just steps away. This place is a perfect spot to get away from it all.

I no words to describe the magic of this Bed and Breakfast.
M

An enchanting location with a magnificent hacienda. The gourmet four course dinner prepared by Chef Marta was incredible along with the award winning wines from this winery. The chef knows exactly how to entice the palate, and exactly the perfect portions of food to serve so that it leaves you feeling completely satisfied without feeling like you overate. The owner and host Tru Miller is an absolute delight, make sure you sit at her table for dinner. I can't wait for my next visit.