It’s a bit dustier and rougher around the edges than the prized Napa Valley, but Baja’s wine country, Valle de Guadalupe, offers a relaxed, unpretentious, budget-friendly experience clustered along a main highway in this region of Mexico known as the Ruta del Vino.

The fast-growing wine mecca just two hours south of San Diego is home to hip boutique hotels, an impressive culinary scene and more than 100 wineries to satisfy the most discerning of aficionados.

The greenest and busiest time to visit is May to September, but other months welcome serious connoisseurs looking for a quieter trip with more personal attention – often from the winemakers themselves. Add in a few crisp evenings spent sipping your favourite chardonnay by a fire pit and you’ve got yourself a memorable wine getaway with a fraction of the fuss.

Sip tips

Vinas de Garza: This romantic hilltop tasting room has some of the best views in the valley. Don’t leave without trying the Blanco del Rancho Mogorcito, a delightful sauvignon blanc-chardonnay blend that delivers bright, fruity, unoaked flavours.

Hacienda la Lomita: Family-run Lomita, and its biodynamic sister location Finca La Carrodilla, are committed to organic farming. Lomita’s tiny but trendy tasting room is known for its artsy ambiance and ruby red rose, a marshmallow and caramel-flavoured dream.

Villa Montefiori: Set back off the main road, Montefiori’s tasting room is a large viewing deck perched above its sprawling vineyard. They boast “Mexican wines with an Italian heart” with vines imported from owner Paolo Paoloni’s home country, Italy.

Monte Xanic: This lakeside oasis is owned by a collective of Mexican families. It’s one of the largest, oldest and most well-manicured properties in the area. The winery’s dry and fruity malbec was a standout.

Food finds

Come for the wine, but stay for the food. Valle de Guadalupe’s restaurants serve up artistic, creative haute cuisine with a more palatable price than a comparable meal stateside.

Finca Altozano: This rustic, Instagram-friendly steakhouse whips up locally sourced, seasonal delights like wood-fired quall and ahi tuna tostadas. The most memorable meal of the trip was Finca’s grilled Pacific octopus in a mouth-watering citrus soy sauce. Don’t forget to check out the gorgeous grounds and the larger-than-life wine barrel viewing decks, perfect for stargazing with a nightcap.

Rustic steakhouse Finca Altozano, which includes sweeping views of Valle de Guadalupe. Photo: Nicole Evatt / AP

Adobe Food Truck: For a casual lunch with outdoor seating, stop by this popular food truck serving sandwiches, salads and tapas.

Deckman’s: Dine under the stars with an outdoor kitchen helmed by Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman. The locally grown, farm-to-table fare includes Thai curry mussels and a five-course tasting menu.

Hip hotels

Although gourmet food is a steal in Valle, expect fewer frills and pricier rates from the boutique hotels popping up throughout the area.

Villas Maglen: This newly built, centrally located hotel has six desert-chic villas grouped around fire pits, a small pool and an onsite restaurant.

Adobe Guadalupe: Explore the valley’s vineyards via horseback while staying in this stunning, hacienda-style hotel.

Encuentro Guadalupe: This unique property offers 22 modern, eco-friendly pods with sweeping vineyard views.

Getting there

Valle de Guadalupe is in the Baja California region of Mexico, which includes around 3200km of coastline and offers a number of other attractions in addition to eating and drinking (more information here).

Baja’s largest city is Tijuana, just over the border from America, but the closest major airport for international travellers is San Diego, around 144km, or a two-hour drive, north of the border. You can hire a car and drive yourself around the wine trail, or use a service such as UberVale. Some operators, such as Baja Winery Tours, offer tours from San Diego to Baja.

-AP