Curated Baja California Premium Wine & Gourmet Food Experience - Private Tour

Overview: We are storytellers — we believe your experience is enriched when you know the fascinating stories behind this winemaking and culinary movement… While other operators drop you off at the front door to let you fend for yourself, our bilingual gastroguides are with you every step of the day, translating where necessary, making recommendations as requested, and sharing with you all of the interesting tidbits, secrets, and anecdotes that make for a rich and colorful experience. Living and working in the region, we’ve invested years into developing personal relationships with the owners of the top boutique wineries and restaurants, and since we only work with partners where the owners are part of the day-to-day operations of their businesses, you’ll experience their gracious hospitality and feel the sincere warmth of their personalities shine through to every aspect of your experience.

We will make all your wine tasting & dining reservations — you'll pay for 100% of your own consumption.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: U.S. Customs and Border Protection – San Ysidro Port of Entry (PedWest), 499 Virginia Ave, San Diego, CA 92173, USA

After meeting your bilingual culinary guide and driver at the designated meeting point on the US side of the US-Mexico border in San Ysidro, California (the San Diego to Tijuana border crossing), you'll cross the border on foot with your guide through Mexican Immigration and Customs to our well appointed tour vehicle waiting on the Mexico side of the border. After crossing the border, sit back and relax on the 90-minute drive along the Pacific coast to our first winery stop in the Valle de Guadalupe. We'll stop for restrooms as necessary.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Vina de Frannes, Camino Vecinal al rancho Canada del trigo s/n, Ensenada Municipality 22750 Mexico

Winery Stop #1 - As you take in the expansive morning views of the Valle de Guadalupe, you’ll enjoy a complete tasting flight of premium handcrafted wines while noshing on local artisan cheeses and farm-to-table tapas. On this tour, you’ll learn about the fascinating history and unique methodology of Mexican winemaking.

Please note that the specific wineries chosen for your tour date are based on their availability the day of your tour and may be different than those listed here. We only work with Mexico's top boutique wineries, so the quality of your experience will not be altered. You may request specific wineries/restaurants and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests, depending on vendor availability.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Vena Cava Winery, Rancho San Marcos S/N, 22750 Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., Mexico

Winery Stop #2 - Out on a country dirt road we’ll find a boutique winery that is well hidden from the hustle and bustle of the region and you’ll appreciate why you selected BTK as your guide; here you’ll enjoy another premium wine tasting flight in an underground wine cave, and you might even start feeling a little tipsy, but don’t worry, lunch is next and we are doing all the driving! In addition to tasting more of Mexico’s best wines, you’ll explore unique architecture, take a selfie or two with friends, and get wrapped up even more in the Baja California wine movement as you learn the important differences between small-batch and large-scale winemaking.

Please note that the specific wineries chosen for your tour date are based on their availability the day of your tour and may be different than those listed here. We only work with Mexico's top boutique wineries, so the quality of your experience will not be altered. You may request specific wineries/restaurants and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests, depending on vendor availability.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Finca Altozano, Carretera Tecate - Ensenada Km 83 Ejido, Francisco Zarco, 22750 Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., Mexico

Gourmet Lunch Stop - Sit down for a curated campestre-style gourmet lunch served "al fresco" overlooking the vineyards at one of the region’s top rated outdoor eateries; our expert knowledge of the local culinary movement will shine through as you taste from multiple dishes that truly represent the best of Baja California gastronomy; with Baja Test Kitchen as your culinary guide, your dining experience is sure to be one of the memorable highlights of your trip (curated multi-course tasting menu with share plates served family style included; non-alcoholic beverage included; local wine & beer available for extra purchase; blankets available if it's chilly).

Please note that the specific campestre-style restaurant chosen for your tour date is based on availability the day of your tour and may be different than the one listed here. We only work with the Valle de Guadalupe's top chefs, so the quality of your experience will not be altered. You may request a specific restaurant and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests, depending on vendor availability.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Lechuza Vineyard, KM 82. 5 Carretera Ensenada, Ensenada Municipality 22750 Mexico

Winery Stop #3 - Enjoy a full flight of artisan wines right in the vineyards at Lechuza Winery, which has been selected by The French Laundry in Napa for their Mexican wine list!

Please note that the specific wineries chosen for your tour date are based on their availability the day of your tour and may be different than those listed here. We only work with Mexico's top boutique wineries, so the quality of your experience will not be altered. You may request specific wineries/restaurants and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests, depending on vendor availability.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: PedWest Garita Tijuana, Zona Río, 22010 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Tummy full, and pleasantly buzzed, sit back and enjoy the picturesque drive back to the border in Tijuana, Mexico (interim drop-off stop(s) en route to border and stop for restrooms as necessary). Your guide will drop you off directly in front of the entry gate into the pedestrian border crossing where you will cross by foot back into the U.S.. After clearing U.S. Immigration and Customs, you'll walk back to your car parked in San Ysidro, California, or catch the San Diego Trolley, taxi, or Uber (while most of our groups usually experience just 10-20 minute crossing times, your arrival time in San Ysidro is highly dependent on the actual border wait time on the day of your tour, which may vary - BTK has no ability to affect actual border wait times).

Duration: 2 hours



Included:

• Behind-the-scenes tour of the winemaking facilities at one of the wineries on your tour.
• You'll travel in style to the wineries along Baja California's picturesque Pacific Coast highway.
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled water - We'll keep you well hydrated with bottled water throughout your day of wine tasting in the Baja California desert. Our goal is to make sure you enjoy your day, and don't go home with a headache!
• WiFi on board
• Fuel and road tolls are included with your tour fee.
• We'll make your wine tasting and dinning reservations — you'll pay for 100% of your own consumption.
• EIGHT (8) HOURS ARE INCLUDED WITH YOUR TOUR FEE - after eight hours, additional fees will apply.
• OVERTIME FEES: $95/hour will be charged for every hour over eight (8) rounded up the nearest ½ hour.
• OVERTIME POLICY: It your sole responsibility to manage your tour time; overtime charges apply.
• Your total tour time is calculated from your scheduled meeting time to your actual drop-off time.
• ADDITIONAL DEPOSIT REQUIRED: in addition to you tour fees, a $500 refundable deposit is required.
• $500 deposit will cover any time overage and/or vehicle damage, excess wear, and/or excess cleaning.

Excluded:

• Lunch - We'll make wine tasting and dinning reservations for your group. You will pay for your own consumption (including service gratuities) directly to the vendors listed on your itinerary.
• Alcoholic Beverages - We'll make wine tasting and dinning reservations for your group. You will pay for your own consumption (including service gratuities) directly to the vendors listed on your itinerary.
• Gratuities
• You'll pay for 100% of your own consumption on this tour — we'll make your reservations.
• All inclusive packages are available — contact BTK after booking for options.
• Entry/Admission - Vina de Frannes
• Entry/Admission - Vena Cava Winery
• Entry/Admission - Finca Altozano
• Entry/Admission - Lechuza Vineyard

Additional info:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Near public transportation
• Not wheelchair accessible
• While this experience is open to participants of all ages, the minimum age to drink alcoholic beverages in Mexico is 18 years old. A parent or legal guardian must accompany minors (if you have a different surname than that of your child, you must carry legal documentation affirming your parental/guardian rights).
• Children under 8 years old (or less than 4'9" tall) must be seated in an appropriate car seat or booster seat. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING YOUR OWN CAR SEAT/BOOSTER SEAT - WE DO NOT PROVIDE CAR SEATS OR BOOSTER SEATS AND YOUR SMALL CHILDREN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE CAR SEAT/BOOSTER SEAT.
• Our tour vans only have three (3) seats with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system installed. YOU MUST BRING ALL NECESSARY STRAPS, TETHERS, BUCKLES, AND/OR EQUIPMENT TO PROPERLY INSTALL YOUR CAR SEATS OR BOOSTERS. Our guides/drivers are not allowed to assist with the installation of car seats or boosters - you are advised to bring the installation instructions with you. Your tour time includes the time required to install and remove car seats and boosters.
• If you have more than 10 people in your group, we will not be able to accommodate strollers or luggage (we must remove the back seats in order to accommodate luggage, strollers, etc. - this arrangement must be made at least 48-hours in advance of your tour’s scheduled departure time). LUGGAGE SPACE IS LIMITED. Please contact Baja Test Kitchen to ask about the transport of your luggage, strollers, etc. before booking this experience.
• Your payment for this experience constitutes your full acceptance of the Terms, Conditions, and Tour Policies found on the Baja Test Kitchen website.
• Every tour participant, including children, must carry a valid passport (and if necessary for travel to Mexico or back to the U.S., a valid Entry Visa ). U.S. Passport holders do not require an Entry Visa for travel to Mexico.
• Every adult in your group must agree to and sign the Baja Test Kitchen Participation Agreement (release of liability) at least 24-hours prior to departure.
• Participants must be sober at the inception of the tour. If the trip director deems that a participant is under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs at the inception of the tour (in his/her sole yet reasonable judgement), that participant will be dismissed and will not be allowed to participate in the tour. There will be no refunds, credits, or rescheduling allowances for dismissal due to insobriety at the inception of a tour/workshop.
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Departure Point: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 4463 Camino De La Plaza #111, San Diego, CA 92173, USA

Traveler pickup is offered
FOR GROUPS JOINING THIS TOUR FROM THE U.S. (San Diego), you'll meet your culinary guide on the U.S. side of the border at our designated border meeting point in San Ysidro, California (the San Diego to Tijuana border crossing). It's an easy drive to this border meeting point (with secure parking nearby - extra fee), or take public transportation (San Diego Trolley Blue Line), taxi, or Uber.

FOR GROUPS STAYING IN NORTHERN BAJA CALIFORNIA, pick-up is available north of Ensenada and en-route to the Valle de Guadalupe (we can generally accommodate pick-ups at your hotel or house rental in Central Tijuana, Playas de Tijuana, Rosarito Beach, La Misión, North Ensenada, Valle de Guadalupe, and nearby surrounding areas). If you are staying outside of these areas, an additional transportation surcharge will apply. If you are staying in Northern Baja California, after booking, email BTK with your requested pick-up location in Baja and include the name of the hotel, resort, or subdivision, the street address including major cross streets, exact GPS coordinates, and the best phone number to reach you on the day of your tour.



Departure Time: 8:30 AM

Duration: 8 hours

Return Details: Returns to original departure point


Terms and conditions: All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.