Visit This Wine Region in Baja to Discover Mexico’s Best Kept-Secret

Mexico has something for every type of traveler: white sand beaches in Tulum, trendy restaurants and museums in Mexico City, Maya ruins in Chichen Itza, and tequila in, well, Tequila. The Baja peninsula is giving you one more reason to head south: Just 90 miles south of San Diego airport, Valle de Guadalupe is the country’s burgeoning wine region. A trip here is like stumbling upon a hidden gem — while the food and wine are comparable to California’s Napa Valley, the region to which it often draws comparisons, the Valle has a more rustic, low-key, and family-grown vibe. It’s a destination where you’ll wind along dirt roads to find unique tasting rooms, chat with the winemakers, get invited to a family birthday party, and, of course, drink copious amounts of good, inexpensive wine.

The Valle isn’t new; Spanish missionaries gave the region its current name in the 1800s and established its agricultural success. Later, Russians fleeing the Russian Revolution bought land in the valley and devoted a portion of it to winemaking. The first vineyard, Bodegas de Santo Tomás, was established in 1888, and there are now over 100 wineries (and counting) along La Ruta del Vino, AKA The Wine Route. The Valle has a cool microclimate due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean — the morning fog that rolls in each day helps the grapes grow, creating a unique minerality to the wines here.

It’s apparent that wine connoisseurs and jetsetters alike have begun to catch on to the charms of the Valle; luxury hotel offerings are cropping up everywhere, and in 2017 Baja chef Javier Plascencia and LA-based chef Nancy Silverton launched the Valle Food and Wine Festival to celebrate culinary achievements both north and south of the border. With the Valle’s growing popularity, there’s no better time to visit; book a trip now before the crowds come calling.

Where to Stay

El Cielo Winery & Resort is a new hotel with luxury suites and villas set on 79 acres of rolling vineyards. The opening of the resort coincides with the fifth anniversary of the El Cielo Wines, whose celestially themed vintages draw inspiration from the spectacularly starry skies in the Valle. The 56 suites are located in large, modern villas, nestled among a mountainous backdrop and offering views of the property’s two lakes, gardens, and vineyards. To really live it up, book one of the two 2,777-square-foot Presidential Villas: Each can comfortably sleep your entire squad and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, wine fridge, lounge, and oversized jacuzzi.

Even the spacious junior and master suites are nothing to shake your head at — every amenity and detail has been thought of, and the tranquil setting and exceptionally warm service will make you feel like you’ve found your own personal slice of heaven. There are two gourmet restaurants on-site, a pool, and a soon-to-come spa. A variety of activities are offered, including ATV riding, a trolley tour through the vineyards, and traditional grape stomping. The hotel also provides transfer services from the San Diego and Tijuana airports to make the journey there stress-free.

Nearby, you can also find some more unconventional housing options. The “eco-lofts” and “eco-villas” of Encuentro Guadalupe are futuristic glass, wood, and steel structures built into a mountainside, perched above the soil. (Rihanna rented out the entire resort a few years back.) Bruma’s Casa 8, a “desert-cozy bed & breakfast,” has eight separate suites designed to blend into the natural surroundings. And If you’re looking to do a little more glamping in your life, the cabins at Cabañas Cuatro Cuatros will give you a taste of sleeping in an elevated tent — with the added convenience of A/C, an attached bathroom, and a personal terrace.

Where to Drink and Eat

Start with El Cielo, Mexico’s first winery to use solar panels: Its 79 acres of vineyards produce 15 varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc, Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, and Grenache. The winemaker has 20 years of experience and oversees the four specialty brands of wine — Astros, Astrónomos, Constelaciones, and Estrellas (Reserve) — each of which has a distinct character, whether you’re looking for something classic or special.

Vena Cava, the hippest and possibly most eco-friendly winery in the region, is constructed partly from reclaimed fishing boats and other recycled materials and uses organic grapes from its vineyards in its blends. Continue the organic trend with Finca la Carrodilla, Mexico’s first certified organic vineyard. Lechuza Winery, started by the Magnussen family in 2005, has the honor of having its wines served in Yountville’s most famous eatery, the French Laundry — if it’s good enough for Thomas Keller, then it’s good enough for us.

Once you’re ready to soak up some of that wine, there’s no shortage of incredible dining experiences. El Cielo Resort and Winery’s Latitud 32 (named after the latitudinal coordinate of the Valle) is helmed by chef Marco Marin — who was part of the kitchen staff of Copenhagen’s critically acclaimed NOMA — and serves up inventive Baja-Yucatan fusion dishes. Think creative ceviche, handmade tortillas, and plenty of fresh seafood. If you can snag a reservation at the well-regarded and high-end Laja (a seasonal four- or eight-course menu) or Corazon de Tierra (modern Mexican), do so — both made the list of Latin America’s Best Restaurants in 2017. And recently opened upscale Fauna, at the Bruma hotel, is gaining acclaim for its “experimental menu” from young chef Chef David Castro Hussong (whose experience includes stints in New York’s Eleven Madison Park and Blue Hill at Stone Barns).

More casual options are also available. Michelin-rated, Georgia-born chef Drew Deckman has Deckman’s en Mogor, a sustainable restaurant serving meats and produce grown on-site, all in a picnic setting. At another open-air restaurant, Finca Altozano, chef Plasencia prepares simple Baja cuisine in a country steakhouse style.

About 25 miles from the Valle is Ensenada, a small fishing village and seaport (many a cruise docks here) that’s the birthplace of both the fish taco and the margarita. Two bars claim to have each invented the cocktail — Cantina Hussong’s, an old stagecoach station and the oldest canteen in Ensenada, and Bar Andaluz, which is located inside the Centro Social Cívico Cultural Riviera de Ensenada and has a sign outside boasting their 1948 invention of the margarita. Regardless of which tale you choose to believe, head to either (or both!) to enjoy a margarita on the rocks. While you’re in Ensenada, be sure to track down La Guerrerense, a street food cart serving amazingly cheap fresh seafood tostadas and wickedly spicy hot sauce. Just look for the line — the food cart gained additional popularity when Anthony Bourdain visited during an episode of No Reservations, calling it “Le Bernardin-quality seafood in the street.”

Tag us in your next vacation on Instagram @BritandCo.

(Photos via El Cielo Winery & Resort and Alejandro Alarcón/Vena Cava)

Live up to the “rosé all day" slogan this season by shaking up one of these refreshing rosé cocktail recipes we've gathered from bars, recipe developers, and winemakers across the country. This list includes a twist on the classic French 75, a rosé mimosa, and a new version of frosé... and yes, they all star everyone's favorite pink wine! Cheers to these delightful sips when the days are long and the temps are hot. Scroll for the recipes!


Frozen Watermelon Rosé Sangria Slushies

We can't wait to combine a few of our favorite things with this drink. Slushies, booze, and watermelon – all in one sip! Freeze sliced watermelon and fresh raspberries ahead of time to make sure that the finished drink has that perfect frozen consistency. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Pink Sangria with Rosé Wine

Prep a big pitcher of this rosé-infused sangria to share with all the besties. (via Barley & Sage)

The Pink French 75 Cocktail

This rosé cocktail is a great choice for every flirty and fun cocktail drinker. And with elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and vodka or gin, it's a quick and easy fix! Pink cocktails for the win. (via The Beauty Blotter)

Raspberry and Pomegranate Rosé Cocktail

This sweet, tart drink makes for a relaxing summer evening. Pomegranate juice, fresh lime, and raspberries give the glass a fruity kick, and the gin and rosé give it the right amount of edge. (via Foolproof Living)

Always Sparkling from Ruffino

Ingredients (serves 1):

  • 1 ounce cognac
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounce strawberry purée
  • 1 dash rose water
  • Ice
  • 1 1/2 ounces Ruffino Sparkling Rosé
  • Fresh strawberries, to garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake all ingredients together except for the rosé.
  2. Strain into a lowball glass with ice and top off with sparkling rosé.
  3. Garnish with a strawberry.

Lavender Lemonade Rosé Cocktails

Lemon and lavender is a match made in heaven, and we can't wait to try this cocktail! A pinch of sea salt rounds out the flavor for a full-bodied drink. (via Plays Well With Butter)

Watermelon Rosé Paloma

This fizzy, sweet sip partners up with a salty, spicy rim that'll keep you coming back for more. (via Half Baked Harvest)

No-Wait Frosé

For anyone who's a *little bit* impatient when it comes to devouring delicious recipes (we totally understand), then this is for you. This drink — which features rosé, frozen strawberries, and vodka — only takes 5 minutes to make, which makes us love it even more than we already did. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Rosé Wine Granita

The hottest of summer days deserve a sweet icy treat like this rosé slushy. It's like a snow cone, but better! (via Feast + West)

Rosé Mimosa from Kim Crawford Wines

Ingredients (serves 4):

For the syrup:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

For the cocktail:

  • 1 bottle Kim Crawford Rosé
  • 1/2 bottle prosecco
  • 8 rosemary sprigs, to garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a small saucepan bring the sugar and water to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes until dissolved.
  2. Cool and mix in the rosé, then freeze in a loaf pan, breaking up occasionally until frozen solid.
  3. Process in batches in a food processor until smooth, then freeze again until firm.
  4. Scoop into coupe glasses and top off with Prosecco.
  5. Garnish with rosemary and serve.

Rosé Raspberry Sorbet Mimosas

These mimosas are a unique and colorful addition to brunch or weekends with your gal pals. The drink might have sorbet in it, but we'll still pair it with dessert. (via Fox and Briar)

Strawberry Peach Frosé

As far as we're concerned, peaches are the *ultimate* summer fruit. They're juicy, sweet, and taste amazing in a variety of summer dishes. Add it to your rosé recipe to give your drink even more of a summer feel. (via Culinary Hill)

Summer's Perfect Rosé Spritzer

With strawberries, mint, and lemon, this rosé cocktail is like summer in a glass. (via The Sweetest Occasion)

Frozen Peach Rosé Slushy

Decadent peaches get frozen then blended with your best rosé wine for a drink that keeps things extra cool. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Strawberry Frozen Rosé

Because this cocktail has fruit in it, that means it's a healthy option, right?! Either way, this frosé recipe is delicious and super fitting for summertime – day or night. (via Barley & Sage)

Next time you need a drink for an evening on the front porch or brunch, grab one of these rosé cocktails. Any of these recipes will add some flavor to your spring or summer day!

Follow us on Pinterest for more classic cocktails.

This article has been updated from a previous post.

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

There are times when you’re celebrating big, so you're willing to spring for an expensive champagne. But what if you want a little bubbly to freeze, spike mimosas with, or to pour into a champagne tower? Trader Joe's to the rescue! Trader Joe's champagne has expanded waaaay beyond 'Two-Buck Chuck' to include French champagne and other sparkling white wines produced using the Champagne method, which are *way* less expensive.

Time to pop some tags – no – corks! Here are some of the best Trader Joe's champagnes you can snag on a bargain... ones that even your wine snob friends will love.

Simpler Wine Italian Wine Cocktail

We're kind of obsessed with these little guys, which hold a little over a glass of wine in each $1 can. We love the mango flavor, with hints of fruit and a fizzy finish. Bring these to any BYOB situation, and you're sure to be a hit.

French Fizz Le Blanc 2021

This French sparkling wine, made with a blend of grapes, has a light body with a dry, crisp, and citrusy taste. Plus, the bottle looks so fancy! It also comes in a tasty rosé version.

Brut Rosé French Sparkling Wine

We can’t get enough of this pink Italian sparkler. When summer rolls around, be sure to stock up on these reasonably priced ($7!) bottles.

Opaline Pinot Noir Brut Rosé

This bottle has the delicate flavors of red fruits like strawberry and raspberry, and it bubbles just like a much more expensive option would. You essentially get the taste you love without the price tag!

Trader Joe's Reserve Brut Rosé

Also fermented in the traditional méthode champenoise, this North Coast Californian bubbly has hints of strawberry and a clean, dry finish. It's a flawless upgrade to your basic brunch mimosas!

Villa Antica Asolo Prosecco DOCG Superiore

Prosecco is a dry Italian sparkling wine that starts with different grapes than champagne and undergoes an entirely different fermentation process. (Champagne goes through a second fermentation in the bottle to achieve all of those bubbles and rich texture, while prosecco's second fermentation happens in large vats, which is why it's so affordable.) This prosecco has a clean mouthfeel, bright, bubbles, and a melon-forward flavor. (Photo via Trader Joe's)

Platinum Reserve Brut Sparkling Wine Sonoma County

This medium-bodied brut hints of apple and pear, plus a light gingery spice. It's easy sipping, so you don't have to save it for a special occasion — today will do! Cheers!

La Burgondie Crémant de Bourgogne

Made up of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay, and Aligotè grapes, this sparkling bev has notes of citrus and red apple with a dash of gingerbread spice.

If you’re enjoying this roundup of Trader Joe’s champagne, there’s more where that came from. Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our newsletter!

Photos via Trader Joe’s.

Additional reporting by Sally Jones and Meredith Holser.

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Kindel Media / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our best 2024 gift guides, shopping advice, and all things holiday!

The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

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This post has been updated.