Day 2, Route 3, Wine Country Baja, Xecue and Clos de 3 Cantos

We woke up in such a lovely spot (at the Posada Inn) we decided to hang around till check out, which was basically any time that day. I made one more visit to the petting zoo (burrow and horse branch) then we headed down the road.

Our first stop was Xecue vineyard. Now we are getting into some fine small producers. On the Ruta del Vino map, it shows this vineyard slightly off the main drag. It is actually a bit of an off- road excursion. We almost turned back twice. The road, due to a recent rain is a little sketchy. Fortunately there were signs along the way and we eventually arrived at their lovely vineyard. Picture; golden hills, rolling vineyards, exceptional cactus gardens, beautiful tasting room, delicious wines and delightful host. Like paring a good wine; this vineyard is paired by a husband and wife team. He is an agronomist and she is a chemist. Their wines are accumulating awards and notoriety.

We had a short tour of the winery, and tasted a special fall harvest sample (deliciously sweet), but what I liked was the tour of his cactus garden exhibiting many varieties of cacti, yucca, agaves and spices. He had a hedge of rosemary and sage suitable for tea. He also had a “research” garden which he experimented with different varieties of plants suitable for their location. As we circled round back to our car we bought a couple bottles or wine and waved good-by to Jose Luis Hernández, his cactus and his winery.

Our next stop strikes me more as an architectural find. It is the Clos de 3 Cantos. You can see this one from the road. Architecturally speaking it is stunning. It looks like stone pyramids with their tops cut off, clutching then balancing on a ridge overlooking, yes, vineyards on both sides.

The structures are built of local stone with wine bottles for windows. The tasting room itself is small and way beyond cool. There are cement easy chairs and couches in the court yard, the views again are beautiful. We sat outside in the sun, sampled 3 nice reds, bought a bottle and bounced down the hill.

By this time (afternoon) we both declared ourselves “wined out”. Understand we are not wine coinsures. I love the landscape, the architecture of these wild little places, the efforts and strength of entrepreneurs and the growth of small industries. Talent, hard work, success. It’s great to see.

For anyone interested in touring a “different” wine country. Make the trip, and stay a while.