This Mexican Resort Is a Culinary Haven With Organic Vineyards, Michelin Dining, and 24/7 Room Service

This eclectic, relaxed region is home to El Cielo Resort & Winery, the dreamiest resort in the heart of Valle for foodies and wine lovers. When I was given the opportunity to visit, I was elated to check that off my bucket list, but the adventure was so much more magical than I could have imagined.

Villas overlooking the vineyards

As you arrive at El Cielo Resort & Winery, verdant vines and Tuscan-California-style villas emerge quickly alongside the dusty driveway peppered with olive trees. The entire resort is a semi-circle of these stunning 2,000-square-foot villas encapsulating vineyards, reservoirs, and beautiful gardens.

The property’s Master Suites feel like a sanctuary, for good reason, as they’re all over 1,000 square feet. And that’s not including the private patio and firepit, which are the perfect spots to savor a glass of wine as the sun dips behind the mountains each evening. The suites also have two full bathrooms (one with a massive jacuzzi), a full kitchen with a fridge (and, naturally, a wine fridge, too), an entire living room, and a dining table for eight accented by a gas fireplace.

The Junior Suites are smaller, but each has a balcony that gives you the best vantage point of the valley. Due to their size and amenities, the villas here are an incredible alternative to vacation rentals. Each villa has a Master Suite on the ground level and two Junior Suites on the second floor, meaning that each villa can accommodate at least 12 guests between the three rooms.

Tastings at El Cielo Resort & Winery

The winery resort is nestled among more than 70 acres of vineyards, which contribute to the production of chardonnay, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, nebbiolo, and more. The El Cielo brand is responsible for over 30 different wine lines.

Now, 75 percent of the vineyards are certified organic, thanks to El Cielo’s falconry program. Instead of using chemicals or nets, the daily presence of falcons acts as a natural predatory system, keeping pests away in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. While visiting, I met Cassiopeia, one of the falcons who helps with the program. Depending on the day, you may be able to meet one of the resident falcons, as well.

While you can step outside your room and wander directly into rows of vines, the winery is a quick drive down the road. It’s within a walkable distance, but it’s also a bit dusty, so calling for transportation from your villa is more comfortable.

El Cielo Winery offers three unmissable experiences: a vineyard tour by golf cart or covered wagon, a blend-your-own wine session, and a wine and chocolate pairing. With expert sommeliers like Sebastian and Lusia guiding you, each activity is executed perfectly for both wine lovers and those who’ve never tasted wine before. While enjoying all three in one day is possible, I recommend spreading them out over two days to immerse yourself in the indulgent, relaxing atmosphere (and be able to taste more wine over multiple days).

Begin with the vineyard tour to gain a deep appreciation for the scale and intensity of the operation. Follow this with a tasting in the cava, or wine cellar, where you can savor El Cielo’s finest vintages. The wine and chocolate pairing, which you can enhance with virtual reality goggles or enjoy on its own, couples local chocolates from Venus Chocolates with El Cielo’s most beloved wines. My personal favorite was the cardamom chocolate with Capricornus wine. The spiced French barrels help bring out the spice in the chocolate, which is simply delicious.

Then, during the blend-your-own wine activity, you get to step into the role of a winemaker, basically a scientist, meticulously crafting your ideal blend from the day’s top varietals selected by the sommeliers. You get to bottle and name your wine. I named mine — a nebbiolo-tempranillo blend — La Buena Vida, or The Good Life. Because that’s what a trip to El Cielo feels like.

Once you’re done tasting, an attendant will call transportation for you right at the winery entrance to get back to the resort.

Dining at El Cielo Resort

It’s not just about the wine at El Cielo. The property’s restaurant, Latitud 32, earned a mention in the 2024 Michelin Guide Mexico. Given the owner’s history in Yucatán and love for Baja, the restaurant serves a Yucatán-Baja fusion menu.

For lunch, order the clam chowder featuring fresh Pismo clams from San Quintín Bay. Visiting from New England, where we’re known for our creamy clam chowder, I have to admit, I was apprehensive to try it in Mexico. But I can confidently say it was the best clam chowder I’ve ever had, which was a trend at this restaurant. Every bite, every plate, was better than the last. But unlike traditional Mexican food — which is sometimes known for being fried and heavy, albeit delicious — every plate at Latitud 32 is light and fresh while maintaining traditional flavors.

For dinner, the six-course tasting menu with wine pairings is the star of the show. The price is incredibly reasonable: $150 per person with the wine pairing or $87 per person without the pairing. My favorite dish (a hard choice to make) was the pork belly tacos on a blue corn tortilla with Copernicus 2020, El Cielo’s cabernet sauvignon-merlot blend.

The resort also has one additional on-site restaurant, Polaris, for breakfast, lunch, and 24/7 room service. There’s nothing quite as indulgent as ordering s’mores to your room to roast by the fire pit at night, waking up to tasty chilaquiles with salsa verde waiting for you at your door, or being welcomed by a cheeseburger after a long travel day — I know from experience.

If you dine at Polaris for breakfast or lunch, sit on the exterior deck overlooking the property. Not only are the views of the vineyards breathtaking, but you’ll also get hints of rosemary wafting across the patio because of all the plants they have growing on the property.

Things to do at El Cielo Resort

While the winery and Latitud 32 are the resort’s undeniable draw, the tranquility of the entire property invites you to slow down and savor the stillness. One perfect place to do this is by the pool, where you can call for a cocktail or a glass of Hypatia, El Cielos’s tastiest bubbly.

While the resort has plans to add a spa, for now, all spa services are private in-room experiences. Plan on enjoying a massage with Lorna Alvarado, a local massage therapist and energy healer. She recently earned recognition for being one of the top Swedish massage therapists in the world at the International Massage Association’s World Championship. While you can reserve once you arrive, I recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.

If you like to be active, the resort also has bikes that guests can borrow, a gym, and plenty of paths for walking and jogging around the vineyards and the central pond area.

Things to do in Valle de Guadalupe

According to the resort team, most guests stay at El Cielo for about four days. Once you spend one to two days exploring the property, use the resort as a jumping-off point to explore Valle de Guadalupe’s Ruta del Vinos, or wine route, along with the destination’s other eclectic offerings.

Since there are nearly 200 wineries on the route, it can be overwhelming to narrow them down. The succulent garden and views at Finca La Carrodilla will bring any plant lover immense joy. And, if you’re a fan of sparkling rosé, head to Decantos Vinicola. Lomas Travel can help you plan a day trip itinerary with vineyards chosen based on your unique preferences right at the concierge desk in the lobby.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Animalón (@animalonbaja)

The area is one of Mexico’s next great foodie destinations, too. This year, three restaurants within 20 minutes of the resort were awarded Michelin stars: Animalón, Damiana, and Conchas de Piedra. Seven were also deemed Bib Gourmand, an award given by the Michelin Guide to restaurants that offer high-quality food at a good value.

If you want something non-food-related, there’s a brand-new, female-owned venture called Cacttus Hat Bar where you can design your very own vegan suede cowboy hat. Prices range from $164 to $223 for a fully decked-out, custom-branded hat with all the accessories you want to add. Cacttus welcomes walk-ins as well as reservations for larger groups. Just send them a message on Instagram.

When to visit Valle de Guadalupe

Locals say the only month to avoid Valle is January. Since it’s peak rainy season, the dusty roads turn to mud. And since many of the area’s restaurants, vineyards, and activities are outdoors, it’s less enjoyable.

While all seasons are mild, there’s one season that beats the rest: La Vendimia, or harvest season. It typically runs from August to October, and all of the hotels and vineyards in the area host special events, especially for the first few weeks in August.

How to get to El Cielo Resort

Since Valle de Guadalupe is so close to the United States-Mexico border, many West Coasters drive. But, if you need to fly, you have two airport options: Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) or San Diego International Airport (SAN).

While flying into Tijuana is seemingly easier than crossing the border, finding a direct flight is tricky unless you come from a small handful of West Coast cities. Coming from New York, with delays, it ended up being a 17-hour travel day for me. That’s a bit rough when you’re only going for a long weekend.

Next time, I would fly directly to San Diego and cross into Tijuana airport via the Cross Border Xpress, an expedited pedestrian bridge. Arrange for a rental car or organize transportation through Lomas Travel in advance so you can travel to Valle easily upon arrival.

One thing to know is that Valle de Guadalupe isn’t walkable, and Uber isn’t available. So, the best option is to have a car or work with the resort to arrange transportation throughout your stay. El Cielo makes it incredibly simple and can have a van at your door in minutes to go anywhere in town. Plan to hitch a ride, especially if you don’t have a travel buddy who wants to be the designated driver while indulging in the fruitful bounty of Mexican wine country.