There’s nothing quite like Valley de Guadalupe in the fall. The grape harvest is wrapping up and the local greenery, deep into the region’s dry season, is starting to crinkle and crackle in the wind. There is this freshness that sweeps over a valley that during the summer can easily be in the 90s for days on end. Winemakers, their schedules starting to ease, offer winery guests a taste of the recently crushed mosto (wine must) or the year’s newest fermentation along with their usual line of varietals. It’s hard not to fall in love.
That’s exactly what happened to chef Javier Plascencia and his family as they traveled back and forth from Tijuana to the Valle setting up the now-famous Finca Altozano restaurant. Hosting other chefs and guests they would often rent the Finca La Divina property from its original owners until they finally purchased it and renovated it for themselves.
Finca la Divina apropos of its name, is a little slice of heaven in the valley, a vacation rental that can either be booked as an entire home or by the room, three in the main house and one separate cabaña on the other side of the pool. A wood fireplace sits at one end of the massive living room for those cool fall evenings, clusters of comfy couches are littered with brightly knitted comforters, and leather-covered easy chairs pair with ottomans for putting up your feet after a hard day of wine tasting.
A bar is set up at the other end of the living room offering wine and beer for purchase. The house retains a cook for breakfast in the morning and she will make you a hearty Mexican breakfast of chilaquiles, eggs, beans, fresh bread from Finca Altozano, and homemade juice.
The house’s central outdoor patio is dominated by a heated 30-foot swimming pool with a heated jacuzzi at one end for a warm soak and a glass of wine under the stars. Outside are also clusters of deck chairs, an outdoor bar and table for six, and little corners to retreat to if you don’t feel like being social. If you do however, other guests will mix and mingle and you will find you have a new group of friends by the end of your trip.
Rooms aren’t grandiose but they are well-appointed with quality linens and bath products as well as a unique collection of art pieces and mismatched furniture. Cool, stone floors are covered in thick woven rugs, antique mirrors hang on the walls, and embroidered Mexican runners grace the foot of the bed. There are extra towels for the pool and lavender soaps and lotions — a common site in the valley where lavender grows everywhere.
Everything feels like visiting a friend in the country for a weekend and the large kitchen is perfect for making your own meals or hiring a chef for your stay. There is dishware and table settings for 12 at least so if you wanted to rent the entire space for a celebration you would have everything you need.
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If you happen in on the right night you might even be visited by two massive German shepherds that live on the property and are as sweet as honey (and looking for snacks). La Divina’s location is one of the better ones in the valley in that it’s not as far out as some properties and its proximity to highway make it comfortable for popping into Ensenada for a meal or heading to one of the nearby wineries for a tasting. Despite being close to the highway you will hardly hear a sound, just the birds in the trees and a lone barking dog off in the distance in the evenings.
Because you are left to enjoy your privacy in the house don’t expect a lot of staff or extra fuss, this is a stay designed for people that want a luxurious escape without a bunch of unnecessary one-on-one. Being that as it may, Delia, the property manager of over 10 years, is well connected with the Valle community and has a long list of chauffeurs and tours and is happy to make restaurant reservations for guests. Plascencia’s nearby restaurants Finca Altozano and Lupe can also provide catering for the house. The internet is also fast and reliable as well making it a great place to stay if you need to get some work done or don’t want to be completely cut off from the world.
For the feel of a warm, inviting private home and the convenience of being close to both Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe’s wine route, La Divina is an excellent place to land. It’s especially good for groups. Nightly prices range from XX to XX for single rooms, and XX to XX for the entire house. Breakfast is include in the rate.
