ENSENADA, HIPPER THAN HIP!
By Jose Amate

“Why Ensenada?” Is the question I asked myself in the late 1980’s, when I began writing about moving from my home in “very hip” Berkeley, California to live full time in Ensenada. And now, 26 years later, a lot has changed. It is no longer the quiet village I found upon my arrival.

There were very few electric typewriters, much less the existence of computers back then. The clack of manual typewriters and the tearing of carbon paper were the most familiar Ensenada office sounds in the mid 80’s. My old IBM PC, I used only as a word processor, marveled my friends and colleagues.

By Hector Lara at MexicoMatters.

Located in the north part of the state of Baja California, the route of wine (sp. Ruta del vino) it enjoys the mediterranean weather, perfect for growing grapevines. There are just a few places in Mexico that combine these unique features: the altitude, seasons, weather, and temperature - without forgetting the love of the art of making wine.

The first colonies on this region where the Kiliwa and Kumiai cultures, followed by missionaries and Mexicans who opened the route to the arrival of immigrants from Russia, Europe and the rest of Mexico. All this influences helped to create a unique characteristic of the route of wine.

Valleys of Calafia, Guadalupe and San Antonio de las Minas are the hearth of the wine route that also extends to the north of Valle de las Palmas (en. Palms valley) and south to the valleys of Santo Tomas and San Vicente Ferrer.

Both wines white and red are made with lots of dedication starting from the grapes Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Souvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, while reds typically uses Cabernet ouvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Genache, Carignan, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Zinfandel.