Getting to Know Ensenada
On the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Ensenada has long been a convenient port of call for ships that must call on a foreign port before returning to the U.S. (as required by the Passenger Vessel Services Act, also known as the Jones Act). But, Ensenada – located on the Baja California peninsula – is more than a convenient stop. It has a lot to offer cruise passengers, especially those who enjoy wine. That’s because the Ensenada area has several Mediterranean-style microclimates. Warm daytime temperatures moderate when breezes come inland from the Pacific, creating temperature swings that are ideal for growing robust, flavorful grapes. Winemaking in the area began at least 200 years ago, when Dominican priests grew grapes at the old Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe del Norte mission. Today, several valleys around Ensenada are known for their wines, include Valle de Guadalupe, the Calafia Valley, the San Vicente Valley and the Santo Tomás Valley. Valle de Guadalupe alone accounts for more than...