Bodegas de Santo Tomas
Bodegas de Santo Tomas
4.5
About
Founded in 1888, Baja's oldest winery continues in the Santo Tomas Mission's wine-making tradition and offers visitors samples of wines, breads and cheeses.
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4.5
200 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
42
Average
25
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Caroline
Carlsbad, CA14 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
Great first time visit. The vineyards are Southeast of Ensenda, not in the Plaza. It was Saturday about 1pm in the afternoon and we were the only guests at first which was nice. It was a beautiful, warm summer day. They had oyster pairing vendors from La Paz, Mexico to showcase the new sparkling wine which was a delicious and vibrant pairing. The rest of the tastings were done inside the wine tasting room. We tried a couple of whites, the rose, and three reds. The gentleman host was mildly knowledgeable, but pleasant. We asked for the olive oil tasting, but he forgot about this and then moved on to other guests that arrived after we purchased four bottles of wine. We did not purchase olive oil as a result. There was no grounds tour whatsoever or explanation of the years of winery history there unfortunately. Such a bummer. This historical winery totally misses the mark on capturing the essence of everyone craving the history of their particular mark in wine making in that area. Also, a small tour of the grounds/distillery would be nice.
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kansasbird
Bucerias, Mexico281 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Santo Tomas was fantastic in every way. From the staff, to the amazing technology used in the historical presentation, to the delicious wine, everything was awesome. The grounds are also gorgeous. Don't miss this fabulous winery!
Written 19 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth D
Phoenix, Arizona, United States15 contributions
May 2012 • Solo
On the Carnival Inspiration stop in Encinada my son and I decided to skip the organized excursions and do our own tour. We took a taxi ($4) from the shuttle to this oldest winery in the area. The vineyards are now 15 miles away but the original buildings are still here.
This winery has 27 vintages and some have won double gold medals. They also make olive oils. We opted for the traditional wine tasting and tour for $13 per person. We saw the old warehouse with huge wooden barrels used to age the wine and where the bottles used to be corked by hand. The guide, Jamie, took just the two of us here and volunteered to take pictures of us with our cameras. He was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. He asked if we would be willing to wait a few minutes for the scheduled tour to arrive for the tasting and assured us we would get individual treatment.
When the Carnival tour bus showed up, they got the "young wines" and no warehouse tour. We got both the young and the traditional wines which Jamie brought to us at our little table (one of maybe three.) Samples of bread, cheese and olive oil were offered to all as well.
We bought some wine and olive oil and Jamie got us a taxi driver who took us all the way back to the ship to drop off the bottles for only $3.
This winery has 27 vintages and some have won double gold medals. They also make olive oils. We opted for the traditional wine tasting and tour for $13 per person. We saw the old warehouse with huge wooden barrels used to age the wine and where the bottles used to be corked by hand. The guide, Jamie, took just the two of us here and volunteered to take pictures of us with our cameras. He was very knowledgeable and spoke excellent English. He asked if we would be willing to wait a few minutes for the scheduled tour to arrive for the tasting and assured us we would get individual treatment.
When the Carnival tour bus showed up, they got the "young wines" and no warehouse tour. We got both the young and the traditional wines which Jamie brought to us at our little table (one of maybe three.) Samples of bread, cheese and olive oil were offered to all as well.
We bought some wine and olive oil and Jamie got us a taxi driver who took us all the way back to the ship to drop off the bottles for only $3.
Written 13 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PFL
Brookline, MA130 contributions
Wine tasting should entail a visit to wineries set out in the producing areas, by the common wisdom. So tasting in town seems to go against the grain. But in the case of Santo Tomas, make an exception. They are probably the best producers in the Valle de Guadalupe, and their in-town tasting room is convenient. They now charge a bit more than those in the Valle, but their quality is much higher and finer. Just next door is La Esquina de Bodegas Restaurante, excellent for lunch or dinner, set in part of the old winery production center, with an adjoining art gallery of local work. Charming. But be sure to visit the Valle itself, perhaps try one of the other wineries, visit the tiny museum that documents the Russians who settled the area and started the wine-making process in the late 1800s, stop on the way out or back on the only route (Route 3) about 20 miles from Ensenada at Restaurante Los Naranjas for a delightful lunch in a bucolic garden setting.
Written 30 December 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
12cgtv
San Diego, CA138 contributions
I have done the tour a couple of times ,it used to be 2 dollars ,The tour takes about 20 minutes and then some wine tasteing , I have read that the price is 5 dollars now, they have discount coupons around town 50 cents off.
Written 19 January 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TraderBo
San Diego, CA126 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
My wife and I visited the Santo Tomas Bodega in the heart of Ensenada and took the museum & wine tasting tour. The staff there is very nice. Because we went on a Tuesday, there were no crowds; in fact, it was just another couple and us. So we got a very personal service.
The museum is contained in a large warehouse and that part of the visit took just about 15 min's. You can take pictures of some interesting and old wine making equipment. We then moved on to the wine tasting itself. Our guide let us taste two whites, two reds and a port. Make sure you select the "old vines" tasting - that way you get to taste the best wines they have. He was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot about these excellent Mexican wines. It is amazing how much Mexican wines have improved in the past 30 years. I lived in Guadalajara 1982-84 and in those days Mexican wines were mainly of table wine quality. The wines today that are produced by e.g. Santo Tomas are really as good as anything you can find in top wine quality countries around the world. We also got to taste the olive oil they produce. We highly recommend a visit to this bodega and to taste their excellent wines!
The museum is contained in a large warehouse and that part of the visit took just about 15 min's. You can take pictures of some interesting and old wine making equipment. We then moved on to the wine tasting itself. Our guide let us taste two whites, two reds and a port. Make sure you select the "old vines" tasting - that way you get to taste the best wines they have. He was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot about these excellent Mexican wines. It is amazing how much Mexican wines have improved in the past 30 years. I lived in Guadalajara 1982-84 and in those days Mexican wines were mainly of table wine quality. The wines today that are produced by e.g. Santo Tomas are really as good as anything you can find in top wine quality countries around the world. We also got to taste the olive oil they produce. We highly recommend a visit to this bodega and to taste their excellent wines!
Written 3 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
firehorse352
Bonita Springs, FL106 contributions
Aug 2015
This is the Napa valley of Northern Baja California. If you enjoy wines and will be traveling through you will have over 150 winery's to choose from. There are such great views of the vines and surrounding mountains. This place was founded by Spanish Monks back in 1888. Now its one of the best wines in the area. They have three locations to choose from and each one is different vibe. Enjoy
Written 8 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiheiSands
Maui, HI224 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
I have to admit that I am not a wine drinker so my review of the wine is based on my husbands response to the tasting. The tasting room itself was beautiful and contemporary. The neighborhood leaves a lot to be desired but once inside you will be transported to the wonderful world of wine. We sampled two white and two reds. My husband who usually drinks only red Italian wine, said the wines were very good. He especially like the white, which he normally doesn't care for.
I on the other hand is a fan of the olive oil … what a huge surprise and wonderful treat. They have an oil that has won two gold medals in Milan, Italy. We sampled six different oils. mmm mmm good …
The staff was friendly and informative. The room clean, cool and modern. They were not pushy about buying their products, but they were passionate about the products. We left with wine and olive oil for both ourselves and gifts.
This is a must STOP and sample destination.
I on the other hand is a fan of the olive oil … what a huge surprise and wonderful treat. They have an oil that has won two gold medals in Milan, Italy. We sampled six different oils. mmm mmm good …
The staff was friendly and informative. The room clean, cool and modern. They were not pushy about buying their products, but they were passionate about the products. We left with wine and olive oil for both ourselves and gifts.
This is a must STOP and sample destination.
Written 27 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KPBTC
Albuquerque, NM50 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We popped in Santo Tomas' wine store for a tasting. It's not on a vineyard, and they no longer make wine at this location, but the store/tasting room is new and well appointed. We paid $16 for 8 pours (4 white, 3 red, and 1 port). We found the wines easy to drink and well priced. The gal pouring for us was knowledgeable and friendly. Nice experience all around.
Written 3 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
navigator53
La Quinta, CA109 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
Santo Tomas Winery, in the Santo Tomas Valley, 25 miles south of central Ensenada, offers a beautiful environment and a pleasant tasting room.
The tasting run $19.00 USD for five large tastings or you can buy individual bottles and drink on site. You can sit outside on tables or inside near the many racks of wine.
For about $8.00 USD, you can get a prosciutto, cheese and cracker plate. We did this and it was exceptional.
Santo Tomas is actually closer than Guadalupe Valley, and the road south now has a variety of new plantings and other tasting rooms.
This is an easy 3 hour excursion, you get to see some beautiful Baja countryside and see a side of Baja many will never experience.
If you want to add 3 more hours, take the road immediately across the highway from Santo Tomas to La Bocana, the river mouth on the coast. Pastoral, green and beautiful, the road ends at a fishing village. You can take a side road at the coast for about 3 miles and see the location of the colony made famous in the book "God and Mr Gomez". All fun!
The tasting run $19.00 USD for five large tastings or you can buy individual bottles and drink on site. You can sit outside on tables or inside near the many racks of wine.
For about $8.00 USD, you can get a prosciutto, cheese and cracker plate. We did this and it was exceptional.
Santo Tomas is actually closer than Guadalupe Valley, and the road south now has a variety of new plantings and other tasting rooms.
This is an easy 3 hour excursion, you get to see some beautiful Baja countryside and see a side of Baja many will never experience.
If you want to add 3 more hours, take the road immediately across the highway from Santo Tomas to La Bocana, the river mouth on the coast. Pastoral, green and beautiful, the road ends at a fishing village. You can take a side road at the coast for about 3 miles and see the location of the colony made famous in the book "God and Mr Gomez". All fun!
Written 24 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this place in Ensenada or outside the city? Also, is it still nice to visit even if we do not drink alcohol?
Written 30 June 2022
Hola Eduardo. El tour en Santo Tomás puede incluir visita a los viñedos, procesamiento del vino, visita a las instalaciones de Bodegas de Santo Tomás y para los adultos degustacion de vino o servicio de botanas (pan y queso) y vino de la casa. Me parece que también hay un paquete con cena incluida.
Written 19 September 2019
¿Vamos la próxima semana con un grupo de 20 personas, llegaremos directo a las bodegas, necesitamos reservaciones?
Written 27 April 2019
No nunca hay tanta gente como para hacerlo y la entrada es gratis
Written 1 July 2019
Saben si se requiere reservación previa, para 2 personas, para los recorridos y degustación?
Written 11 April 2019
squirek41
La Puente, California
Can you just stop by and buy some bottles of wine that you already know you love or do you have to have an appointment to to visit?
Written 15 September 2018
lilycarol16
Ciudad Obregon, Mexico
Hola buen día
Nos gustaría conocer las bodegas y los viñedos, que costo tiene, estando en Ensenada? Gracias!!
Written 19 August 2018
Si tu vas directo a la bodega a pedir el Tour, tiene un costo de $200 por persona y te incluye la degustación/cata de 4vinos. Seguro que si contratas a un prestador de servicios turisticos te costará mas
Written 20 August 2018
Me gustaria saber si ustedes estan vendiendo los boletos para la presentacion de Luis Miguel para el 20 de Ocubre 2018
Written 24 July 2018
We will be in Ensenada in Oct (2015) and would love to visit this winery but can't find any tours. Will a taxi take you out there? We are visiting for the day from a ship. The ship doesn't offer a tour to Bodegas de Santo Tomas and the Website is not functional. Help!
Written 18 September 2015
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